Hospitalization Rates Could force State to Close Comal Bars, Limit Capacity, New Braunfels Warns
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Bars and other area businesses could be forced to close or reduce their occupancy rates if the hospitalization rate in Texas’ Trauma Service Area (TSA) P, which includes Comal County, stays above 15 percent for seven consecutive days.
The City of New Braunfels warned residents on Facebook today that the hospitalization rate for TSA P has already remained above 15 percent for two consecutive days.
“If we stay above 15 percent for more than seven consecutive days we will have to follow increased precautionary measures, including bar closures and reduced occupancy of certain businesses from 75 percent to 50 percent,” the city warned.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-32 on Oct. 8. It reopened certain venues to 75-percent capacity and allowed resumption of elective surgeries.
Businesses affected by the order include:
- Retail establishments
- Restaurants
- Office buildings
- Manufacturers
- Museums and libraries
- Gyms and exercise facilities and classes
- Bars
Ten of the state’s other TSAs have reported 15% or more of total hospital capacity dedicated to COVID-19 patients.
They include TSA (Amarillo), TSA B (Lubbock), TSA D (Abilene), TSA E (Dallas/Ft. Worth), TSA G (Longview), TSA H (Lufkin), TSA I (El Paso), TSA M (Waco), TSA R (Galveston). and TSA T (Laredo).
Counties in TSA P include:
Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Gillespie, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, La Salle, Maverick, Medina, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde, Wilson and Zavala.
