Information for communities and other specific groups on how to prepare and take action for COVID-19 can be found below.

Governor Abbott has issued several Executive Orders opening businesses and activities in Texas. Additional information on recommended minimum standard health protocols and other guidance can be found on the Opening the State of Texas page.

On this page:

Information on how to take care of yourself and others at home if sick can also be found on the CDC website:

What to Do If You Are Sick (CDC) Caring for Someone at Home (CDC)

For tips on cleaning and disinfecting your home, see the CDC and TCEQ websites:

Disinfecting Your Home (CDC) Disposal of Contaminated Waste (TCEQ)

See also the CDC Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes.

For information on COVID-19 and children as well as tips for keeping kids healthy while school is out, see the CDC website:

Caring for Children (CDC) Tips to Keep Kids Healthy (CDC)

For information on mail handling and preventing the spread of COVID-19, see the DSHS Interim Guidance for Mail Handling (PDF, V.2.0, updated 5/23/2020).

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Schools

Childcare programs, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions can find interim guidance for the COVID-19 response on the CDC website:

CDC Guidance for Child Care & K-12 Schools

CDC Guidance for Institutes of Higher Education (IHE)

CDC Considerations for School Closure

School administrators may adapt this letter template for sending a notice to parents of a COVID-19 case in the school:

Note: DSHS is seeking approval for waivers of certain DSHS program requirements in response to COVID‑19. Check the DSHS‑Related Waivers page for a current listing of active waivers.

DSHS distributed guidance to Texas higher education institutions, school districts, and state agencies (PDF) on February 3, 2020.

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Pets & Other Animals

Information about animals and COVID‑19, including guidance for veterinary clinics, can be found on the CDC and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) websites:

Pets & Other Animals (CDC) Pets & Livestock (TAHC)

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Local Jurisdictions

City, county, and district officials can review recommendations for their local COVID‑19 response in the DSHS COVID‑19 Guidance for First Responders and Local Jurisdictions (PDF, V.1.0, posted 4/08/2020).

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Critical Infrastructure Workers

Interim guidance for critical infrastructure workers who may have been exposed to COVID‑19 can be found on the CDC website:

CDC Guidance for Critical Infrastructure Workers

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Event Coordinators

Community leaders and event coordinators can find guidance for large events and gatherings on the CDC website:

CDC Guidance for Large Events

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Community & Faith-Based Organizations

Community and faith leaders can find resources for the COVID-19 response on the CDC website:

CDC Resources for Community & Faith Leaders

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Community Mitigation Strategies

Actions for protecting communities from COVID-19 can be found on the CDC website:

Community Mitigation (CDC) Mitigation Strategies for Local Transmission (CDC)

Communities, Schools, Workplaces, & Events (CDC) Preventing Spread in Various Community Settings (CDC)

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Retirement Communities & Independent Living

Information and resources for planning, preparing, and responding to COVID-19 in retirement communities and independent living environments can be found on the CDC website:

CDC Resources for Retirement Communities & Independent Living

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High-Risk Individuals

Information and resources for people who need extra precautions and/or who are at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 can be found on the CDC and DSHS websites:

People Who Need Extra Precautions (CDC) Individuals with Chronic Conditions (DSHS)

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Day Habilitation Sites

Administrators and staff can review recommended protocols in the DSHS Checklist for Day Habilitation Sites (PDF, V.1.0, released 6/11/2020).

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People with Disabilities

Information about COVID-19 for people with disabilities can be found on the CDC website:

CDC Resources for People with Disabilities

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Parents, Pregnant Women, and Children

See the CDC website for COVID-19 considerations for parents, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, along with tips to keep kids healthy while school is out:

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding (CDC) Care for Breastfeeding Women (CDC)

Caring for Children (CDC) CDC Tips to Keep Kids Healthy

For Parents: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 (CDC)

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Disaster Shelters

DSHS has compiled the following guidance for Texas mass care entities, emergency management officials, shelter managers, and shelter staff during the COVID-19 pandemic:

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People Experiencing Homelessness & Homeless Shelters

Homeless service providers and people experiencing homelessness can find resources for planning, preparing for, and responding to COVID-19 on the CDC website:

CDC Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness

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Transportation Organizations

Transportation and transit providers can review recommendations for their COVID-19 response in the DSHS COVID‑19 Guidance for Texas Transportation Organizations (PDF, V.1.0, posted 3/31/2020).

Guidance for mail and parcel delivery drivers can be found on the CDC website:

What Delivery Drivers Need to Know about COVID-19 (CDC)

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Correctional & Detention Facilities

Interim guidance for managing COVID-19 in correctional and detention facilities can be found on the CDC website:

CDC Guidance for Correctional & Detention Facilities

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Funerals & Funeral Homes

DSHS has compiled the following guidance regarding funerals and funeral homes in response to COVID-19:

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