Texas: The Official Stance for Construction

Construction Status: Essential
Orders/Effective From: Executive Order on Reopening/May 19, 2020

With construction deemed essential for energy projects, housing, and infrastructure, the stay at home orders are extended untill April 30, 2020. Though sticking with a stay at home guidelines, a new order was released in which Governor Abbott has three new executive orders lifting many restrictions on work, travel, and retail, etc.

As per the recent reports, Governor Abott has announced updated executive order to reopen the state following the previous reopening update of May 19, 2020. Along with the reopening, Governor Abott has also released various guidelines on health protocols related to reopening.

Governing Body: The Office Of Governor Greg Abbott  ​

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Questions about Construction during COVID-19?

Though COVID-19 has severely affected the United States, bringing a lot of restrictions and orders on continuing construction, the most significant information people seek is all about the status of construction in different states. During these times of emergency, being a solution provider on schedule software for construction, ProjectPro brings you the list of frequently asked questions that can help sustain and navigate construction business amid crises.  If there is anything we have not included or missed, please reach our team.

FAQs: Status of Construction

How construction is addressed in the state?
Leaning on CISA Guidelines, construction in Texas is deemed as an essential service in the statewide orders.

However, the different counties had a different perspective on construction. For instance, Austin County has considered construction of affordable housing only as essential. However, San Antonio County has considered both residential and commercial construction as essential.
Following the guidelines of CISA memorandum, the building supply chain workers and the hardware stores are permitted to function, along with essential workforces such as electricians, plumbers, and other essential construction workers. However, the rules may vary for local or county orders and therefore must be checked or referred with the orders of local authorities.
•City of Longview
•Amarillo County
•Bell County
•Bexar County
•Brazoria County
•Cameron County
•Chambers County
•Collin County
•Dallas County Extended to May 15
•Denton County
•El Paso County
•Ellis County
•Fort Bend County
•Galveston County
•Gregg County
•Harris County
•Hays County
•Hidalgo County
•Hunt County
•Kaufman County
•Liberty County
•McLennan County
•Nacogdoches County
•Nueces County
•Polk County
•Robertson County
•Rockwall County
•San Jacinto County
•Scurry County
•Smith County
•Starr County
•Tarrant County
•Travis County
•Willacy County
•Williamson County
Yes, the Government of Texas has announced workplace guidelines Under these guidelines, construction firms must ensure that they stick with all the safety protocols as well as precautionary measures that can help mitigate exposure
Yes, the data related to contracts, expenses, estimated delivery, job schedules, etc. would track project progress and interruption in order to reduce project losses due to COVID-19. However, it will be easier for construction firms who have a robust project management and accounting software in place.

If you would like to know more about how ProjectPro could help you reduce losses due to project interruptions during COVID-19, Schedule a demo today!
Construction could be kept open amid COVID-19 by practicing the safety measures at the site. The workers need to ensure that they keep a safe six-foot distance at work. Moreover, the employers need to make sure that sites are completely sanitized and there should be a proper arrangement to avoid illness. These steps could include providing safety gear to the workers, sanitizing the site frequently, etc.
To counter the economic stability in the state of Texas, the government has provisioned lending programs under SBA. However, this may need construction firms to confirm their eligibility under the PayCheck Protection Program. Moreover, the contractors and construction firms could reach state and local authorities to inquire about any insurance or lending programs available at the State level.
In order to benefit from Force Majeure protections, activity data regarding resources, financials and project status should be tracked using a robust construction accounting software and submitted to the governing officials to demonstrate project delays and incurred expenses due to COVID-19.
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