Restaurants are limited to drive-thru and pick-up service, bars must close, and indoor and outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited in Austin effective noon Tuesday. Critical infrastructure, like grocery stores, pharmacies, government buildings, schools and hospitals, are exempt from the order, Dr. Mark Escott, interim director of Austin Public Health, said as […]
COVID-19
Posted inAustin
COVID-19 to impact local 2020 U.S. Census effort
This past week in Austin two big initiatives took place nearly simultaneously – the start of the 2020 U.S. Census and the indefinite extension of the emergency disaster declaration in response to COVID-19. Unsurprisingly, the pandemic is having an impact on the census count. Mariana Salazar, who is the Census 2020 project director at United […]
Posted inLand Development Code
LDC vote postponed due to COVID-19
The new Land Development Code, which was moving toward final passage with the support of seven Council members just a few days ago, has now been relegated to the back burner as Mayor Steve Adler and City Council look at ways to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Although Adler had written about scheduling […]
Posted inPublic Health
Doctors, first responders see need for more resources – and distancing – before COVID-19 cases rise
As Central Texas prepares for an inevitable spike in COVID-19 diagnoses, medical professionals are calling on local officials to address unmet needs and implement tighter restrictions on public gatherings. In an open letter to officials Monday, nearly 200 doctors asked authorities to “implement mandatory lockdown measures to enforce social distancing.” “Public health officials should not […]
Posted inAustin
Coalition demands swift city, county COVID-19 response
A coalition of area advocacy organizations hosted a press conference Monday stressing the importance of providing effective solutions to the most vulnerable populations in our communities. The organizations, which include Grassroots Leadership, Workers Defense Project, Austin EMS Association, Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity, Youth Rise Texas, Community of Color United for Racial Justice, and Texas […]
Posted inAustin
What’s happening, what’s not, and how to help
Health Care For general information about COVID-19, as well as the latest, most accurate information about recommendations, warnings, prevention and testing, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site dedicated to the virus. The Texas Department of State Health Services is working with the CDC and maintaining its own output of Texas-specific information. General […]
Posted inAustin
Virus impact grabs attention from transit, land use at panel for NW Austin Council members
Even with long-term issues such as local transit and the city’s proposed new Land Development Code up for debate, three City Council members representing the Northwest Austin area couldn’t get away from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic during a Wednesday panel discussion. Organized by the Austin Chamber and the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, […]
Posted inCity Council
Local disaster declaration extended indefinitely
As expected, Mayor Steve Adler has extended the local state of disaster declaration indefinitely, with the unanimous consent of City Council. On March 6, the mayor declared a local state of disaster for one week due to concerns over the new coronavirus, but he needed Council’s approval to extend that declaration. The city joined Travis […]
Posted inTravis County
Rodeo Austin, Luck Reunion are the latest events called off in Austin over coronavirus concerns
Rodeo Austin and Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion will not be held this spring. Organizers received word from Travis County officials Thursday that the public health risk was too great. There will also be no fans at Austin sporting events for the near term amid concerns over the coronavirus. As of Thursday evening, there were no […]
Posted inAustin
Council to examine aid for ‘SXSW resilience’ after festival’s cancellation
City Council and staffers will spend much of next week looking at how to provide assistance to small businesses and workers who stand to be severely impacted by last week’s decision to cancel the South by Southwest festival. In a post on Council’s web forum titled “SXSW Resilience Plan,” Council Member Jimmy Flannigan laid out […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis County Commissioners Court extends emergency disaster declaration
Following the local disaster declaration last Friday, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously extended the county’s disaster declaration in light of ongoing concerns about public health risks associated with COVID-19. This state of emergency will continue indefinitely or until the Commissioners Court rescinds it. The declaration announced March 6 is valid only for a week. […]
Posted inAustin
UT Austin opens health clinic, weighs closure plan as it prepares for potential coronavirus spread
UT Austin said Monday it’s preparing to move all classes online if COVID-19 cases are confirmed in the Austin area. The university is also advising students on how to avoid spreading the disease and how to travel safely over spring break. Members of UT’s administration talked Tuesday about the strategies they are developing. Here’s what […]