Houston, Apr 18 (IANS): Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a series of executive orders, setting timeline to reopen the US state in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The three new executive orders issued by Abbott on Friday aimed at kick-starting the process of reopening the state while monitoring coronavirus trends, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to the orders, retail businesses will be allowed to offer curbside pickup or delivery to their customers starting from April 24.

Abbott said employers who are required to be in a store should maintain strict social distancing and face mask standards.

Starting from April 20, state parks will reopen but visitors must maintain social distancing standards and wear face masks.

Abbott also said that medical experts have concluded that schools cannot safely reopen at this time.

Therefore, all schools, including higher-education institutions, will stay closed for the remainder of the school year.

"We have shown that Texas can continue our efforts to contain COVID-19 while also adopting safe standards that will allow us to begin the process of reopening Texas," said Abbott.

Within these orders, Abbott also established the Strike Force to Open Texas-a team of medical experts and private and public leaders who will advise the governor on safely and strategically reopening the state.

The strike force will immediately begin providing input on potential additional openings of activities and services in Texas consistent with guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).