WASHINGTON CO. MAKING PLANS TO REOPEN BARS

  

Residents of Washington County can more than likely expect bars to open up next week when Governor Greg Abbott’s most recent order takes effect.

County Judge John Durrenberger said he is in favor of allowing bars to reopen to 50 percent inside capacity on Wednesday, provided that the bars and residents follow proper health and safety protocols.

Durrenberger filled out a form today (Friday) to submit to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), which determines whether the county will be approved or denied to reopen.  Approval is based on whether a county falls above or below a COVID-19 hospitalization rate of 15 percent.  Durrenberger said Washington County currently has no patients that are hospitalized due to COVID-19, so he has “no doubt” the county will be approved.

According to Durrenberger, there are seven bars in the county that this reopening would apply to, those being businesses that are only licensed for alcohol sales.  Bars and breweries that have food and beverage permits were allowed to reopen in late July under new TABC guidelines.

Through Abbott’s new order, indoor capacity of bars will be limited, but there is no occupancy limit outdoors.  Bars will not be allowed to serve alcohol after 11 p.m.  Customers will need to be seated while eating or drinking, and tables will allow no more than six people.  They will also be required to wear masks when they are not seated.  Dance floors will be kept closed.

Durrenberger said the form given to the TABC has around a 24 hour turnaround period, so he expects to hear over the weekend whether the county has been approved or denied.