Coronavirus: Texas Orders Bars, Rafting and Tubing Firms To Close

AUSTIN, TX — Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday ordered closure of all bars in Texas and prohibition of tubing and rafting in a move aimed at reducing the spread of the coronavirus.

According to the governor's executive order, all businesses deriving more than 51 percent of their receipts from alcohol sales must close as of noon on Friday. Bars will be allowed to continue offering alcohol for delivery or takeout even as they must close their doors for service inside, according to the order. Ahead of July 4 — one of the most popular days for water recreation — rafting and tubing is prohited as part of the gubernatorial order.

While restaurants can remain open for dine-in service, according to the order, eateries must reduce capacity to 50 percent by June 29, according to the order. A previous order had allowed operators of restaurants to serve at 75 percent capacity, up from 25 percent when the governor launched the first phase of an economic reopening on May 1.

As part of the order, the governor also reiterated an earlier provision allowing mayors and county judges across the state to regulate crowd sizes — with particular focus on banning gatherings of more than 100 people.

The move comes amid record-setting rates of new cases of the coronavirus and related hospitalizations. In the latter category, the positivity rate has risen just beyond 10 percent — a barometer Abbott used to justify his earlier opening of the economy that began in phases on May 1.

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Texas on Thursday reported nearly 6,000 new cases of the coronavirus in reaching an all-time high. The soaring rates of illness have yielded concern that hospitals might be overwhelmed in dealing with an influx of new patients.

“As I said from the start, if the positivity rate rose above 10 percent, the State of Texas would take further action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” Abbott said in a prepared statement. “At this time, it is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars. The actions in this executive order are essential to our mission to swiftly contain this virus and protect public health."

To help mitigate further spread, the governor on Thursdy took two other key steps: A temporary pause in the reopening of the state economy and a prohibition of non-essential medical procedures and elective surgeries to ensure ample hospital space for potential new coronavirus patients. In terms of the former, Abbott already had allowed most businesses to reopen — a process that began May 1 — but further allowances related to occupancy limits are now on pause.

Abbott expressed hopes the new measures might be short-lived. Until then, he urged residents to take personal precautions to help blunt the spread of further illness.

"We want this to be as limited in duration as possible," the governor said. "However, we can only slow the spread if everyone in Texas does their part. 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. I know that our collective action can lead to a reduction in the spread of COVID-19 because we have done it before, and we will do it again.”

In opening the state economy starting May 1, Abbott was the second governor to attempt to reignite commerce a week after his Georgia counterpart launched a similar effort. Since then, respiratory illness cases have risen exponentially, particuarly after June 1.