Midland County under increased COVID-19 restrictions

Public Policy
Bar
Midland County bars that have not received additional permission to serve food to count as restaurants have to close under increased COVID-19 restrictions. | Stock Photo

Midland County recently had to go to 50% operating capacity in response to the community's level of hospitalization due to COVID-19 infection.

The order came down from the Midland County Unified Command Team after the number of hospitalized coronavirus patients for Midland Memorial Hospital Trauma Service Area exceeded 15% of total hospital capacity for seven consecutive days, a release on the Midland Health website said.

Though most businesses were moved from 75% capacity restrictions to 50% capacity limitations, bars closed completely, the Midland Health release said. 

However, since restaurants are permitted to remain open at 50% capacity, bars that successfully applied to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for permission to serve food are counted as restaurants for the restrictions.

As of the hospital's most recent update, the total capacity occupied by patients who are considered as COVID-19 patients has yet to fall below the 15% threshold set by Gov. Greg Abbott.