WilCo Bars Allowed To Reopen Amid Lowered Coronavirus Rates

AUSTIN, TX — The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has approved a request from the county judge to allow bars to reopen after restrictions related to the coronavirus were partially lifted this weekend.

The Texas Department of State Health Services on Saturday alerted county officials the region no longer is considered an "area with high hospitalizations" given a drop in coronavirus hospitalizations. An executive order from the governor triggered stringent restrictions in terms of the operation of business if the level of total hospitalizations included at least 15 percent of those being tied to the coronavirus.

A seven-day drop in such hospitalizations prompted relaxed rules, including allowing restaurants to operate at 75 percent occupancy rather than the previously mandated 50 percent.

Upon being alerted by state officials of the hospitalizations drop, Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said he would file a request from regulators to allow bars to open at 50 percent occupancy level. By Sunday, Gravell said in an advisory he had secured permission from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Previous coverage: Coronavirus Business Restrictions Loosened In Williamson County

County officials explained in their advisory that under the order, bars or similar establishments that hold a permit from the TABC, and are not restaurants according to the order, may offer on-premises services up to 50 percent of the total listed occupancy of the establishment if the bar or similar establishment is not in an area with high hospitalizations, and the county judge of the county in which it is located files the requisite form with TABC.

For more information on Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order GA-32, click here.