FORT WORTH, Texas _ A bar in Fort Worth's Stockyards caused a debate on social media after posting the venue will open on May 1 despite the coronavirus pandemic shutdown, which the post called "nonsense" and "grossly over exaggerated."
The Basement Bar posted the reopening announcement Tuesday night on its Facebook page. By Wednesday afternoon, the post had thousands of comments, some supporting the bar and others calling the move dangerous and irresponsible.
At about noon Wednesday, the post had been taken off the page. The Basement Bar did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
"We have played the game long enough," the Facebook post said. "We abided by the rules set forth to help prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed and to 'flatten the curve.'"
The post said the bar has been closed since March 18 and always puts customers and employees' safety first.
"As most of you already know, more and more evidence is brought to light everyday that most of this was all nonsense and grossly over exaggerated. We feel it is most important to stand up for our freedoms and get our employees back to work, it is our right. We can no longer neglect our livelihoods for the illusion of safety put forth by our city leaders. There's no more 'Y'all Stay Home' it's 'Y'all Get Back to Work!'"
Thousands of people commented on the post, and the Basement Bar responded to supporters and opponents alike. Some said the bar was putting profits ahead of people. Others said they would be glad to visit the bar.
At about 1 p.m., the bar posted again, saying Facebook removed their first post but they were still planning on opening May 1.
"May 1st all bars will be open. We just happened to advertise it first and between the supporters and the haters, it was the best PR move we ever made. Thank you for almost 300k views and comments!" the new post said.
Brandon Bennett, director of Fort Worth Code Compliance, said shutdown declarations are in full effect until either the mayor or Gov. Greg Abbott make changes. While officials are working on how to safely reopen food services and bars, Bennett said officials are "ready, willing and able to enforce the provisions of the current declaration" until businesses have permission to reopen.
"It's a process and it's not helpful to have establishments work outside of the collective effort," Bennett said via email about the Basement Bar's post. "We will/have reach out to them and make sure that they understand the rules."
While Abbott said he would make an announcement on April 27 regarding new guidance on businesses reopening their doors, it is unclear whether or not bars, and other businesses, will be able to fully open by May 1.
Under Tarrant County's shutdown order, non-essential businesses are only allowed to continue basic operations, and only if they follow certain restrictions, such as social distancing rules and minimizing person-to-person contact. Curbside pickup is permitted, but a fully operational bar is not.
On Tuesday, Tarrant County officials talked about loosening some restrictions, but said it's too early to actually make changes.
"Now is not the time to relax," Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley said Tuesday. "I still think we are two, three, maybe four weeks away from lessening restrictions."
The county added 97 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday for a total of 1,430, including 259 recoveries and 44 deaths.
The Basement Bar wrote in the Facebook post it was "not to be insensitive or undermine anyone who feels they have or knows someone has has (sic) lost their life to 'covid19.'"
"Any loss of life is tragic," the post continued. "But freedom is exactly what makes life so precious and special. Without it what kind of life can you live? If you disagree with us, please feel free to stay home."
Abbott said Monday he will be issuing "a new order for the state going forward, and there will either be portions of that, or all of that, that have statewide application." Abbott's current executive order ends April 30.
On Wednesday, Abbott hinted at a regional approach to reopening businesses in Texas based on the level of spread of the novel coronavirus in an interview on KFYO radio.
