Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order To Open Bars
Press Release
County Judges will be able to opt their county into opening bars beginning October 14th, provided they assist in enforcing health protocols. The Governor's Executive Order also increases the occupancy levels for all business establishments other than bars to 75%.
Bars or similar establishments that hold a permit from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), and are not restaurants may offer on-premises services up to 50 percent of the total listed occupancy of the establishment if:
a. the bar or similar establishment is not in an area with high hospitalizations and the county judge of the county in which the bar or similar establishment is located files the requisite form with TABC; or
b. the bar or similar establishment is in an area with high hospitalizations but is located in a county that has filed with DSHS, and is in compliance with, the requisite attestation form promulgated by DSHS regarding minimal cases of COVID-19, and the county judge of the county in which the bar or similar establishment is located also files the requisite form with TABC.
Patrons at bars or similar establishments may eat or drink only while seated, except that in an establishment that holds a permit from TABC as a brewer, distiller/rectifier, or winery, customers may sample beverages while standing so long as they are in a group of six people or fewer and there is at least six feet of social distancing or engineering controls, such as partitions, between groups.
Where applicable, this 50 percent occupancy limit applies only indoors; the limit does not apply to outdoor areas, events, or establishments, although social distancing and other protocols must be followed.