IN AN ATTEMPT TO CURVE THE sudden rise of COVID-19 cases across Texas, Governor Greg Abbott announced drastic changes on Friday, including the closing of bars and similar establishments.
“At this time, it is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars,” Abbott said in a news release. “The actions in this executive order are essential to our mission to swiftly contain this virus and protect public health.”
The order includes the following:
*All bars and similar establishments that receive more than 51% of their gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages are required to close at 12:00 PM on Friday. These businesses may remain open for delivery and take-out, including for alcoholic beverages, as authorized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
*Restaurants may remain open for dine-in service, but at a capacity not to exceed 50% of total listed indoor occupancy, beginning Monday, June 29, 2020.
*Rafting and tubing businesses must close.
*Outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people must be approved by local governments, with certain exceptions.
Abbott’s decision comes at a time where cases have rocketed to the point where he issued an executive order on Thursday that halted elective surgery in Houston. San Antonio and Dallas in order to prepare for more rooms that will be needed for the rise in patients.
“We are already at 50 percent (in COVID patients),” said Elizabeth Neal, who is part of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center’s COVID-19 team. “It’s reaching a point to where we might reach full capacity within the next 10-14 days.”
Houston’s Texas Medical Center reached full capacity for COVID-19 patients on Thursday.
The state eclipsed its record on a 14th straight day on Thursday with 5,996 new cases along with 4,739 hospitalizations. More than 2,300 Texans have lost their lives behind the pandemic.
As of Thursday afternoon, the Galveston County Health District reported a total of 2,415 cases in the area. League City had the most with 583 cases, followed by Texas City (471), Galveston (443). Dickinson (288) and La Marque (176). The total of COVID-19 related deaths remains at 40.
Texas had started a slow re-open last month in a bid to help bring life to businesses that were suffering due to the lockdown. Abbott had allowed most businesses to open to at least 50% capacity.
“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,” he said.
We want this to be as limited in duration as possible. However, we can only slow the spread if everyone in Texas does their part,” Abbott added. “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.”
The choice to pull back has left many wondering if the 2020-21 school season will get underway. The move could also have an impact on the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, who are expected to begin training on Wednesday as the Major League Baseball season is slated to start on July 23-24.
“Should we get started on the topic of schools or is it still too early?” asked Stephanie Aguirre, a teaching assistant at Hitchcock ISD.
Outdoor gatherings will greatly impact plans for Independence Day. The City of League City announced on Friday that its July 3 Fireworks Show and July 4 Citizens’ Appreciation Day would be canceled. The move comes a couple of days after Texas City announced it would not hold its annual Fireworks Show off the Dike.
Plans were still in place for Santa Fe to host its Independence Day event along with Mainland City Centre, which is slated to have fireworks and live entertainment on July 3 and 4.
