Rising COVID-19 Hospitalizations Trigger Capacity Limit Rollbacks
New restrictions have taken place following seven consecutive days of rising COVID-19 hospitalizations. As outlined in Governor Abbott's Executive Orders GA-31 and GA-32, bars must close, elective surgeries may need to be rescheduled, and many businesses must reduce their occupancy to 50 percent.
Order GA-32 went into effect on October 14, 2020. The order states that when a Texas Trauma Service Area (TSA) has a high hospitalization rate, any business establishment that was operating at 75 percent occupancy limit must rollback to a 50 percent occupancy limit.
How does this impact local business?
Bars - Bars that are not operating as a restaurant under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) rules must close. However, those businesses may continue to offer drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options for food and drinks to the extent authorized by TABC.
Other Businesses - Any business establishment that otherwise would have a 75% occupancy limit must operate at up to only 50%. This applies to retail establishments, restaurants, bars that are operating as restaurants, office buildings, manufacturers, museums, libraries, gyms, and fitness facilities and classes.
Surgeries - Elective surgeries, as defined in State Executive Order GA-31, must reschedule unless they "would not deplete any hospital capacity needed to cope with the COVID-19 disaster."
In addition, Governor Abbott's GA-32 states that bars or similar establishments that are not restaurants cannot operate indoors on premises, but may offer drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options authorized by the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission (TABC). The occupancy limit applies only to indoor and not outdoor areas, events, establishments, although social distancing and other safety protocols must be followed.
The following activities/services are not impacted by these occupancy changes:
- Religious Services
- Local government operations
- Childcare Services
- Public or Private schools
- Youth Camps
- Adult or youth recreational sports
- Drive-in movies, concerts, and similar events
- Person care/ beauty establishments with at least six feet of social distancing between workstations (See full list in Governor Abbott's Executive Order GA-32)
