City Of Austin Offices, Facilities Close For New Year’s Holiday

In accordance with Stage 5 of the COVID-19 risk-based guidelines, and in recognition of the New Year’s holiday, the City of Austin has announced revised service schedules and office closures for City facilities and public services. 
 
Generally, City administrative and service offices will be closed on Friday, Jan. 1 for New Year’s holiday. However, some facilities will operate with modified hours.  

For specific office closures and operational changes, please refer to the respective City of Austin department websites or call 3-1-1. Residents can also submit service requests from the Austin 3-1-1 mobile app.

Trash, Recycling, and Composting/Yard Trimmings Schedules

Customers that would normally have their weekly collection on Friday, Jan. 1, will slide one day and receive regularly scheduled collections on Saturday, Jan. 2. 

Download the Austin Recycles App or visit austintexas.gov/myschedule for specific collection schedules.

The Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center is closed to the public due to Stage 5 COVID restrictions.

Residents may request a contactless home pickup of household hazardous waste online at the website austintexas.gov/dropoff. Items for reuse or recycling cannot be picked up at this time.

Austin Public Health COVID-19 Test Site Schedule and Dashboard

All Austin Public Health COVID-19 test sites will be open on Thursday, Dec. 31, and all Austin Public COVID-19 test sites will be closed on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. 

To schedule a COVID-19 test through Austin Public Health, visit austintexas.gov/covid19 or call 512-972-5560. Even for the walk-up test sites, an appointment is recommended to minimize wait times.
 
COVID-19 Dashboard Updates: Due to the holiday, the COVID-19 surveillance dashboard will not be updated Friday, Jan. 1. It will be updated Saturday, Jan. 2.

Walk-In Utility Payment Centers

Walk-in utility payment centers for Austin Energy and Austin Water are temporarily closed to the public. Customers who pay their utility bill at these locations are urged to pay online at www.coautilities.com or at authorized pay stations (i.e., most Austin H-E-B, Fiesta Mart, and Randall’s stores), or by mailing a check or money order to P.O. BOX 2267, Austin, TX 78783-2267.
 
Please visit austinenergy.com/go/paymentoptions or contact the Customer Care team at 512-494-9400 for more information.

Austin Animal Center Schedule

In accordance with COVID-19 Stage 5 closures, and in recognition of New Year’s Day, the Austin Animal Center will remain closed. 

Pet adoptions may be done online, with fosters, adopters, and rescues available for curbside pickup. The facility will not take any non-emergency owner surrenders, and finders of stray animals will need to make an intake request by calling Austin 3-1-1.

Austin Parks and Recreations Facilities

Most Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed on New Year’s Day, but there are a few exceptions. The following includes closures related to Stage 5 restrictions.

For a more complete list, visit the website, PARD Facilities Closures | AustinTexas.gov.

• All City of Austin Cultural Facilities remain closed to the public, and on-site offices will be closed New Year’s Day. The Zilker Botanical Gardens will be closed New Year’s Day.
• Golf Courses will be open Jan. 1, New Year’s Day.  
• Tennis Centers will be open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Day, Pharr Tennis Center will be open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The Caswell, South Austin, and Austin Tennis Centers will be open from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m.  
• All Austin pools will be closed New Year’s Day. On New Year’s Eve, pools with modified hours include Bartholomew Pool (12:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.), Barton Springs Pool (5 a.m. to 8 a.m. swim at your own risk), Big Stacy Pool (6 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and Deep Eddy Pool (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Austin Public Library

The Austin Public Library will be reducing curbside service hours by 25 percent. Curbside service hours are: Central Library, Monday & Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesday & Thursday, Noon – 8 p.m., Friday, Noon – 6 p.m.; Carver, Manchaca Road, North Village, Spicewood Springs, Windsor Park Branches, Monday & Wednesday, 2- 8 p.m.; Tuesday & Thursday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Friday, Noon – 6 p.m.; Hampton, Milwood, Old Quarry, Ruiz, and University Hills Branches, Monday & Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesday & Thursday, 2-8 p.m., Friday, Noon – 6 p.m.
 
Continued Health And Safety Observance Urged

Austin-Travis County leaders remind the public to continue to be vigilant and practice good hygiene, physical and social distancing, and wear masks to prevent the disease from spreading and help keep each other safe.

Avoiding gatherings outside of your household is especially important this holiday season. COVID-19 holiday safety recommendations can be found at AustinTexas.gov/HolidaySafety.