Austin, Travis County Officials Announce New Coronavirus Restrictions

Staff Reports

New coronavirus restrictions were enacted Tuesday in Austin by Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt.

Officials announced at an 11 AM press conference that all of Travis County’s bars and restaurant dining rooms would be closed until May 1; also, the city and county are prohibiting gatherings of more than ten people. 

According to officials, curbside pick-up, take-out, and delivery orders through restaurants are still allowed under the order; residents will simply not be able to eat in the restaurant.

Grocery stores, hospitals, medical facilities, and pharmacies are not affected by the restrictions. 

Dr. Mark Escott, Interim Health Authority for Austin Public Health, said, “It’s important, I think, that the community understands what we’re doing as critical infrastructure, as healthcare, as providers of nursing home and assisted living facilities…All of us are checking our temperatures before we leave the house every day. All of us are checking temperatures on our way into the Emergency Operations center every day.” 

The restrictions went into effect at noon. Violators are subject to a $1,000 fine under the order. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is still recommending that cities and states restrict gatherings to less than 50 people.

However, Travis County and Austin officials have aligned restrictions with recommendations proposed by President Donald Trump Tuesday morning. 

According to officials, they recognize that the medical crisis caused by the coronavirus, or COVID-19, is accompanied by an economic crisis; officials are looking into options to help support the community and businesses.

Dr. Escott said the city is compiling a list of resources for employees and business owners in the community to help.

Adler said there might be a time in the future where the city will allow restaurants to re-open for regular business; for the time being, residents should take advantage of the many restaurants that will be offering delivery and take-out services for the first time. 

Eckhardt said the city is looking for ways to mitigate the economic threat that is accompanying the medical threat. 

Dr. Escott said the measures the city and county are taking are not a “knee-jerk reaction” or made out of fear.

Travis County has also placed a moratorium on evictions. 

“While we don’t have confirmation of person-to-person spread in this community, right now, we should act as if we do,” Dr. Escott said. “Right now, we are limited in the ability to test because of test kit limitations and PPE necessary to do those tests safely.” 

The City of Austin is expected to receive 1,000 test kits through HHS, which will be used to open additional community testing sites.

Currently, Ascension Seton, Saint David System, and Baylor Scott & White have partnered with officials to provide testing sites. 

“Now is the time for us to be proactive and unified in our approach to combating COVID-19,” Eckhardt said. “COVID-19 uses us as its vehicle to spread through our community, so we are asking all folks to reduce their circulation through the community.” 

The full press conference can be viewed below.