Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas

Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas

The timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas details the sequence of events and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Texas, United States. The pandemic has had significant impacts on public health, the economy, and daily life in Texas.

January 2020

In January 2020, the first cases of COVID-19 were identified in the United States. Texas began monitoring the situation closely, with health officials preparing for potential cases in the state.

February 2020

Lackland Air Force Base, where evacuees were quarantined

On February 7, 2020, Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio was designated as a quarantine site for American evacuees from Wuhan, China. The first group of evacuees arrived on February 17, and they were quarantined for 14 days.

March 2020

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, a major hub affected by travel restrictions

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Texas was reported on March 4, 2020, in Fort Bend County. By mid-March, the virus had spread to multiple counties, prompting Governor Greg Abbott to declare a state of disaster on March 13, 2020.

On March 19, 2020, Governor Abbott issued an executive order limiting social gatherings to 10 people, closing schools, and restricting nursing home visits. This marked the beginning of widespread public health measures in the state.

April 2020

Panic buying in Texas during the early stages of the pandemic

In April, Texas saw a surge in COVID-19 cases, leading to increased testing and the establishment of mobile testing sites. The Texas National Guard was deployed to assist with testing efforts.

May 2020

On May 1, 2020, Texas began a phased reopening of businesses under the "Open Texas" plan. Restaurants, retail stores, and malls were allowed to operate at 25% capacity, with strict health guidelines in place.

June 2020

By June, Texas experienced a significant increase in COVID-19 cases, leading to concerns about hospital capacity. Governor Abbott paused further reopening plans on June 25, 2020, and reimposed restrictions on bars and gatherings.

July 2020

Texas National Guard supporting mobile testing teams

In July, Texas became one of the states with the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country. Mask mandates were implemented in most counties, and local governments were given the authority to enforce restrictions.

August 2020

The state continued to battle high case numbers in August, with schools preparing for the new academic year. Many districts opted for virtual learning to start the school year.

September 2020

In September, Texas began to see a decline in new cases, allowing for some easing of restrictions. Bars were allowed to reopen at 50% capacity in regions with low hospitalization rates.

October 2020

Map showing stay-at-home orders in the USA, including Texas

As of October 2020, Texas continued to monitor COVID-19 trends closely, with health officials urging residents to follow public health guidelines to prevent a resurgence of cases.

Related pages

• COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
• COVID-19 pandemic
• Public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic