On July 3, 2020, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo issued an Outdoor Gatherings Order in accordance with Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order GA-28 and in response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases.

The order prohibits outdoor gatherings estimated to be in excess of 10 people. The prohibition includes the gathering of people for sales of real property, including foreclosure sales under Chapter 51 of the Texas Property Code, Chapter 34 of the Texas Property Tax Code, and Chapter 34 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

The exceptions to the prohibition include: (1) any services listed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in its Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce; (2) religious services; (3) local government operations; (4) child-care services; (5) youth camps; (6) recreational sports programs for youths and adults; (7) professional, collegiate, or similar sporting events; (8) swimming pools; (9) water parks; (10) museums and libraries; (11) zoos, aquariums, natural caverns, and similar facilities; (12) rodeos and equestrian events; and (13) amusement parks. The exceptions are all with the limitations imposed under Executive Order GA-28.

The order is effective until 11:50 p.m. on August 26, 2020, unless otherwise rescinded, superseded or amended.