Many Texas Businesses Must Return to 50% Occupancy Levels As of Saturday December 5th, Due to COVID-19 Hospitalizations

As of today, many Texas businesses will be rolling back capacity and occupancy levels as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.  In a letter from the Texas Department of State Health Services written to Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, it outlines that all restaurants, retail stores, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, gyms and exercise facilities, museums and libraries in all counties in Trauma Service Area E are required to return to maximum 50 percent occupancy levels as of Saturday December 5, 2020.

There are a few exceptions, but Dallas & Tarrant County are among several North Texas counties that meet the criteria of high hospitalizations due to COVID-19, and will now face 50% capacity restrictions.  High hospitalizations means there has been seven consecutive days in a particular Trauma Service Area where the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients, exceeds 15 percent of total hospital capacity. Additionally, 17 more Texas counties made the list.

Additionally, all licensed hospitals in the Trauma Service Area are required to discontinue elective surgeries as set forth in Executive Order GA-31, by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Trauma Service Area E Includes the Following Counties:

Collin County
Cooke County
Dallas County
Denton County
Ellis County
Erath County
Fannin County
Grayson County
Hood County
Hunty County
Johnson County
Kaufman County
Navarro County
Palo Pinto County
Parker County
Rockwall County
Somervell County
Tarrant County
Wise County