Bars to reopen, restaurants can increase capacity

Cass County Judge Becky Wilbanks and Bowie County Judge Bobby Howell announced Feb. 4, that COVID-19 hospitalizations have fallen below 15% of hospital capacity for at least seven consecutive days and that bars and restaurants may reopen and or allow higher levels of capacity.

Dr. John Hellerstedt, Commis sioner of Texas Department of State Health Services, notified the counties in Trauma Service Area F that they have remained under 15% of capacity for at least seven consecutive days.

According to Executive Order GA- 32, signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in October, Trauma Service Area, TSA F, no longer meets the definition of a high hospitalization area and so may reopen to the higher levels allowable under GA-32. This effects restaurant capacity and bars in the area.

Additionally, all licensed hospitals in the TSA may resume elective surgeries as set forth in Executive Order GA- 32.

TSA F includes the following counties: Bowie, Cass, Delta, Hopkins, Lamar, Morris, Red River, and Titus.