North Texas businesses could face additional restrictions—including the closure of some bars—if area hospitals do not see a reversal in the number of COVID-19 patients within a matter of days.
Hospitals in a trauma service area comprising 19 North Texas counties, including the Dallas-Fort Worth area, have reported four consecutive days in which COVID-19 patients filled more than 15% of staffed beds.
If that number remains above the 15% threshold for seven consecutive days, it will trigger a new series of restrictions, according to an executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott that went into effect Oct. 14.
Under these possible restrictions, businesses that have been required to operate at 75% capacity would have to ramp back down to 50% capacity. Bars would have to close once again unless alcoholic beverages account for less than 51% of their sales.
