Houston, Apr 25 (IANS): Retail businesses in the US state of Texas have reopened for the first time in weeks, as a slow reopening process have started amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the order issued by Texas Governor Greg Abbott last week, retail businesses can offer curbside pickup or delivery to their customers starting from Friday, reports Xinhua news agency.

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

ome shopping malls and restaurants across Texas opened on Friday but with some limitations.

First Colony Mall in Sugar Land announced on its website that some stores and restaurants will open with limited hours or by appointment only, while the Memorial City Mall in Houston said it will provide contact-free curbside pickup.

Retail shoppers in the state are following specific guidelines like purchasing items from a retail location for pickup without entering the premises.

Abbott said he will update the guidelines to gradually reopen businesses in the state.

As of Friday, the state reported more than 22,800 COVID-19 cases, with nearly 600 deaths, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

According to the Johns Hopkins University, 890,524 cases have been confirmed across the US, with 51,017 deaths.