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.Regarding opening bars in Dallas County: I will not file to open them at this time. Below is the current guidance from the Public Health Committee and @DCHHS. We are in orange but our numbers are increasing (BadI) I will listen to everyone but will follow the science. pic.twitter.com/wvak33TnZw
— Clay Jenkins (@JudgeClayJ) October 7, 2020
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.
@JudgeClayJ I am a Dallas bar owner. This is destroying us. Please let people be responsible for themselves. We aren’t getting any help while being the only business not permitted to open. You will be responsible for closing us permanently
