Abbot’s 100% Capacity Ruling Should Give a Much Needed Boost to Austin Area Restaurants, but Could Also Pose a Dilemma for Customers

Throughout the tragic year-long COVID pandemic, Austin area restaurants hamstrung by mandates implemented to halt the spread of the virus have taken a real financial beating. Closures have been rampant and the damage done to those still open is incalculable.

Without question, Governor Greg Abbot’s recent decision to reopen Texas businesses at 100% capacity, controversial as it may be, should be a significant lifeline thrown to the hospitality community.

Still, restaurants I’ve talked to will continue to plan on mask mandates and socially distanced tables where possible.

While I’m heartened to hear this news, I’m also concerned about restaurant customers who when given what they see as a green light in the past year have inexplicably refused to mask, social distance, and generally cooperate.

I’m concerned that Abbot’s decision may give some the impression they have carte blanche to resume dining as normal without respect to the cautions that America’s top health scientists have consistently encouraged.

I totally understand the pent up demand among those who love to patronize Austin’s restaurants, but respect must be paid to those same restaurants who have arduously strived for the past year to provide safe environments without sacrificing quality of food and service.

I truly hope that in this latest reopening of the Texas economy, safety and great dining experiences can mutually coexist.