Here’s how to report Texas restaurants and bars that violate COVID-19 health orders
State officials are now taking complaints as Texas turns to the public to help enforce health orders under state disaster laws.
If you see a restaurant or bar with a liquor license violating state orders on masks, or on capacity and distancing, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission asks for complaints through its mobile app or at tabc.state.tx.us.
On June 17, with bars opening back up but many bars failing to uphold the industry’s promise to serve drinks only at seats and restrict crowds, the TABC published this Facebook announcement:
“See a business violating the health protocols from the Office of the Governor Greg Abbott and the #OpenTexasStrikeForce? You can file an anonymous complaint about a TABC-licensed or permitted business through our TABC:Mobile app.”
The TABC licenses the privilege of selling alcohol anywhere in Texas. If a restaurant or bar no longer wants the privilege of selling liquor, the owners can surrender their license.
In some cities, health inspectors or fire marshals also enforce orders on masks, distancing and the handling of COVID-19 cases in restaurants.
If you see a restaurant where seating isn’t spaced out as required to uphold state orders and industry standards, or where servers or customers are not wearing face coverings as required by state order — a scarf or bandanna is fine — notify code enforcement, fire marshals or whatever agency in your city handles inspections.
.Law enforcement officers can also give warnings about masks and write tickets for repeat violators. But they can’t stop anyone to issue a warning over not wearing a mask, so a few agencies are choosing to ignore the law and leave enforcement to TABC.
This story was originally published July 8, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
