El Paso’s Amended Local Directive – What Can, Won’t Reopen

As I’m sure you’ve heard, Mayor Margo and County Judge Samaniego have lifted the local stay home, work safe order in accordance with Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order.

Beginning Friday, May 1, certain businesses will be allowed to reopen with restrictions and safety protocols, and some activities previously off-limits will no longer be. Here's a look at what businesses can reopen first, which city facilities will remain closed, and which mandates will expire.

Allowed to Reopen May 1

• Restaurants, retail stores, malls and movie theaters. But they will only be allowed to operate at 25% capacity and with safety protocols in place, including a mandate requiring face coverings for all employees.

• Churches and places of worship, with strict social distancing guidelines.

• Ascarate Park/Lake. Fishing, kayaking, golf and handball as long as social distancing practices maintained. The use of county park equipment will remain prohibited. Swimming pools and picnic areas will remain closed.

• Golf courses and Private tennis courts

To Remain Closed

• City parks, except for walking on designated walking paths.

• Public park playgrounds, tennis courts and basketball courts

• City museums and libraries. Although the governor said museums and libraries could reopen, the City of El Paso has chosen to keep them closed due to budgetary constraints.

Reopening Soon

• Hair salons, bars, barbershops, public swimming pools, massage establishments, interactive amusement venues, such as bowling alleys and video arcades, tattoo and piercing studios, and gyms. Abbott is hoping for "on or no later than mid-May" as long as the data does not show a spike in COVID-19 cases over the next two weeks.

Other Amendments of Note

UPDATE (5/1): City, county and health officials have amended the recently amended Emergency Directive referenced in this article. Face coverings are mandatory again. All individuals over the age of two are required to wear some form of face covering over their nose and mouth, while outside of their home or residence. Social gatherings of any number of people occurring outside or inside a single household or dwelling unit are prohibited again.

• Social gatherings are no longer prohibited (but remain strongly discouraged)

• Face coverings and face masks are recommended but no longer required when out in public. The mandate, however, is still in effect for employees of essential businesses, Retail-to-go operations and newly okayed to open businesses.