Cheers! Erath County bars get green light to open at 50% capacity beginning Wednesday.

BTS NEWS special report

Erath County Judge Alfonso Campos has opted to allow bars to reopen on Wednesday, Oct. 14, after Gov. Greg Abbott left the decision up to county judges

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Several local bars have already reopened, operating as restaurants under TABC’s guidelines released in August.

Bars that were unable to meet those qualifications can now welcome back customers for the first time since the state’s second shut down in June.

Bars can re-open at 50 percent occupancy in counties where COVID-19 hospitalizations make up less than 15 percent of hospital capacity, but will have to follow social distancing guidelines.

Customers will have to be seated, groups will be limited to six, dance floors will remain closed and masks will be required when walking to or from a table.