San Angelo Bars and Restaurant Dining Areas Ordered Closed by Friday at 11:59 p.m.

SAN ANGELO, TX — The City of San Angelo amended the emergency declaration this afternoon in an emergency meeting of the city council. The council voted 7-0 to approve new restrictions in light of the community spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus elsewhere in the state. At the council meeting, members were briefed by local health care officials that there have been 55 coronavirus tests administered and 10 have returned negative. There are 45 results pending. The virus has been reported in the Permian Basin, Brownwood, and Sonora. If none of the 45 tests return positive results, the city remains surrounded by the virus.

To combat the spread, the City of San Angelo is following state guidelines and clarifying how the statewide restrictions are interpreted at the City level.

Among the restrictions in the City declaration:

It prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people indoors or outdoors. The City termed these as “community gatherings” and specified that weddings, religious gatherings, parties, funerals, sporting events, conferences and other gatherings are considered pertinent to the 10-person maximum rule. Outdoor gatherings are where people are present in an outdoor space that is enclosed by a physical barrier such as a fence and where people are present and located within arm’s length of one another for extended periods.

You can “gather” when at work as long as 10 people are not present in any single space at the same time, the declaration states.

Restaurants and bars are to close their dining and gathering spaces. Restaurants can offer carryout or delivery of their prepared food.

Situations and establishments exempt from the “community gathering” rule are:

• The airport
• Transit and transit facilities
• Schools or institutions of higher learning
• Grocery stores, building supply stores, and pharmacies; and
• Hospitals and medical offices and facilities
• Home or auto repair supplies shops, like Lowes or Autozone

The City adopted these restrictions based upon a long teleconference with city and county leaders and the governor Wednesday. The governor increased restrictions based upon advice from President Donald J. Trump and the Centers for Disease Control.

The City’s timeline for putting these restrictions in place exactly mirrors the Governor’s orders. The restrictions go into effect Friday at 11:59 p.m. and are lifted April 3 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.

Statewide restrictions were enacted by four executive orders signed by Governor Abbott today. Here are the four restrictions:

Order No. 1: Every person in Texas shall avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.

Order No. 2: People shall avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants and food courts, or visiting gyms or massage parlors; provided, however that the use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options is allowed and highly encouraged throughout the limited duration of this executive order.

Order No. 3: People shall not visit nursing homes, retirement or long-term are facilities unless to provide critical assistance.

Order No. 4: Schools shall temporarily close.

The governor’s executive orders will be effective on a statewide basis starting at 11:59 p.m. on March 20, 2020. The orders and restrictions end at 11:59 p.m. on April 3, 2020.

State Rep. Drew Darby supports the Governor’s actions today.

"Today, Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Orders calling for new efforts to minimize exposure to and transmission of COVID-19. I am grateful for the Governor's leadership and fully support these steps to keep Texans safer,” said State Rep. Drew Darby. “I especially appreciate the tireless work of our local West Texas leaders, first responders, health care professionals, and critical customer service workers for their dedication during this challenging time.

“I strongly encourage West Texas residents to heed the direction of local officials as they prescribe important measures aimed at protecting citizens and maintaining our health care resources. We are strong and we will get through this together,” Darby said.

Download the Governor’s declaration here.

Download the City of San Angelo declaration here.