TEXAS -- Gov. Greg Abbott has issued broad restrictions statewide to curb the spread of the coronavirus. In addition, the state health commissioner has declared a public health disaster in Texas, the first such declaration since 1901.

Abbott issued several executive orders, including all bars and restaurants be closed. Drive-thru and takeout orders are still permitted. In addition, he ordered all gyms be closed. Visits to nursing and retirement homes are not permitted unless they are part of critical care. Schools will also be shut down but that does not restrict districts from offering online learning.

“All jurisdictions must work to contain the spread of COVID-19 for at least the next two weeks,” Abbott said at a Thursday news conference. “We are doing this now today so that we can get back to business as usual more quickly.”

In addition, much like in Austin and other major Texas cities, social gatherings are restricted to 10 people.

The executive order goes into effect at midnight Friday and will remain in effect until April 3, but could be continued, he said.

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Abbott stressed that this is not a shelter-in-place order and that people may still shop for groceries and take care of banking, etc.

Texas Health and Human Services encourages all Texans in need of COVID-19 information and referrals to community resources to call the 2-1-1 Texas hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

“We can clearly see the trajectory that COVID-19 will follow. If not, effectively combated. There is now sound evidence that community based spread of COVID-19 has begun in Texas. COVID-19 is the greatest public health challenge in living memory,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services. 

The announcement comes after many local leaders across the state enacted similar rules, closing schools and shuttering small businesses. Melissa LeBaron, the founder and owner of Knockout Austin Kickboxing closed her gym this week. She told Spectrum News one of the most concerning issues for her is the impact on her staff and instructors. 

“We’re not in the best position to be able to close our business, in fact, it’s going to be catastrophic. We’re constantly looking at ways that I can save the business, that I can make sure that operating costs are getting taken care of in the meantime. No doubt this is going to be a whole new world when we're able to open back up again,” she said. 

LeBaron said instructors will also ramp up live streaming workout videos. As the business remains closed, LeBaron is urging the community to keep in mind, who they are isolating for. She said, like many, she has members in her family she is not prepared to lose and is encouraging her fighters to use the hashtag #whoimisolatingfor on social media.

“Every one single one of us is an individual who has a loved one that is at risk for getting COVID-19 and possibly not surviving it,” she said.