Texas Coronavirus Updates: Southwest Airlines Announces Rare Quarterly Loss

The most important events on Tuesday:

• Southwest Airlines Announces First Quarterly Loss in Nearly 10 Years
• Texas reports 874 new cases of coronavirus and 27 additional deaths
• Despite the green light, some movie theater chains are waiting to reopen
• Trump praises Abbott’s moves to reopen Texas economy

Dallas sues salon owner who defied stay-at-home order

[5:29 p.m.] The city of Dallas is suing Shelley Luther, a local salon owner who reopened last week despite local orders to stay home and a city cease and desist letter, which she broke in a protest over the weekend. week.

Non-essential businesses like salons and hair salons have been closed in Dallas for over a month. Luther told ABC13 that she and her staff “can no longer stop working.”

Luther faces a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $ 1,000 or jail time not to exceed 180 days, according to an order from Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. – Stacy Fernández

Texas Democrats in Congress call on workforce commission to ease unemployment rules

[5:24 p.m.] Democrats in the Texas Congress are urging Governor Greg Abbott to waive the requirement that people apply for unemployment benefits every two weeks to receive their payments.

In a letter signed Tuesday, they said the exemption would reduce the amount of time it takes for the Texas Workforce Commission to process and manage payments, as layoffs and permits skyrocket to an unprecedented number.

“The Texas Workforce Commission appears to be still sinking under the weight of this crisis and leaving too many unemployed Texans without a lifeboat,” said Democratic Congressman Lloyd Doggett, chairman of the US House of Representatives Media Subcommittee. . USA “We can help keep the Commission afloat and keep more Texans on board by eliminating administrative burdens that delay much-needed support.”

Texans have reported difficulties accessing the website and long waits to reach representatives by phone, delaying much-needed payments. – Aliyya Swaby

Southwest Airlines Announces First Quarterly Loss in Nearly 10 Years

[2 p.m.] Southwest Airlines had its first quarterly loss in nearly a decade, the Dallas-based airline announced Tuesday.

Across the country, air travel was reduced by 95 percent, The Associated Press reported. Southwest expects revenue to drop at least 90 percent in April and May compared to the same period last year. Their planes are expected to be 10 percent full, according to a written statement from the airline.

“This is an unprecedented time for our nation and the airline industry,” said Gary Kelly, the airline’s president and CEO, in a written statement. “The United States economy has stagnated and current prospects for the second quarter of 2020 indicate that there is no substantial improvement in air travel trends.” – Stacy Fernández

Texas reports 26,171 cases and 690 deaths

[1 p.m.] Texas reported 874 more cases of the new coronavirus on Tuesday, an increase of about 3% from the previous day, bringing the total number of known cases to 26,171. Two new counties reported their first cases Tuesday; More than 80% of the state’s 254 counties have reported at least one case.

Harris County has reported the most cases, 5,827, followed by Dallas County, which has reported 3,105 cases. View maps of the latest case numbers for each county and case rates per 1,000 residents.

The state has reported 27 additional deaths, bringing the state total to 690, an increase of about 4% since Monday. Harris County reported five additional deaths, totaling 98 deaths, more than any other county.

As of Tuesday, 1,682 patients are known to have been hospitalized in Texas. That’s an increase of 119 patients since Monday. At least 300,384 tests have been performed. – Carla Astudillo

Despite the green light, some movie theater chains are waiting to reopen

[11:32 a.m.] While Governor Greg Abbott gave theaters the go-ahead to reopen on Friday, some of the state’s largest theater chains said they would not open this weekend.

“Opening Safely is a very complex project involving countless new procedures and equipment, all of which require extensive training. This is something that we cannot and will not do casually or quickly. ” Alamo Drafthouse Cinema tweeted.

Businesses that reopen on Friday (retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and shopping malls have obtained approval to reopen in Texas) must operate at 25% of their capacity, Abbott said. AMC Theaters and Cinemark said they hope to reopen in the summer when blockbusters such as Disney’s “Mulan” and Warner Brothers “Tenet” are slated for release, Deadline reported.

“In order to open, we also need a regularly scheduled line-of-sight of new theatrical box office hits that excite people to return to their favorite theaters,” AMC Theaters said in a statement. – Stacy Fernández

Trump praises Abbott’s moves to reopen Texas economy

[9 a.m.] In a tweet this morning, President Donald Trump praised Governor Greg Abbott for taking steps to reopen the state’s economy, which will be phased in and begin Friday.

“Texas will open phased businesses beginning Friday,” the president wrote. “Great work done by @GregAbbott_TX”.

On Monday, Abbott announced that the state’s stay-at-home policy would expire at the end of the month. Texas is opening restaurants, movie theaters, retail stores, shopping malls, museums and libraries to 25% of capacity.

Abbott said White House coronavirus adviser Deborah Birx said the Texas reopening plan “was great.”

Trump’s eulogy today comes as some of Texas’ hardline conservatives agitate for a faster reopening process. But in some cases, a hasty reopening has sparked a reprimand from the president. Last week, Trump criticized Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for allowing the reopening of bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, gyms, nail and hair salons, and restaurants.

“I want them to open,” Trump said of the companies, “and I want them to open as soon as possible and I want the state to open.” But he was not happy with Brian Kemp. I’ll tell you that. “- Alex Samuels

Disclosure: Southwest Airlines and Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a non-profit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in Tribune journalism. Find a complete list of them here.