On December 21, 2020, Mayor Jason Perez received notification from the Texas Department of State Health Services that the Trauma Service Area in which Brazoria County is located is an “area with high hospitalizations” under Executive Order Number GA-32, issued by Governor Greg Abbott on October 7, 2020. A Trauma Service Area is considered a “high hospitalization” area if it has had seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of total hospital capacity exceeds 15 percent.
Under the Governor’s Executive Order GA-32, any “area with high hospitalizations” may not conduct certain activities permitted under Executive Order GA-32. Since Brazoria County is located within a Trauma Service Area that has been designated as having a “high hospitalization” level, the following apply immediately pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order GA-32:
Any business establishment that may operate at 75 percent occupancy or operating limit under the Governor’s Executive Order GA-32 may now operate at up to only 50 percent occupancy or operating limit, and
Any bar or similar establishment that holds a TABC permit and is not a restaurant may not offer on-premises services. Bars and similar establishments located in a “high hospitalization” area are exempted only if they are located within a county that has 30 or fewer new COVID-19 cases during the previous 14-day period. This exemption does NOT apply to bars and similar establishments in Brazoria County. The use by bars or similar establishments of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options for food and drinks remains allowed to the extent authorized by TABC.
Under the Governor’s Executive Order GA-32, once a Trauma Service Area is considered an “area with high hospitalizations,” this designation remains until such time as the Trauma Service Area has seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of total hospital capacity is 15 percent or less.
Please find links below to the following documents:
The Governor’s Executive Order GA-32 https://bit.ly/38v0Q0P
The DSHS letter to County Judge Matt Sebesta https://bit.ly/38rP1su