Exhibit 8
Governor Abbott Issues Executive 

Orders To Mitigate Spread Of COVID-19 

In Texas

March 19, 2020 | Austin, Texas | Proclamation

WHEREAS, the novel coronavirus (COVD-19) has been recognized globally as a 

contagious respiratory virus; and

WHEREAS, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on 

March 13, 2020, certifying that COVJD-19 poses an imminent threat of disaster 

for aH counties in the state of Texas; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 continues to spread and to pose an increasing, imminent 

threat of disaster throughout Texas; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised 

that person-to-person contact heightens the risk of COVID-19 transmission; and

WHEREAS, the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America, as promulgated 

by President Donald J. Trump and the CDC on March 16, 2020, call upon 

Americans to slow the spread of COVID-19 by avoiding social gatherings in groups 

of more than 10 people, using drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options at restaurants 

and bars, and avoiding visitation at nursing homes, among other steps; and

WHEREAS, the Texas Department of State Health Services has now determined 

that, as of March 19, 2020, COVID- 19 represents a public health disaster within 

the meaning of Chapter 81 of the Texas Health and Safety Code; and

Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott

Flag Status: Full-Staff Español Contact

Home Governor 

Abbott

First 

Lady Initiatives News Organization

Home News Governor Abbott Issues Executive Orders To Mitigate Spread Of COVID-19 In Texas ()
WHEREAS, under the Texas Disaster Act of 1975, “[t]he governor is responsible 

for meeting . . . the dangers to the state and people presented by disasters” 

(Section 418.001 of the Texas Government Code), and the legislature has given 

the governor broad authority to fulfill that responsibility.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, by virtue of the power and 

authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas, do 

hereby order the following on a statewide basis effective 11:59 p.m. on March 20, 

2020, and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on April 3, 2020, subject to extension 

thereafter based on the status of COVID-19 in Texas and the recommendations of 

the CDC:

Order No. 1 - In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, 

every person in Texas shall avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 

people.

Order No. 2 - In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, 

people shall avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts, or 

visiting gyms or massage parlors; provided, however, that the use of drive-thru, 

pickup, or delivery options is allowed and highly encouraged throughout the 

limited duration of this executive order.

Order No. 3 - In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, 

people shall not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities 

unless to provide critical assistance.

Order No. 4 - In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, 

schools shall temporarily close.

This, executive order does not prohibit people from visiting a variety of places, 

including grocery stores, gas stations, parks, and banks, so long as the necessary 

precautions are maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. This 

executive order does not mandate sheltering in place. All critical infrastructure will 

remain operational, domestic travel will remain unrestricted, and government 

entities and businesses will continue providing essential services. For offices and 

workplaces that remain open, employees should practice good hygiene and, 

where feasible, work from home in order to achieve optimum isolation from 

COVD-19. The more that people reduce their public contact, the sooner COVID-19 

will be contained and the sooner this executive order will expire.
This executive order supersedes all previous orders on this matter that are in 

conflict or inconsistent with its terms, and this order shall remain in effect and in 

full force until 11:59 p.m. on April 3, 2020, subject to being extended, modified, 

amended, rescinded, or superseded by me or by a succeeding governor.

Given under my hand this the 19th day of March, 2020.

Governor Greg Abbott

Home Governor 

Abbott

First 

Lady Initiatives News Organization Contact

Office of the Texas Governor

P.O. Box 12428

Austin Texas 78711

(512) 463-2000

Employment Where the 

Money Goes

Site Policies TRAIL Search

Accessibility Texas Veterans 

Portal

Report Fraud Texas.gov

Site Map RSS Feed

View the executive orders