Your Favorite Bar Can Reopen October 14th

Back in August Governor Greg Abbott said bars might reopen if cases dropped below 10 percent in the state. They have been under that number, if just barely, since the start of September.

Then the TABC approved some emergency amendments in the meantime. They made it easier for select bars to qualify for a Food and Beverage certificate.

Businesses that have a 51% designation with TABC or that have not traditionally been considered a restaurant by TABC may apply to qualify as a restaurant under GA-28 and provide dine-in services.  - www.tabc.texas.gov

Now we have real relief in site for those bar patrons. Yesterday (Wednesday October 7th, 2020) Governor Greg Abbott outlined his plan for bars in Texas to open again at a 50% capacity limit. This will be the first time they are able to open since June.

Though the Governor gives bars the opportunity to open, it still relies on local county judges. Harris County, Bexar County, and Dallas County judges just to name a few, have already said that they won't reopen. The counties can open up their bars as early as October 14th, 2020. They provided guidance that you should wear a mask in between sips. You know like yelling in your friends face, since that is a thing that happens in loud bars.

Governor Abbot didn't stop there. He mentioned a wide array of activity based businesses that could start up again. Amusement parks, movie theaters, river tubing operations, movie theaters, and more will open up 50% to 75% capacity.

He went on to say that it doesn't mean that the we are done with COVID, but death rates keep falling, and he will be announcing further openings soon.

There are a lot of people who's livelihood relies on our area bars. I would like everyone to be safe from COVID, but I also feel for area bar owners having to go through this rough time.