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Dallas is returning to lockdown mode following an increase in COVID-19 cases that will shut down bars and force some businesses, including restaurants, stores and gyms, to cut capacity to 50%.
The closure is the result of an executive order from Governor Greg Abbott that went into effect in October, requiring cancellations if and when COVID-19 reappears.
- Bars will go from 50% to closed.
- Elective surgeries are suspended.
- Restaurants and businesses are now limited to 50% occupancy, compared to 75% previously.
The benchmark for action was hospital beds: According to Abbott’s order, if more than 15% of hospital beds were used by COVID-19 patients for seven consecutive days, rollbacks would occur .
DFW currently has 15.6 percent of beds used for COVID-19 patients. The occupancy rate may increase if this percentage of hospital beds remains below 15% for a week.
The closure was not much of a surprise. The number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in hospitals in North Texas hit a new high on December 1. The average number of patients treated daily in December was nearly three times higher than in September, according to DFW / CBS.
The order affects counties in North Texas, including Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, Parker, and Collin counties.
Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins released a statement:
“Today is the 7th day in a row our region has passed the threshold of 15% of all available beds occupied by COVID19 patients,” he said. “As per Executive Order GA-32 from @ GovAbbott, once today’s numbers update on the @TexasDSHS website (tonight), our region will immediately be subject to a decrease in all limits from 75% to 50% non-essential business occupancy and other protocols established in GA-32. “
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will notify businesses and bar owners of the policy change, commission spokesperson Chris Porter told the Star of Fort Worth Telegram.
This order is designed to reduce the number of places people can congregate, which will theoretically reduce the spread of COVID-19.
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