Declarations & Orders

End of Emergency Declaration

End of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration on May 11, 2023.  

What You Need to Know

  • Most tools, like vaccines, treatments, and testing, will remain available.
  • Metro Health’s ability to collect and share certain data will change.

For more information about the end of the PHE, visit the CDC website.

Past Declarations & Orders

Mayor's Emergency Declaration

The Declaration of Disaster and Public Health Emergency was issued in 2020 and indefinitely extended by City Council in June that same year.

Previous Addendums to Declaration No. 8

Previous Orders

Health Guidance for Schools

Health Directive for Schools in Bexar County(PDF, 150KB) - 10/01/2021

Previous Health Directives

The Health Directive provides guidance to school districts for phased restarting of in-person instruction.

Bexar County Executive Order 

Governor's Executive Order

Governor Greg Abbott has issued several Executive Orders detailing the ongoing plan to open businesses and activities in Texas. All newly opened businesses and services are subject to the recommended minimum standard health protocols outlined by DSHS.

Executive Orders Related to Opening the State of Texas

See below for information on key Executive Orders issued by Governor Greg Abbott related to the plan to open additional businesses and activities in Texas. See also the Coronavirus Executive Orders and Waivers page on the Governor’s website.

Previous Orders
  • On October 7, 2020, Gov. Abbot issued Executive Order GA-32 allowing outdoor events of 10 or more people if approved by the mayor.
  • On July 2, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued an updated Executive Order GA-28 regarding additional measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.
  • On July 2, 2020, Gov. Abbott issued Executive Order GA-29 relating to the use of face coverings.

More Information

Masking and Vaccination Status

Recent guidance from the CDC and mandates by Governor Abbott can lead to confusion about what the best steps are to take to protect ourselves and loved ones from COVID-19.

The San Antonio COVID-19 Community Response and Equity Coalition (CREC) encourages adherence to the CDC guidelines and has issued this statement regarding masking by vaccination status.

Statement on Masking and Vaccination Status(PDF, 184KB) - COVID-19 CREC 6/8/2021

Guidance on Essential Workers

The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) efforts in preparedness and readiness have facilitated a speedy, whole-of-government response in confronting COVID-19, keeping Americans safe, and helping detect and slow the spread of the virus.

Response Plan for Respiratory Viruses

Respiratory Viruses Response Plan: The Response Plan for Respiratory Viruses Having Pandemic Potential describes appropriate virus surveillance activities and responses for different levels of virus and other activity detected. The plan provides response activities for programs within Bexar County and the City of San Antonio along with planning partners.

Respiratory Viruses Plan(PDF, 1MB) - San Antonio Metro Health 5/5/2020

What YOU Can Do

Find out what YOU can do to protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19, what symptoms to watch for, and how to get tested. Find information about how San Antonio and Bexar County are reopening safely. Stay informed, get answers to your questions, and find ways to help in the community.

Where Can I Learn More?

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