Thursday, hospitals in North Texas reported 2,545 COVID-19 patients, occupying 15.5% of total capacity. That was the seventh consecutive day COVID-19 patients were using more than 15%, triggering an order by Governor Greg Abbott that bars close and other businesses limit capacity.
Restaurants, gyms, stores and offices are required to cut capacity from 75 to 50%. The limits will be in place until North Texas goes seven consecutive days with COVID-19 patients using less than 15% of hospital capacity.
While bars were ordered to close, many stayed open Thursday evening. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission says more than 2,800 bars across the state have reclassified themselves as restaurants since June, including 718 in North Texas.
In the Fort Worth Stockyards, visitors here to attend the National Finals Rodeo at Globe Life Field in Arlington say they were glad to see businesses open.
"Everybody wore their mask. Everything was so COVID-friendly," one woman from Oklahoma said. "It wasn't an issue for us at all."
"I think it's crazy people think there's nothing else going on in this world except COVID-19," a man from Waco said.
Bar owners have been able to reclassify themselves as restaurants by signing an affidavit reading alcohol sales make up less than 51% of sales. They could also obtain a food and beverage certificate and sell food from a truck or brought from other locations.
Restaurants are also adjusting to capacity limits. On the Near Southside of Fort Worth, Maggie's R&R opened in October. Owner Dave Garner says he has never come close to 50% of his sales coming from alcohol.
"That hasn't been an issue for us," he says. "We have a strong menu. We're selling lots of appetizers, lots of sandwiches and meals. Our lunch business is really good. It's very common to see people dining here on the weekend here, even while we have live music."
Garner says he was not much above 50% occupancy before the additional restrictions because he had spaced out tables in his dining room, and there was not much space for so many people. He says he would not want to find a way around the rules because most customers understand the limits and want them enforced.
"You can't be too aggressive because I think you'll end up shooting yourself in the foot," he says. "You really want to be responsible and do the right thing. That's what allows people to be comfortable, come back and use you frequently."
Maggie's R&R has a patio where people can dine. Garner says he is now adding heaters and a mesh screen to make people more comfortable eating outside in the winter.
"By this weekend, we'll have 15 or 20 outdoor tables after we get our heaters done and we get the wrap done," he says. "That's going to be a big improvement for us."
Hospitals must remain below 15% capacity used by COVID-19 patients for seven days before bars can reopen and other business can return to 75% capacity.
