https://www.dallasnews.com/news/pub...aurants-to-half-capacity-shuts-river-rafting/
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott closes bars, dials back restaurants to half-capacity, shuts river rafting
Abbott said his ‘targeted, measured directives,’ which include giving local officials more control over outdoor gatherings, are needed to contain coronavirus.
Tubers prepare to float the Comal River despite the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, Thursday, June 25, 2020, in New Braunfels, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Wednesday that the state is facing a "massive outbreak" in the coronavirus pandemic and that some new local restrictions may be needed to protect hospital space for new patients. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)(Eric Gay)
By Robert T. Garrett and Allie Morris
8:57 AM on Jun 26, 2020 — Updated at 12:20 PM on Jun 26, 2020
Updated at 12:20 p.m.: Revised to include comments from Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.
AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday took more countermeasures to stem a tide of coronavirus infections, as he closed bars, ordered restaurants to return to 50% capacity, shut river-rafting outfits and gave local officials more control over large gatherings ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.
It was a big pivot from Monday, when he said retrenchment “will always be the last option.”
On Friday, Abbott called the moves “targeted, measured directives.” He stressed the state must move forcefully to get the current spread of COVID-19 under control.
Abbott noted he always said that if positivity rates again exceeded 10%, he’d consider that a “red flag” that required action to limit spread of virus -- even if meant halting or rolling back his reopening of businesses and public activities.
The positivity rate, which is the percentage of coronavirus tests administered that produce a positive result, dwindled to under 5% last month, after a high in mid-April of 13.86%. On Wednesday, the seven-day average positivity rate was 11.76%.
Abbott said public health authorities have linked businesses covered by his Friday order to rising infections.
“At this time, it is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars,” he said in a written statement.
Bars must shut at noon Friday. They may remain open for delivery and take-out, including for alcoholic beverages, as long as that’s authorized by the state’s bar regulator.
Restaurants may remain open for dine-in service, but at a capacity not to exceed 50% of total listed indoor occupancy, starting Monday.
Rafting and tubing businesses must close at noon Friday. That includes “rental of rafts or tubes and transportation of people for the purpose of rafting or tubing,” according to Abbott’s new executive order.
Also, outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people must be approved by local governments, starting immediately, though local officials could make certain exceptions.
As was the case in earlier Abbott orders, the outdoor crowd maximum doesn’t apply to religious services, youth camps, sporting events and amusement parks.
“The gathering is prohibited unless the mayor of the city in which the gathering is held, or the county judge -- in the case of a gathering in an unincorporated area -- approves of the gathering, and such approval can be made subject to certain conditions or restrictions not inconsistent with this executive order,” says Abbott’s Friday order.
Public Health
Dallas County will consider whether to limit crowds before July Fourth; new contact tracing program to track COVID-19 cases
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins announced his intentions at a Thursday afternoon news conference where he pleaded with Gov. Greg Abbott for a swifter response to a new wave of coronavirus infections that have gripped the state and nation. “If we’re given the authority to keep people safe and health we’re going to do it,” Jenkins said.
By Nic Garcia
In his release, Abbott said he hopes the rollbacks are temporary.
“The actions in this executive order are essential to our mission to swiftly contain this virus and protect public health,” he said. “We want this to be as limited in duration as possible.”
Hospitals in Houston, Dallas and other urban areas are reporting a surge in admissions of COVID-19 patients.
On Thursday, there were 4,738 coronavirus patients in Texas hospitals -- the 14th straight day of record hospitalizations. There were 5,996 new cases, another record, with 47 deaths -- the highest total since May 20.
Abbott was among the first wave of governors to begin lifting coronavirus restrictions on businesses, before the state had hit its own goals for testing or contact tracing. Both are key pieces of Abbott’s plan to contain the spread.
While Abbott began reopening the state over the past two months, Texas never pushed the virus into decline.
**************************************************************************************************************
To much roll back? Or not enough?
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott closes bars, dials back restaurants to half-capacity, shuts river rafting
Abbott said his ‘targeted, measured directives,’ which include giving local officials more control over outdoor gatherings, are needed to contain coronavirus.
Tubers prepare to float the Comal River despite the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, Thursday, June 25, 2020, in New Braunfels, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Wednesday that the state is facing a "massive outbreak" in the coronavirus pandemic and that some new local restrictions may be needed to protect hospital space for new patients. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)(Eric Gay)
By Robert T. Garrett and Allie Morris
8:57 AM on Jun 26, 2020 — Updated at 12:20 PM on Jun 26, 2020
Updated at 12:20 p.m.: Revised to include comments from Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.
AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday took more countermeasures to stem a tide of coronavirus infections, as he closed bars, ordered restaurants to return to 50% capacity, shut river-rafting outfits and gave local officials more control over large gatherings ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.
It was a big pivot from Monday, when he said retrenchment “will always be the last option.”
On Friday, Abbott called the moves “targeted, measured directives.” He stressed the state must move forcefully to get the current spread of COVID-19 under control.
Abbott noted he always said that if positivity rates again exceeded 10%, he’d consider that a “red flag” that required action to limit spread of virus -- even if meant halting or rolling back his reopening of businesses and public activities.
The positivity rate, which is the percentage of coronavirus tests administered that produce a positive result, dwindled to under 5% last month, after a high in mid-April of 13.86%. On Wednesday, the seven-day average positivity rate was 11.76%.
Abbott said public health authorities have linked businesses covered by his Friday order to rising infections.
“At this time, it is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars,” he said in a written statement.
Bars must shut at noon Friday. They may remain open for delivery and take-out, including for alcoholic beverages, as long as that’s authorized by the state’s bar regulator.
Restaurants may remain open for dine-in service, but at a capacity not to exceed 50% of total listed indoor occupancy, starting Monday.
Rafting and tubing businesses must close at noon Friday. That includes “rental of rafts or tubes and transportation of people for the purpose of rafting or tubing,” according to Abbott’s new executive order.
Also, outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people must be approved by local governments, starting immediately, though local officials could make certain exceptions.
As was the case in earlier Abbott orders, the outdoor crowd maximum doesn’t apply to religious services, youth camps, sporting events and amusement parks.
“The gathering is prohibited unless the mayor of the city in which the gathering is held, or the county judge -- in the case of a gathering in an unincorporated area -- approves of the gathering, and such approval can be made subject to certain conditions or restrictions not inconsistent with this executive order,” says Abbott’s Friday order.
Public Health
Dallas County will consider whether to limit crowds before July Fourth; new contact tracing program to track COVID-19 cases
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins announced his intentions at a Thursday afternoon news conference where he pleaded with Gov. Greg Abbott for a swifter response to a new wave of coronavirus infections that have gripped the state and nation. “If we’re given the authority to keep people safe and health we’re going to do it,” Jenkins said.
By Nic Garcia
In his release, Abbott said he hopes the rollbacks are temporary.
“The actions in this executive order are essential to our mission to swiftly contain this virus and protect public health,” he said. “We want this to be as limited in duration as possible.”
Hospitals in Houston, Dallas and other urban areas are reporting a surge in admissions of COVID-19 patients.
On Thursday, there were 4,738 coronavirus patients in Texas hospitals -- the 14th straight day of record hospitalizations. There were 5,996 new cases, another record, with 47 deaths -- the highest total since May 20.
Abbott was among the first wave of governors to begin lifting coronavirus restrictions on businesses, before the state had hit its own goals for testing or contact tracing. Both are key pieces of Abbott’s plan to contain the spread.
While Abbott began reopening the state over the past two months, Texas never pushed the virus into decline.
**************************************************************************************************************
To much roll back? Or not enough?
