TEXAS —  Texas was among the first states to begin reopening their economies in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. However, an increase in hospitalizations and case numbers this summer forced it to take a step back.

What You Need To Know

  • Gov. Abbott hints at announcement concerning further business reopenings

  • Comes as hospitalizations for COVID-19 decline in Texas 

  • Bar and restaurant owners and others still hurting economically due to shutdown orders 

Bars were again closed and occupancy reduced in some businesses.

Since then, the number of hospitalizations has come down significantly since July, and in a tweet, Gov. Greg Abbott signaled he may be ready to announce a further loosening of COVID-19 restrictions.

The governor, tweeting from his personal account, responded to a request for clarification of restrictions on the restaurant industry. Texas restaurants have been hurting, and numerous bars and other businesses have closed their doors permanently.

“@GregAbbott_Texas take note,” someone tweeted at Abbott. “Those of us in the restaurant industry need this clarity in our future. Some of us want to grow, some of us just want to survive. Regardless, banks won’t have anything to do with us because of the uncertainty. You can fix it!”

The governor replied: “I said last month that Texas wouldn’t have anymore [sic] lockdowns – despite demands from mayors & county judges insisting on lockdowns. Since my last orders in July, Covid numbers have declined – most importantly hospitalizations. I hope to provide updates next week about next steps.”

As of August 31, the Texas COVID-19 hospitalization rate stood at 4,203, which is down from the 10,893 high reported on July 22.