COVID restrictions return

Erath County Judge Alfonso Campos announced on Monday that Erath is having to roll back reopening restrictions after hospitalizations in its Trauma Service Area (TSA E) tipped over 15% for seven consecutive days.

According to the Governor’s Executive Order 32 (GA-32), tighter restrictions are required in any TSA that is over 15% for seven days.

These restrictions include:

■ 50% maximum occupancy in restaurants, stores, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, gyms and exercise facilities and classes, museums and libraries

■ discontinuing elective surgeries

■ closing bars and similar establishments

Some bars that have been reclassified as restaurants will be allowed to stay open.

Under GA-32, Erath will be allowed to reopen once hospitalization in TSA E has been below 15% capacity for seven consecutive days. TSA E had been over 15% for seven days on Thursday, reinstating the stricter guidelines.. The hospitalization dipped back below 15% on Friday and Saturday (14.94% and 14.84%).

The rate rose back up to 15.87% on Monday and was 16.60% on Tuesday, 15.88% on Wednesday and 15.77% on Thursday.

TSA E includes the counties of Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Fannin, Grayson, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant and Wise.