AUSTIN, Texas — Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order that will prohibit gatherings of more than 10 anywhere in the state.
Included are bars, restaurants, food courts and gyms closed.
Drive-through service will be available for restaurants.
"We are doing this now today so we can get back to business as usual more quickly," Abbott said.
Abbott said the order reflected federal guidance and was necessary to "strangle" the expansion of coronavirus at the state level.
Abbott's announcement is a major shift after he spent days deferring to local officials on virus-related issues such as business and school closures.
Abbott has also issued visitor restrictions on nursing homes and all Texas schools will be closed from midnight Friday to April 3.