Texas enforcing law against businesses asking for vaccination proof

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The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has warned two Austin restaurants that they could lose their liquor licenses for requiring their customers to demonstrate at least an initial round of COVID-19 vaccinations before they are served.

The two restaurants, Launderette and Fresa’s, were first informed by TABC on Wednesday that they were violating Senate Law 968, which was passed during this year’s regular legislative period.

A spokesman for the TABC told The Texas Tribune in an email that none of the restaurant owners knew about the new law and that both of them were immediately taking steps to comply.

As a result, both restaurants posted the same message on their Facebook pages on Thursday, warning the public that they no longer need proof of vaccination but encouraging diners to wear masks indoors when they are not at a table.

“Although the agency has not yet taken any formal action against companies, we have asked to meet with representatives from companies that may have potential violations,” the TABC email read. “TABC is committed to working with business owners to ensure they have the information they need to comply with all state laws, including the provisions of SB 968.”

A clause of SB 968 prohibits companies from requiring customers to provide documentation of their COVID-19 vaccination or post-transmission recovery in order to join or receive services from that company. The TABC has the authority to require compliance with the law in order for the company to retain a state license or permit. It went into effect on June 16, as soon as Governor Greg Abbott signed it.

SB 968 was written by Senator Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, who, like many of her Republican colleagues, fought against the idea of ​​vaccination records, as vaccination certificates are often called.

Abbott posted a video on his Twitter account signing the law in June. In it, he said, “Texas is 100% open and we want to make sure you have the freedom to go where you want without borders.”

The governor has refused to step back on his COVID-19 policy despite the highly contagious Delta variant of the disease quickly filling Texan hospitals with patients, most of whom are unvaccinated. COVID-19 hospital stays in Texas have increased 400% in the past month.

The governor has also faced setbacks in court from local leaders fighting his nationwide ban on masked mandates. That fight could go on and on: President Joe Biden said this week he is looking into legal action to stop Abbott’s ban.

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