Gov. Greg Abbott announced April 17 a plan for phased reopening of Texas businesses, a plan Williamson County will largely follow, County Judge Bill Gravell said.

In an interview with Community Impact Newspaper, Gravell said the county’s current stay-at-home order will remain largely unchanged, except it will adopt the state executive order's provisions for retail to go and for an ease on surgical procedures allowed.

The state said April 22 additional surgical procedures will be allowed, and retail stores will be allowed to open as “retail to go” as of April 24.

County officials said the county will likely follow suit.

The retail change will allow stores to reopen for pickup purposes only, and individuals cannot shop in store, Gravell made clear.


“Our small businesses in Williamson County have been devastated. This is an opportunity to help small business that have been knocked to their knees to begin getting on their feet,” Gravell said. “To have retail open for people to buy and work is important.”

Gravell said he appreciated the governor’s decisions and will continue to follow them as long as it is what is best for the county.

“I appreciate what [Gov. Abbott] has done and his leadership,” Gravell said. “The governor’s orders are exceptional and track exactly what our small business team is doing.”

On April 27, the governor's office will announce more ways to open Texas in a safe way, Gov. Abbott said.


Williamson County will remain under its “Stay Home Stay Safe” order until April 30.

As of April 17, Williamson County has 146 confirmed cases of coronavirus and four deaths.