Austin, TX — Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt today announced a Public Health Order requiring individuals to remain in place at home or place of residence, with exceptions for essential work and activities.
When conducting an allowed activity, people must maintain at least 6 feet of social distancing.
The Order goes into effect at 11:59 PM, Tuesday, March 24, and will last until April 13 unless modified, to further contain the spread of COVID-19 in Austin and Travis County.
View the complete City of Austin Public Health Order HERE.
“Now is the time for us really to focus on keeping each other safe. Let’s all actively decrease our physical interactions with others each day. The best way to do that? Stay home – unless it’s essential,” says Austin Mayor Steve Adler. “Today’s Orders are intended to help us do this. When you go to sleep at night, count the number of people you’ve interacted with throughout the day. The next day, try to reduce that number. We can do this if everybody does their part. It’s on each of us to help flatten the curve of COVID-19. This will give us more time to have more tests, more supplies, and more attention for each person who gets sick.”
The Public Health Order includes:
Public Gatherings
All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or dwelling unit are prohibited, with exception to essential activities or essential work or members of a household or dwelling unit.
Essential Businesses and Activities
All businesses and residents must cease on-site operations and remain in place except essential businesses as defined in the Order.
Essential businesses must comply with social distancing requirements.
Examples of essential businesses include:
Examples of essential activities include:
Non-essential businesses may continue operations and performing activities at their own residences (i.e., working from home).
“We understand the significant economic impact during this unprecedented time, both for businesses that will be closed and businesses that continue to operate in limited capacities to support critical infrastructure within our communities,” said Veronica Briseño, Director of City of Austin Economic Development Department. “We are thankful to Austinites for complying with these Orders to maintain physical distancing so that we overcome this crisis together as city. We will continue work to identify resources and services to support Austin businesses across all industries to be ready once we overcome the immediate threats of the quickly spreading COVID-19 virus.”
Travel
All travel including on-foot, bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, automobile, or public transit, with exception to purposes of essential travel, performing essential activities or going to work in essential business, government service, or critical infrastructure is prohibited.
Public transit must comply with social distancing requirements. Individuals may go on a walk, get exercise, or take a pet outside to go to the bathroom, as long as at least six feet of social distancing is maintained.
The city of Austin parks will continue to operate, along with CapMetro services.
Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
People experiencing homelessness are not subject to the shelter in place order but are encouraged to seek shelter.
The City will continue to work with state and local partners, to maximize available resources for the people experiencing homelessness.
View the complete City of Austin Public Health Order HERE.
“Our health professionals have told us we have to do more to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent a strain on our hospitals and resources,” said Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt. “While this order may be inconvenient, it is a necessity for the greater good. We are all in this together and we must all work together to flatten the curve of this pandemic to ensure that the spread is as manageable as possible for our healthcare system. We have seen these efforts employed to great effect in other parts of the world.”
As of 7 PM March 23, Austin-Travis County was reporting 86 positive cases of COVID-19.
If residents are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), avoid the risk of spread at clinics and hospitals by using telehealth virtual visits (see a list of services on this webpage) or calling their health provider.
Their physician will determine if there is another plausible diagnosis with similar symptoms (i.e. influenza).
Individuals without insurance or established healthcare providers experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should call CommUnityCare at 512-978-8775.
CommUnityCare will diagnose by phone and provide next steps.
Austin Public Health (APH) urges people to avoid going to urgent care or emergency rooms for COVID-19 testing or non-emergency needs to avoid overwhelming the health system or the emergency response system.
“We have adequate capacity at hospitals and ICUs for the next several weeks,” says interim health authority Dr. Escott. “With today’s order, Austin and Travis County continue to do their part to help other cities, counties and states contain the spread of the virus.”
Austin Public Health continues to stress the importance of practicing good personal hygiene and maintaining social distance during essential activities to disrupt the spread of the virus.
Proper hygiene practices include:
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The City of San Marcos today ORDERED :
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1. Childrens' Park -- Dog Park -- Skater Parks ----CLOSED
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2. ALL PARK RESTROOMS --- CLOSED......... (by signs posted on doors)
................................what a GREAT IDEA !!!!!
because the homeless population (who get kicked out of Southside Community Center every morning until allowed to return at evening time) NOW are now urinating and defecating in the bushes.
.
On my walk through City Park this morning I saw two of them doing exactly that
and thereafter found the signs posted on the doors. No disease to spread like this, nothing to see here folks...
ANOTHER GREAT REMEDY MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR CITY "LEADERS"