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A day after Tarrant County announced a face mask requirement for businesses, Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order with further mandates in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 — among them, the closure of all bars beginning at noon Friday.
The order affects "all bars and similar establishments that receive more than 51% of their gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages." They may sell alcoholic beverages to-go, however, as the order states that bars may remain open for delivery and take-out.
Additionally, restaurant capacity is now limited to 50%, as opposed to 75% as previously mandated, starting Monday.
Rafting and tubing businesses must also close, and outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people must be approved by local governments, with certain exceptions.
In Fort Worth, some business owners like Emil Bragdon, who runs several bars including The Whiskey Garden and Reservoir, are expressing concern over the recent mandates.
The executive action comes as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Texas. According to a news release from the governor's office, the number of hospitalizations has increased, and the positivity rate in Texas has increased above 10%.
Brandom Gengelbach, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce president, said in a statement the Chamber supports Abbott's decision.
“The Fort Worth Chamber is focused on safely and sustainably reopening the economy," Gengelbach said. "But our economy can’t return to normal while the virus continues to spread unchecked. These actions, while difficult and painful for many, give us the best opportunity to contain the spread of this virus and protect the health of our businesses and workers...We encourage all Texans to heed the warnings from state and local leaders to stay home as much as possible, wear masks when out in public, maintain social distancing, and wash your hands frequently. Earlier this spring, Texans were able to flatten the curve. Today, we are at an inflection point, and we must join together as a state to stop the spread.”
Locally, Fort Worth city councilman Cary Moon recently disclosed Thursday in a Facebook post that his COVID-19 test came back positive, "A reminder to all my friends to take all precautions against this contagion. See you all in a week [and] a half."
