Dozens of families crowd into restaurant patio seating in small Texas town where mayor reopened businesses before Gov. Abbott lifted coronavirus restrictions (18 Pics)

Dozens of families flocked to restaurant patios Saturday in a small Texas town that decided to reopen some businesses ahead of Gov. Greg Abbott scheduled April 27.

The city of Colleyville was among the first in the country to reopen restaurants - patio dining only - following COVID-19 closures. The move was authorized by a controversial proclamation by Mayor Richard Newton.

The town has a population size of roughly 26,000.

Diners can be seen waiting for tables at Gloria's Latin Cuisine in Colleyville. Several of them are not wearing masks or any form of protective covering.

The city of Colleyville was among the first in the country to reopen restaurants - patio dining only - following COVID-19 closures. Patrons line up a Gloria's Latin Cuisine to dine

Masks did not appear to be the norm for folks that were not staff at some of the restaurants. Even the employee in this picture is not wearing gloves

The move to eat on the patios was authorized by a controversial proclamation by Mayor Richard Newton.

Some patrons did sport masks as they waited to be seated and even as they sat at their tables. But masks soon came off once food became available for consumption.

And even when eating meals, folks did not appear to take many safety or health precautions before dining on their food.

Some patrons did sport masks as they waited to be seated and even as they sat at their tables. But masks soon came off once food became available for consumption.

A woman claiming to have eaten at the establishment said that staff did wear masks and gloves while they served customers. However the woman did describe people as being 'too close' in the waiting area, adding that they were not six feet apart.

Photos show employees at various dining establishments sporting masks and gloves as they carry food to diners.

In his announcement to reopen on Friday, Richard Newton included a handful of instructions including;

Even when eating meals, folks did not appear to take many safety or health precautions before dining on their food

Folks dine outside of a restaurant without wearing any masks. There are four people at one table

Some diners did sit in areas that were more secluded than others

People can dine at restaurants but only on outdoor patios that have spaced-out tables.

Religious services on-site are no longer prohibited, providing that physical distancing still applies.

He also said that services conducted through remote/virtual methods are encouraged.

One-on-one visits to gyms and personal trainers are allowed through appointment only if people wear PPE.

Fitness classes can happen with a maximum of 10 students, practicing social distancing.

Retail stores can open if they allow one customer at a time on an appointment-only basis.

Newton said he made the decision while he was staring at a collection of empty outdoor restaurant tables while eating take-out food in his car

Some families were still taking orders home when they got to the restaurant

Folks waiting to be seated wait in the parking lot with lawn chairs. Some wear masks

As of Saturday, Texas has more than 24,000 cases of the corona virus. A woman uses her phone while dining

People did not appear to be adhering to social distancing guidelines while standing in line for tables

There is one person per 200 square feet of retail space excluding employees.

'Hands-on' services like nail salons, massage parlors or other beauty services are allowed on a 'one-on-one' basis and so long as all appointments are contained to one per 200 sq ft.

Newton said he made the decision while he was staring at a collection of empty outdoor restaurant tables while eating take-out food in his car.

'Why shouldn’t I be able to sit at that table and eat?

'Most of the businesses in Colleyville are small, locally owned. It’s the smaller guys that are really getting killed. As long as the data supports it, we want to give them the opportunity,' he told The Los Angeles Times.