A dozen Texas bars have had their alcohol permits suspended as of Sunday by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for allegedly violating health protocols that can help slow the spread of COVID-19.
TABC officers said all 12 bars failed to comply with protocols mandated by the state to limit the spread of the virus, including not meeting indoor capacity limits and not implementing social distancing measures for large groups of customers.
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TABC Executive Director Bentley Nettles said that the department and the state has zero tolerance for establishments violating the state’s mandates.
“Protecting the health and safety of Texans during this pandemic is our top priority,” Nettles said in a statement. “We warned businesses (that) TABC will have no tolerance for breaking the rules, and now, some bars are paying the price. I hope other establishments will learn from these suspensions.”
These 30-day permit suspensions were issued for the following bars:
Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, in Austin
Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot Icehouse, in Austin
TABC has the authority to suspend any license that poses a continuing threat to public welfare.
The first violation will result in up to a 30-day license suspension, and the second will result in up to a 60-day suspension, TABC said.
RELATED: Some San Antonio bar owners decide to shut down amid second wave of COVID-19 infections
The standards for operating bars in Texas were drafted by Governor Greg Abbott’s Strike Force to Open Texas.
prguitarman on June 22nd, 2020 at 00:44 UTC »
Honestly, hopefully other bars see this and realize they should be taking things more seriously. I saw some videos of my locals bars a few weeks ago and there was zero social distancing in place.
chehsu on June 22nd, 2020 at 00:04 UTC »
I hope people can learn a lesson from this. If businesses can't be bothered to follow health protocol, then they don't deserve to be in business. Likewise, if people can't be bothered to follow health protocol and wear a mask, then they don't deserve to be granted entry into a business that is doing things right. This really should not be difficult to understand.
We owe that much to the healthcare workers and each other.
LowHangingLight on June 21st, 2020 at 23:09 UTC »
It truly boggles the mind how stupid some people are. Like, what did you expect would come of this?