Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday shut down schools until at least May 4 and issued a statewide order that restricts operations of some businesses as the state continues to battle a growing pandemic.

The order marks Abbott’s most far-reaching restrictions yet to guard against the novel coronavirus.

It is not officially a stay-at-home order and Abbott resisted use of that term Tuesday, but it has many of the features of such orders and delineates which types of businesses can remain open — including churches, offering the possibility of limited Easter services.

“In short, what this provides is that Texans are expected to limit personal interactions that can lead to the spread of COVID-19 while also still having the freedom to conduct daily activities, such as going to the grocery store, so long as you are following the presidential standard of good distancing practices,” Abbott said at a press conference at the Texas Capitol.

Abbott’s order largely defines essential businesses in line with what President Donald Trump announced Sunday. The federal guidelines recommend that people stay six feet away from each other and do not gather in groups of more than 10. They also call for older people and those with preexisting health issues to remain isolated.

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Texas is one of at least 18 states that have not issued a stay-at-home order, according to the National Governor’s Association. Of those, Texas is the largest state yet without one.

Abbott classifies religious services at churches and other houses of worship as essential — in conflict with several counties’ orders, including the one in Harris, which prompted a GOP activist and pastors to file suit Monday.

Abbott said the order overrides any put in place by local governments that are inconsistent with it, though cities and counties are free to issue stricter provisions in areas not mentioned in the statewide order, if they choose.

“To the extent, for example, that religious services are permitted, as specified in this executive order, they cannot be denied by a local ordinance or local order,” Abbott said. “However, to the extent that there are things that are not mentioned in this order, it still gives local jurisdictions the latitude to establish their own rules.”

If religious services can’t be conducted from home or remotely, the order states they can be held in person if congregants use social distancing and other cleanliness guidelines recommended by Trump and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Abbott added Tuesday that “drive-up services,” where congregants would remain in their cars, which some churches plan to use this Easter, would “satisfy the criteria that we’re talking about.”

Jared Woodfill, the attorney for the plaintiffs in the case challenging Harris County’s order, extolled Abbott's new order as protecting the “sanctity of the First Amendment.” He also accused Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo of picking “winners and losers” by restricting church gatherings.

“It's ridiculous,” he said. “I come into contact with more people at H-E-B than I do at these small churches.”

Josh Ellis, head of Houston's association of Southern Baptist churches, declined to comment on Abbott's order. But Ellis did advise churches to continue suspending in-person services.

“Ministry is essential, and continues, while continuing to keep the most people safe,” he said.

Some Democratic groups said Tuesday that Abbott’s order didn’t go far enough, while others expressed support.

“His press conference today was confusing at times, but we believe it amounts to a step in the right direction,” said Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, adding that this was essentially the stay-at-home order that the group had requested last week. “This can serve as a good baseline for counties that had none in place, even if it it’s less than what other counties have already done.”

Health experts have said that cohesive stay-at-home orders are most effective in stopping the spread of an infectious disease like COVID-19.

Hours before Abbott spoke on Tuesday, the Texas Hospital Association and Texas Nurses Association had urged him to impose an official statewide policy, saying it would send a clear message about the seriousness of the threat” and ultimately save lives.

The governor’s order pertaining to schools is more clear.

In Bexar County, all traditional public schools had already delayed their return to in-person classes, most until April 27, and have cautioned that they might not return this school year. Charter networks IDEA and KIPP have said they would remain closed indefinitely.

All Houston-area public school districts have been closed for at least two weeks. Nearly all districts have announced closures that would extend through at least April 10, though local education leaders warned that in-person classes likely would remain suspended beyond that date.

Houston and San Antonio students continue to receive instruction through online lessons and paper packets, while teachers and other school employees are still working from home. Many districts across both regions also are providing free meals to children throughout the shutdown.

Krista Torralva contributed reporting from San Antonio.