No Alcohol Sales In Sunshine State Bars; Positive Tests Lead State Officials To Take This Drastic Move
The arrival of the weekend used to be an exciting time for people who like going to bars and nightclubs, but not these days.
And certainly not in Florida and Texas, for the bars Texas have been ordered closed and those in the Sunshine State have been banned from selling alcohol – effectively shutting them – due to a rise in positive COVID-19 cases. In the Sunshine State, alc
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order on Friday, June 26.
“At this time, it is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars,” he said in a statement. The actions in this executive order are essential to our mission to swiftly contain this virus and enhance public health.”
In Florida, Halsey Beshears, the secretary of the Department of Business & Professional Regulation, made the announcement in a Tweet that stated: “Effective immediately, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation is suspending on premises consumption of alcohol at bars statewide.”
Jarrett Sabatini, owner of Intermezzo Coffee and Cocktails in St. Petersburg, told the Tampa Bay Times, ”if you’re lucky enough to have made it the past three or four months, it’s a gut punch,” he said.
Both states have seen a rise in coronavirus cases (they have also increased testing). Florida’s infection rate is at about 7%, while in Texas it has risen to more than 10%. The Texas governor also cut seating at restaurants down to 50% of normal indoor capacity, effective Monday. Restaurants were previously allowed to operate at 75% capacity.
Outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people must now have the approval of local officials, and river rafting and tubing businesses were also shut down by the action.
With cases rising around the country, this is something that could happen in other states, too.
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