Texas Restaurant Association Outlines Updated Guidelines

The decision for Governor Greg Abbott (R) to lift all restrictions in the Lone Star state was divisive. While some argued that small businesses like bars and restaurants were devastated by the statewide lockdown, forcing many to permanently close, others criticized the decision as a dangerous. In light of the decision, the Texas Restaurant Association has released an updated “Texas Restaurant Promise,” which provides guidelines for restaurants as they brace themselves for establishing a welcoming and safe environment for residents after the new protocols take effect on March 10, 2021.

In the updated promise, the association announces that “in keeping with the public health guidance and best practices, our updated Texas Restaurant Promise includes a face covering requirement for employees, and encourages guests to wear a face covering when they are not seated at their table.”

In an effort to have “the right balance between protecting employees and guests,” the promise “also maintains key safe protocols like regular cleaning and disinfecting, hand sanitizing stations, and employee and customer health screenings.”

Finally the promise makes a call for Texans to cooperate with restaurants, asking them “to show respect and patience to any worker who is simply trying to do their job in spite of very challenging circumstances.”

“Restaurants will continue to go above and beyond to play their part and keep their guests and employees safe,” it vows, adding that “with resources like the Texas Restaurant Promise and the Texas Restaurant Promise Certification Program, the Texas Restaurant Association is committed to supporting restaurant operators and employees as they safely serve their communities.”

When Governor Abbott’s decision was announced, President Joe Biden (D) called it a “big mistake,” adding that the decision was made as a result of “neanderthal thinking.”

In a statement, Abbot assured, “make no mistake, COVID-19 has not disappeared, but it is clear from the recoveries, vaccinations, reduced hospitalizations, and safe practices that Texans are using that state mandates are no longer needed.”