SAN ANTONIO — While Bexar County residents and bar owners are still awaiting local leaders' final determination as to whether those businesses will be allowed to reopen in limited capacity following Gov. Greg Abbott's announcement earlier this month, communities in the Hill Country will soon see drinks served once again.
Comal County leaders announced on Monday that they have submitted the appropriate paperwork to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission that will green-light the opening of local bars at 50% capacity, starting Oct. 14. The county says that, ever since Abbott's announcement, it's been working with health officials, mayors and law enforcement to "developing a plan" on what reopening will look like, as well as how it will be enforced—especially as the novel coronavirus remains a presence in Texas and across the country.
"At this point, we understand that anything is better than being closed down,” said Judge Krause in an online video explaining the county’s decision to go forward with the plan.
As part of its planning, the county says it's asking individual bar establishments to complete what it's calling an "Open Safe Plan" ahead of Oct. 14. Officials also say that enforcement efforts will including mandating that bars stop serving alcohol at 11 p.m. Employees will also have to be screened for COVID-19 and wear masks while on the clock (guests will also have to have face coverings) and social distancing between groups will be a must.
A brewery in New Braunfels plans to implement those safety guidelines this week.
“We may actually use these to block six feet,” said The New Braunfels Brewing Company Owner Kelly Meyer, gesturing to a stack of bottled beer inside his business.
He's now one of many getting ready to welcome customers back inside to sip their beer. It’s been months since Meyer closed his indoor tasting room and moved to online sales with curbside pickup. Some customers have utilized outdoor picnic tables to sample the suds.
“I still think, ultimately, that bars, restaurants, breweries and wineries were absolutely targeted negatively and without a lot of sense,” Myer said.
He’s glad some of that is about to change.
“I think a big part of what we are, especially as a small brewery, is that connection to our customers."
The county's plan expands options for businesses like the brewery, which couldn’t serve meals in order to reopen like some bars in New Braunfels.
Myer says the plan doesn’t fix everything, but it is a step in the right direction.
“It's going to be slow and there's going to be a bloodbath on the way to get there. A lot of guys going out business,” said Myer, regarding his thoughts on recovering from the pandemic’s economic blow. “At least we're moving forward in a positive direction, and that's ultimately all we can really hope for.”
The New Braunfels Brewing Company is open Thursday through Sunday with online ordering available 24/7. Myer plans to allow customers to sit inside as early as Thursday.
Last week, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said he would go through the necessary discussions with health authorities and other local leaders before either giving the green light for bars or keeping it red.
"I want to be fair," Wolff said last Wednesday. "I want an opportunity to look at the health consequences as well.