Austin Public Health leaders are asking the community to consider celebrating Easter week differently than normal to avoid a third surge of Covid-19 cases. During a news conference Wednesday, interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott encouraged people to take part in virtual church services instead of gathering in person. He said those who do choose […]
COVID-19
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
City offers guidelines for events to reopen safely amid pandemic concerns
The city has released a new set of guidelines for event safety that looks to provide some clarity and help a critical piece of the local economy recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. On Friday the Austin Center for Events published the 13-page “Bringing Events Back” report that breaks down recommendations for how […]
Posted inPublic Health
Health officials urge Austinites to get tested for Covid if they traveled over spring break
About a quarter of adults in Travis County have gotten at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and the Austin area is seeing record-low numbers of coronavirus cases. But health officials were clear at a news conference Friday morning: “We’re not out of the woods yet.” There are at least two Covid-19 variants now […]
Posted inAustin
Rescue plan gives Central Texas $500 million
According to U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin), Travis County is set to receive $247.08 million and the city of Austin an estimated $195.8 million under the American Rescue Plan, approved by Congress and signed yesterday by President Joe Biden. The money for states is generally determined by population, while also using unemployment as a criteria. […]
Posted inCourts
Adler, Brown say they won’t back down as Paxton threatens suit
Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Andy Brown Wednesday threatening a lawsuit if Austin and Travis County do not rescind rules devised by Austin’s health authority to slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Those rules include the requirement that adults wear face masks when entering […]
Posted inAustin
Texas is lifting its mask mandate and Covid restrictions on businesses. Here’s what that means.
Lee esta historia en español. Texas is reopening 100 percent, ending the statewide mask mandate and lifting Covid-related restrictions on businesses. Here’s a rundown of Gov. Greg Abbott’s order and what it means for local officials, schools and businesses. What does the order do? It pretty much does what you think it does – lifts […]
Posted inHousing
County approves millions toward emergency rental assistance
The county is receiving $10.7 million in federal relief funds from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, designated for an emergency rental assistance program, or ERAP. In January it was announced that the county would receive the funding and yesterday the Commissioners Court unanimously approved implementation of the program. Sherri Fleming, county […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin Public Health to start opening Covid-19 vaccine appointments every Monday evening
Starting yesterday, Austin Public Health will be releasing appointments every Monday evening for first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Prior to this, officials were opening appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays, somewhat sporadically. The specific days and the number of these appointments will vary each week depending on how many vaccines the city gets from state health […]
Posted inPublic Health
‘It is now time to open Texas 100 percent,’ Gov. Greg Abbott says
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he’s lifting statewide executive orders that limit occupancy for businesses and require Texans to wear masks in public spaces. “Effective next Wednesday, all businesses of any type are allowed to open 100 percent,” Abbott said. The governor said businesses can limit capacity or “implement additional safety protocols” if they wish […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin Public Health plans to administer 37,000 Covid-19 vaccines this week after storm delayed efforts
Austin Public Health is working overtime this week to try to administer 37,000 Covid-19 vaccines after the winter storm delayed vaccination efforts for more than a week. That number is much higher than what APH has been able to administer per week so far. The staff is extending hours and days of operation at vaccination […]
Posted inEnergy
Just before the storms, Austin Energy gave Covid relief update
Before winter storm Uri wrought devastation and widespread power outages, Austin Energy was focused on the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and its accompanying economic damage. In April of last year, City Council approved measures collectively providing $46 million in utility bill relief for qualifying Austin residents. The plan was to end the new program in September. […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin Public Health resumes Covid testing and vaccinations after winter storm put them on pause
Austin Public Health is resuming Covid-19 vaccinations and testing after the winter storm put operations on hold for more than a week. But the agency, whose staff was also impacted by the weather that left thousands without power and water for days, warns that it will take time to get everything back to normal. “It […]