TABC warns bars, restaurants to follow state protocols or face license suspension
AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is warning all bar and restaurant operators that they must follow the state's protocols for reopening to help ensure health and safety or face license suspensions.
The requirements include indoor customer capacity limits of 50 percent for bars and 75 percent for restaurants, along with social distancing of at least six feet between groups.
RELATED: Austin enters stage four of COVID-19 response, stay home order extended
TABC says it's strictly monitoring bar and restaurant capacity and will pursue emergency license suspensions if there are violations that are a threat to public health and safety. The first infraction will result in up to a 30-day suspension, and the second infraction will result in up to a 60-day suspension.
Over the last month, TABC says agents have inspected nearly 3,000 locations across the state, and most operators are acting responsibly and following the rules. However, businesses that jeopardize Texans’ health and welfare will be shut down through license suspension or other regulatory measures.
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The Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas has developed specific guidelines bars and restaurants must follow to safely restart their businesses. TABC will be on-site inspecting licensees to make sure the guidelines are followed.
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FOX 7 Discussion: Coronavirus restrictions in Texas
A recent surge in hospitalizations for COVID-19 cases has led to the City of Austin entering stage four pandemic restrictions over the weekend. Travis County GOP Chairman Matt Mackowiak and Glenn Smith from Progress Texas join Mike Warren to talk about this in greater detail.
To see the guidelines and learn more about the governor’s efforts to reopen Texas, click here. Businesses can find TABC’s coronavirus resources here.
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