In a recent interview with The Committee to Unleash Prosperity's Phil Kerpen, Fox News host Laura Ingraham criticized Texas Gov. Greg Abbot for what she called “artificially low restrictions” on the number of people that restaurants and bars can seat and serve due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On June 26, as the pandemic continued, Abbott closed all restaurants and bars that made 51% of their money from alcoholic beverages, although those businesses were allowed to remain open for delivery and takeout, as authorized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

On Sept. 17, the Texas Department of State Health Services updated the protocols for restaurants, noting that restaurants with less than 51% of their gross sales from alcoholic beverages could “operate dine-in service for up to 75% of the total listed occupancy inside the restaurant, outdoor dining is not subject to an occupancy limit, and restaurant employees and contractors are not counted toward the occupancy limit.” The updated guidance required employees and customers to wear a covering over the face and mouth when social distancing from others not in the same household, except when seated to eat and drink.

At a news conference, however, Abbott called bars “COVID-spreading locations” and said that they must remain closed across the state. Health officials are looking at ways to reopen bars. 

"If we fully reopen Texas without limits, without safe practices, it could lead to an unsustainable increase in COVID that would require the possibility of being forced to ratchet back down," Abbott said in a news conference. "The better approach is to safely take strategic steps that help Texans return to jobs while also protecting them from COVID."

According to the latest New York Times interactive data, viewed Sept. 29, reported COVID-19 cases nationwide have increased 15% over the last two weeks, and the total related death count currently is approaching 250,000.