Bar Owners Sue Texas Governor To Reverse Order To Close Again

TOPLINE

Texas bar owners are suing Gov. Greg Abbott to block an order he issued last week requiring them to shut down as part of a rollback of the state’s reopening in the face of a worsening coronavirus outbreak.

KEY FACTS

CRITICAL QUOTE

“Will we continue to allow Defendants to take away our liberties and destroy the economy – where does it stop?” the lawsuit says.

KEY BACKGROUND

Texas was largely spared the serious effects some parts of the U.S. saw from the first major coronavirus spike in March and April, making officials there eager to start reopening the state’s economy when allowed to do so at the end of April. The state reopened businesses quickly, with bars allowed to reopen starting May 22. Since that time, though, coronavirus cases have consistently risen, and the 7-day rolling average for new cases is now above 5,000 per day. The state again set a hospitalization record on Monday after Sunday broke a streak of 16 straight days of record high hospitalizations. Abbott has recently pleaded with residents to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

CHIEF CRITICS

While the handful of bar owners may be asking the state to continue reopening, local officials from the state’s largest cities are asking Abbott for the authority to reinstate stay-at-home orders, amid concerns health care systems might soon be overwhelmed.

FURTHER READING

Bar owners sue to block Abbott shutdown order (Austin American-Statesman)

Local Officials In Texas Ask For Possible Return To Stay-At-Home Orders (Forbes)

Restaurants And Bars Across The US Are Re-Closing Due To Coronavirus Surge (Forbes)

Gov. Greg Abbott expresses regret over reopening Texas bars during coronavirus (Texas Tribune)

Coronavirus Spreading At ‘Unacceptable Rate’ In Texas, Governor Says (Forbes)