Bars in Dallas County will remain closed despite a recent statewide executive order allowing them to reopen at 50% capacity Oct. 14.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced Oct. 7 that counties could opt into a reopening program provided they enforce health protocols. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins followed up with a tweet stating that the local transmission level is still too high to justify making this move. Neighboring counties are handling the order differently. Judge Chris Hill of Collin County will reopen bars at half capacity, while Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley said he is still weighing the option.

One bar owner responded to Jenkins' tweet by pleading with the judge to reconsider. A spokesperson with Dallas County confirmed Oct. 9 that the judge's decision has not changed since his tweet was originally published. Other commenters thanked the judge for his steadfast commitment to stemming spread of the disease. The county’s public health committee and health and human services department have rated the community risk for COVID-19 transmission as moderate. On Oct. 8, the county reported 198 additional cases of COVID-19 as well as 40 probable cases. Over the past seven days, there have been 2,525 additional cases reported.

“Our numbers in recent weeks have gone in the wrong direction, and it’s up to all of us to reverse that trend so that more people will stay safe, more businesses will thrive, and more children will be able to experience in–person classes,” Jenkins said in an Oct. 8 release.

For more information on COVID-19 in Dallas County, visit this link.