County Judge Reopens Canyon Lake — but Not Tourism Industry — for Business

Comal County Judge Sherman Krause said on Wednesday he will follow Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s blueprint for reopening the state by allowing the county’s Stay Home/Stay Safe order to expire tomorrow, April 30.

Area retail stores and restaurants, among other establishments, can reopen at 25-percent of their occupant capacity.

However, the governor’s signed orders, which he outlined in a press conference on Monday, do not address Comal County’s local tourism industry.

The county said in a press release today it is seeking clarification from his office on whether those businesses can reopen.

“Throughout this process, our goal has been to follow the governor’s orders and clarify them where necessary for situations unique to Comal County,” Krause said. “Therefore, our order will expire as scheduled on Thursday, and the county will continue to follow the governor’s direction.”

Abbott’s order keeps his initial list of essential services and activities while adding a second list of previously nonessential businesses that can reopen with certain restrictions. Any business not included in either list is encouraged to apply for inclusion on the list of essential services and activities through the Texas Division of Emergency Management, he said.

If businesses in the unincorporated areas of Comal County, as well as those in the cities of Spring Branch and Garden Ridge, are uncertain of their official occupancy, the Comal County Fire Marshal’s Office is available to help them determine that number. Business owners can call 830-643-3748.

The governor’s order did not affect social-distancing standards except in some limited circumstances, such as playing golf or tennis.

Dr. Dorothy Overman, Comal County’s health authority, stressed the importance of maintaining social-distancing measures as the county begins to restart its economy.

“As local businesses begin to reopen, we should remember that the coronavirus is not gone from our community,” she said. “The numbers of cases and deaths do appear to be improving in Texas, but a resurgence of cases could occur. I encourage all of our residents to continue good hand hygiene, social distancing and wearing facial coverings in public. All of these measures are working to protect all of us, especially our older population, those who have compromised immune systems, and those who have underlying health conditions putting them at greater risk.”

Click here to review Krause’s April 3 Stay Home/Stay Safe order.

Full text of the governor’s order is available on the county’s COVID-19 webpage, www.comalcountytx.com/covid19.