By Sahar Chmais
COVID-19 hospitalization rates in Central Texas have stayed at or above 15% for seven consecutive days, thus forcing restrictions to be put in place.
The calculation means 15% of hospital beds are taken by people with COVID-19 cases.
The restrictions, per Governor Greg Abbott in Executive Orders GA-31 and GA-32, include stoppig on-site bar services and forcing businesses to reduct to a maximum of 50% capacity. All elective surgeries are also paused.
Hays County sits in Trauma Service Area O, one of 22 state regions. The local area includes Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, San Saba, Travis and Williamson counties.
When trauma service areas reach a 15% COVID-19 hospitalization rate for seven days, the executive orders kick in.
When hospitalization rates fall below 15% for seven consecutive days, the restrictions are removed.
According to Hays County, th COVID-19 hospitalization number surpassed 15% on Sunday, Jan. 3 and continued to increase.
Businesses are impacted differently by the order, depending on what kind of business is being run.
Bars not operating as a restaurant under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) rules must close. Bars can offer drive-thru, pickup and delivery services.
Any business that was open to 75% occupancy will reduce the limit to 50%. These businesses include retail establishments, restaurants, bars operating as restaurants, office buildings, manufacturers, museums, libraries, gyms and fitness facilities and classes.
Elective surgeries will need to be rescheduled, unless they do not deplete any hospital capacity needed to cope with COVID-19 disaster.
Places not impacted by the potential ordinance include religious services, local government operations, childcare services, public or private schools, youth camps, adult or youth recreational sports, drive-in movie theaters, concerts and similar events. Personal care and beauty establishments working with six-foot distancing between workstations and more can remain open.
