AUSTIN, Texas (KLTV) - During his press conference Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, and tanning salons may re-open on Friday if they adhere to the state guidelines that are designed to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Abbott held the press conference in the auditorium of the State Capitol on Tuesday.

According to the governor, employees at the businesses and their customers are strongly urged to wear face masks and practice social distancing as much as possible when they are interacting with each other. Abbott also said that these businesses should operate by appointment only and that employees of the businesses should only work with one customer at a time.

Abbott encouraged people to wait outside in their vehicles if at all possible. He added that if people feel the need to wait inside the business, they need to practice social distancing and stay at least six feet apart from each other.

The governor stressed that owners of hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, and tanning salons have the option of re-opening on Friday. Adding that he understands that some business owners may not feel safe about re-opening, Abbott said they aren’t required to re-open on that date

Later in the press conference, Abbott said that he has been talking to healthcare experts and the owners of Texas gyms and yoga studios. He said these fitness-related businesses may re-open on May 18 if they work under the state-mandated constraints. Gyms and yoga studios will be allowed to open up to 25 percent of their capacity. However, their showers and locker rooms must remain closed.

Abbott said that gym owners and managers will be required to sanitize their facilities before and after they open each day.