AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF News) — Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order that requires bars to shut down, restaurants to limit capacity to 50 percent, and certain outdoor activities to be prohibited or require government approval.
The order issued Friday morning states all bars that make more than 51% of their gross receipts on alcohol sales must close at 12:00pm Friday. They may however remain selling alcoholic beverages to-go, as authorized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Restaurants will also be required to limit capacity to 50% beginning Monday, June 29. That is a drop from the 75% capacity that was previously in effect due to the Governor’s previous reopening plan.
Rafting and tubing businesses are also ordered to close. Any outdoor gatherings with 100 or more people must be approved by local governments.
“As I said from the start, if the positivity rate rose above 10%, the State of Texas would take further action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” Abbott said in a statement. “At this time, it is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars. The actions in this executive order are essential to our mission to swiftly contain this virus and protect public health.
“We want this to be as limited in duration as possible,” he continued. “However, we can only slow the spread if everyone in Texas does their part. Every Texan has a responsibility to themselves and their loved ones to wear a mask, wash their hands, stay six feet apart from others in public, and stay home if they can. I know that our collective action can lead to a reduction in the spread of COVID-19 because we have done it before, and we will do it again.”