TEXAS - Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced he will allow his stay-at-home order for the state to expire on Thursday, starting the process to slowly return to normal after being rocked by the coronavirus pandemic.

The new order will allow businesses like retail stores, malls, restaurants and theaters to reopen Friday but will have limits occupancy to just 25%. The order will also allow libraries and museums to open.

His announcement comes as more states are planning to reopen their economies, despite health experts warning not to relax social distancing measures too early.

"Opening in Texas must occur in stages," Abbott said. "Obviously, not all businesses can open all at once on May 1."

Texas and its $1.8 trillion economy, second only to California in size, has been hit particularly hard by tumbling oil prices and the global pandemic.