Governor activates Texas National Guard in response to COVID-19
AUSTIN – Gov. Greg Abbott today, Tuesday, March 17, activated the Texas National Guard to be prepared to assist with response efforts for COVID-19.
The preparative measure will ensure that the Texas National Guard can assist in various forms throughout the state when needed. Healthcare workers and first responders who are members of the Texas National Guard are excluded from this activation so that they can continue serving the people of Texas in their respective fields.
“By activating the Texas National Guard, we are ensuring Texas is prepared as we continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Abbott. “I am grateful to the men and women of the National Guard for their dedication to serving their fellow Texans, and want to assure the public that this is a precautionary measure to make sure the Texas National Guard has the capability to serve at a moment’s notice where they are needed most.”
However, “no National Guard need to be deployed at this time,” Abbott said, according to a report from the Texas Tribune. Abbott made the announcement at the State Operations Center in Austin, at the start of a video conference with Texas hospitals.
