John Tufts, San Angelo Standard-Times Published 7:20 p.m. CT April 24, 2020
Mark Pilon sprays disinfectant on a bus in the Concho Valley Transit fleet on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 as an enhanced measure against the coronavirus.(Photo: Colin Murphey / San Angelo Standard-Times)
Governor Greg Abbott announced April 17the Texas economy would reopen in stagesafter weeks of being shut down due to the coronavirus.
"Some businesses, if fully open without better distancing standards, would be more likely to set us back, rather than propel us forward," Abbott said April 17. "A more strategic approach is required to ensure we don't reopen only to have to shut down again."
On April 24, 2020, stores in the state will be allowed to reopen usinga "retail to-go" model, Abbott said. Reopened retailers willdeliver goods to customers' cars or homes, but customerswill not be able to go inside the stores.
Abbott said additional openings will be announced April 27after further input from advisers and medical professionals.
While Texas residents wait for officials to bring the state's economy fully back to life, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) continues to maintain an online list of essential services.
The list TDEM uses is based off recommendations by the Department of Homeland Security under 17 categories, which are:
On March 28, 2020, officials with the the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA),in collaboration with other federal, State and local governments, as well as the private sector, developedan Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce advisory list.
CISA Director Christopher C. Krebs said the list is advisory in nature.
"It is not, nor should it be considered, a federal directive or standard. Additionally, this advisory list is not intended to be the exclusive list of critical infrastructure sectors, workers, and functions that should continue during the COVID-19 response across all jurisdictions," Krebs stated.
Officials said local jurisdictions should add or subtract essential workforce categories based on their own requirements and discretion.
Electricity Industry
Petroleum Industry
Natural Gas, Natural Gas Liquids (NGL), Propane, and Other Liquid Fuels
Communications
Information Technology
More: OPINION: Texas leaders pen letter demanding expansion of Medicaid amid COVID-19 pandemic
John Tufts covers enterprise and investigative topics in West Texas. Send him a news tip atJTufts@Gannett.com. Consider supporting West Texas journalism with asubscription toGoSanAngelo.com.
Read or Share this story: https://www.gosanangelo.com/story/news/2020/04/24/essential-worker-texas-check-list-critical-jobs-critical-infrastructure-workforce/3012617001/
Read the original here:
Are you an essential worker in Texas? Check out this list of critical infrastructure jobs - Standard-Times