ABBOTT CLOSES BARS; LIMITS RESTAURANTS TO 50% CAPACITY

  

Governor Greg Abbott has announced the closure of the state’s bars and return to 50% capacity for restaurants.

Abbott calls the moves “targeted measures,” but stresses the state must move forcefully to get the current spread of COVID-19 under control.

According to the order, bars must shut down at noon today (Friday), but can still offer delivery and takeout options. Starting Monday, restaurant dining rooms can only operate at 50% capacity.

Abbott also announced the shutdown of river-rafting outfits and gave local officials more control over large gatherings ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.

The outdoor crowd maximum doesn’t apply to religious services, youth camps, sporting events and amusement parks.

The governor noted he always maintained that if positivity rates again exceeded 10%, he’d consider that a “red flag” that required action to limit reopening of businesses and public activities.

In his release, Abbott voiced hope his rollback is temporary.

On Thursday, there were 5,996 new cases, with 47 deaths -- the highest total since May 20.

In recent days, Abbott moved from telling Texans they must learn to coexist with the virus to saying it’s time to stay home again whenever possible.