Texas Gov. Greg Abbott orders schools to remain closed until Monday, May 4

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered schools in the state to remain closed until Monday, May 4 unless otherwise extended. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered schools in the state to remain closed until Monday, May 4 unless otherwise extended. Photo: Tom Fox /Associated Press Photo: Tom Fox /Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Texas Gov. Greg Abbott orders schools to remain closed until Monday, May 4 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered schools in the state to remain closed until Monday, May 4 unless otherwise extended.

Under the executive order Abbott issued Tuesday, which will be in place until April 30, Texans are expected to limit person interactions except for essential activities and services.

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State residents will not be required to shelter-in-place. Grocery stores, banks, hardware stores, and other essential businesses will remain open.

The order empowers any law enforcement officer in the state to impose its directives through fines, imprisonment or a quarantine order.

Abbott stressed the importance of physical activities like jogging, provided people follow social distancing measures. He said religious services should be conducted remotely or follow the distancing guidelines.

"Now is not the time for us to let up in these distancing efforts," Abbott said.

According to the governor, 41 people in Texas have died from COVID-19.

Abbott said 42,922 people have been tested for the virus, with 3,266 positive cases across 122 counties. Only 2.4 percent of the beds available for COVID-19 patients are currently occupied, he said.