Austin won’t be allowed to restrict dining-in at restaurants, Texas Supreme Court says
Texas Tribune
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A bartender makes a drink for a customer on May 22, 2020 Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune
The Supreme Court of Texas on Friday blocked Austin-area orders that restricted dining-in and drinking at restaurants through January 3. The order followed a New Year’s Day appeal by Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Andy Brown announced the orders on Dec. 29 in a bid to slow spiraling coronavirus infections and hospitalizations going into New Year’s Eve. They were quickly challenged by Gov. Greg Abbott and by Paxton, who described the orders as “needlessly oppressive.” Both officials exhorted Texas restaurants to remain open in defiance of the orders, which were upheld by a district judge Thursday. In a further blow to the state, Texas’ Third Court of Appeals swiftly rejected an app
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A Catholic priest celebrates mass.
El Paso, Texas The Diocese of El Paso announced Tuesday that Catholic churches in El Paso County would be allowed to open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day masses, but at a limited capacity.
The diocese cited El Paso s declining Covid-19 cases in making their decision. Active cases dropped below 36,000 on Tuesday for the first time in weeks, while hospitalizations dropped below 500 - the lowest level since October. The danger of the presence of this virus in the El Paso community is still of great concern, Bishop Mark Seitz cautioned, but added, This is not a time for the El Paso community to let its guard down, but the diocese believes that if cases continue their decline, the diocese can safely relax restrictions.
Out of concern for potential virus spread that could occur over the upcoming holidays, County Judge Ricardo Samaniego is imposing a nightly curfew for the Christmas and New Year s periods.
At Thursday s briefing, an El Paso police official indicated that the department will take the appropriate action accordingly to enforce the curfew order.
The briefing also addressed the latest on virus vaccine distribution in the El Paso area. Earlier Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott said Texans can expect to see “widespread distribution” of Covid-19 vaccines by March to recipients beyond the front-line health care workers who are currently receiving them.
El Paso health department director Angela Mora said that her agency is coordinating with roughly 200 local providers to handle vaccinations when sufficient doses become available. She said the health department would be hosting virtual public meetings to provide more information about Texas distribution plans.
Dec 17, 2020
El Paso County Commissioners have declared Santa Claus as an essential worker, clearing the way for St. Nick to deliver his gifts across the Borderland. County Judge Ricardo Samaniego says traditions such as Santa Claus must continue through the pandemic in order to give children the magic of Christmas. But, he says children should not wait up to see Santa because he still needs to remain socially distant while delivering their presents.
Photo: Getty Images
EP County
Santa appears during a virtual meeting of El Paso County Commissioner s Court.
Loved this moment from El Paso County’s Commissioners Court meeting. They voted unanimously to declare Santa Claus as essential so he can deliver gifts this Christmas. pic.twitter.com/3KqK4zjrxV Mauricio Casillas (@MauricioABC7) December 15, 2020
El Paso, Texas – El Paso County Commissioners Court voted unanimously at their meeting this week to officially declare Santa Claus and his travel this holiday season as essential, which clears the way for his Christmas gift deliveries across the Borderland.
In a statement explaining the reason behind the decision, County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said.