DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – Three more Dallas businesses have had their alcohol licenses suspended for violating statewide COVID-19 restrictions.
According to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the most recent statewide sweep of more than 1,700 bars and restaurants by TABC agents resulted in 30-day suspensions for eight businesses found in violation of the state’s COVID-19 protocols.
TABC agents continue to take part in Operation Safe Open, inspecting businesses to ensure they’re following state standards to slow the spread of the coronavirus. These requirements include indoor customer capacity limits of 50% for bars and 75% for restaurants, along with social distancing of at least 6 feet between groups of customers. In Texas counties with high hospitalization rates, the standards are even more stringent.
Agents conducted 1,715 inspections over the last week, including 427 in the city of El Paso, where additional agents were deployed last week to assist with compliance operations. In addition to the eight suspensions, 43 other businesses received warnings. El Paso is in a Trauma Service Area where high hospitalization rates have been reported. Bars in the city are not allowed to open, and restaurants can only have 50% capacity.
“These violations represent a very small number of the more than 20,000 licensed businesses inspected by TABC since the beginning of May,” TABC Chairman Kevin J. Lilly said. “A large majority of business owners are showing their commitment to keeping customers and employees safe, and we’re grateful for all of their hard work. TABC is committed to assisting the industry as we all work for a safe Texas.”
The businesses issued an emergency order for a 30-day permit suspension are:
El Paso
Rockstar Burger Bar
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Amarillo
Bodega’s
Lubbock
Kong’s
Dallas
CJ’s Billiard
IdleRye (doing business as Bitter End/Wok Hard Deep Ellum)
El Globo Taqueria Restaurant
College Station
The Corner
TABC is strictly monitoring bar and restaurant activity and will pursue emergency license suspensions if there are violations that threaten public health and safety. TABC has the authority to suspend any license that poses a continuing threat to the public welfare. The first infraction may result in up to a 30-day license suspension, and the second may result in up to a 60-day suspension.
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