News: Statement from Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales Regarding Bars

Nueces County, Texas sent this bulletin at 10/14/2020 06:07 PM CDT

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Statement from Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales Regarding Bars

Judge Canales has requested that Nueces County be allowed to "Opt In" to Governor Abbott's order to allow bars to open

When Governor Abbott issued his order last week regarding bars, he stated that for a County to “opt in” to opening bars, the County Judge would be required to assist in enforcing health protocols.

In fact, the “opt-in” form I would be required to sign contains that very clause: “I understand the importance of the DSHS minimum standard health protocols and will assist in enforcing them at reopened bars and similar establishments in the County.”

I do understand the protocols. They are stringent. The protocols for opening a bar under the revised rules are strict and require space for social distancing, adding physical barriers, customer seating and other adaptations. In short, they require a bar to operate much more like a dine-in restaurant.

I have spoken to officials at the TABC, law enforcement, our local restaurant and bar associations, our health department, and with several owners who have opened successfully. They are all committed to operating safely.

I am confident that I can attest that I can assist in enforcing the standard health protocols at our bars and have requested that Nueces County be allowed to “opt in” to the Governor’s order.

It is important to note my request must be approved by the officials at TABC before the bars can actually open. I have made our local TABC authorities aware of my intention to “opt in” and will announce the state’s approval when it is granted.

My goal is that those bar owners who choose to re-open can open their businesses with confidence and patrons going to any open bar in Nueces County knows that the state health protocols have been met and they can go to that bar safely.

Education is far preferable to enforcement, and we are committed to working with bar owners who are working to adhere to the protocols. However, the Governor’s order allows businesses to be fined, and the operating guides allow TABC to suspend a business’s license for 30 days for a first offense, and for up to 60 days for a second offense.

The official guidance can be found at:

These new protocols are for the bars which are currently closed. The majority of the retail establishments serving alcohol, including those bars which have been reclassified as restaurants under the rules as currently modified, are already open and as of October 14, can operate at up to 75% capacity. Many bars already had the space, tables, chairs and booths needed to operate under the new rules, and chose to be certified as restaurants. These establishments can serve alcohol, and can also continue to deliver alcoholic beverages; an emergency accommodation granted by the governor which is not changing at this time.

Our business community has demonstrated that they are able and willing to make the necessary adjustments so we can operate safely, and I believe that there are bar owners who will choose to open under these rules and do so safely and responsibly. Some will decide that they cannot adapt their bar to comply with the rules and will remain closed, which is also a safe and responsible decision. For those who choose to open but do so in an unsafe and irresponsible manner, there will be harsh consequences.

We have the option to open our bars because of the tremendous progress we have made as a community in battling the coronavirus. Our efforts have reduced infections, hospitalizations, and deaths to the point where we are eligible to request our bars be allowed to open. We want that progress to continue, and I believe that if we follow the protocols, we can continue to make progress.

I ask that all of us continue to do our part as individuals to practice social distancing, wash our hands, wear facial coverings and observe all of the safety protocols. Together, we can continue to Open Texas in a safe, strategic, and responsible manner.

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