Texas Governor Greg Abbott is easing several of the restrictions that had been placed on businesses to help limit the spread of COVID-19. New executive orders from the Governor will expand occupancy limits for restaurants, stores, gyms and offices. Bars will remain closed.
"With the medical advancements we have made and the personal hygiene practices we have adopted, Texans have shown that we can address both the health and safety concerns of COVID-19 while also taking careful, measured steps to restore the livelihoods that Texans depend on," Gov. Abbott said.
The new rules apply to regions where the hospitalization rate for COVID-19 patients is less than 15% for seven days in a row. Businesses that had previously been limited to 50% occupancy can now move to 75% capacity. The criteria means the new, larger capacity limits will apply to the North Texas region. The Governor says the new rules will take effect Monday, September 21st.
The Texas Restaurant Association is praising the Governor's announcement.
"We know that many restaurants will continue to struggle to reach the occupancy cap because of the social distancing requirements," said Texas Restaurant Association CEO Emily Knight. "However, we're also grateful that Texas is one of the handful of states that allow restaurants to use partitions to bring tables closer together while they still shield customers and keep them safe."
The Governor did not allow bars to re-open. He cited national data indicating that those businesses provide conditions where the virus can spread.
"Based on the information he had...he felt like because they're such hot spots that he wanted to keep them closed," said Stephen Love of the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council. "That's probably good advice."
The Governor also issued new rules for hospitals and nursing homes.
"Hospitals in those regions can return to ordinary elective surgical procedures. Additionally, all nursing home facilities, assisted living centers, state supported living centers and other long-term care facilities are allowed to re-open for visitation," Gov. Abbot said. Those facilities will have to comply with health protocols and be clear of any COVID-19 outbreaks. Long-term care facilities will be allowed to re-open to visitors on Thursday, September 24th.
Local hospital officials urge people to continue to follow social distancing guidelines and wear masks while in public because some recent factors could lead to an increase in cases.
"We still could have some impact from Labor Day," said Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council CEO Stephen Love. "Schools are opening. Now, we're opening more businesses...and I certainly understand why."
