Gov. Abbott Sued By Texas Bar Owners For Re-Closing Bars In State

A group of about 30 bar owners in the Lone Star state are suing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for re-closing bars in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases. While the COVID-19 case numbers in Texas continue to surge, Texas Governor Greg Abbott is taking additional steps to try and reign in the spread. After reopening bars in the state on May 22nd, many areas in Texas began seeing COVID-19 cases climbing up again. Whether it was because so amny businesses were reopening and people felt safer, or due to the bars reopening, the Governor decided to close local watering holes again. In an interview with our friend Stephanie Valle of KVIA Channel 7, Governor Abbott said he regretted opening bars so soon:

"If I could go back and redo anything, it probably would have been to slow down the re-opening of bars. ow seeing in the aftermath of how quickly the coronavirus spread in the bar setting."

While the Governor believes this was the right action to take to help try and stop the spread of the virus among people, many bar owners strongly disagree. And now, they're suing. According to the Texas Tribune, more than 30 bar owners filed a lawsuit in Travis County District Court against Texas Governor Greg Abbott and his order to close all bars in the state a second time. The bar owners' lawyer Jared Woodfill said closing the bars a second time could lead to bar owners having to file bankruptcy. The bar owners said they would be protesting the Governor's decision this week in the Texas capital.