Current COVID Guidelines in Austin Texas
Like many U.S. cities, Austin continues its fight to slow the spread of COVID-19. With vaccine rollouts still a work in progress and a new, more contagious strain on the rise, safety precautions are more important than ever.
Read on for an up-to-date rundown of Austin’s current COVID guidelines.
Overview
Austin remains under a Stage 5 alert through at least the middle of February, 2021. The City of Austin’s “Stay Home, Mask, and Otherwise Be Safe” orders will extend through February 16th, with possible future extensions. The campaign calls on residents and visitors to continue practicing social-distancing measures, along with proper hygiene and face-covering.
Non-essential travel should be avoided at this time. It is recommended to take advantage of contactless options when applicable, such as curbside pickup and delivery.
Indoor Restrictions
For the duration of Stage 5, venues serving food and drink may operate between the hours of 10:30PM to 6:00AM via drive-thru, takeout, curbside pickup or delivery service. Venues may carry out responsible indoor dining operations between the hours of 6:00AM to 10:30PM. Failure to adhere to current restrictions can result in a fine of up to $1,000.
Indoor businesses are currently allowed to operate at 75% of their listed total capacity. Religious services are permitted to operate as normal. It is encouraged to follow proper safety protocols when possible.
Weddings and receptions held in houses of worship are not subject to occupancy limits, but proper safety measures are highly encouraged. Ceremonies held elsewhere are subject to a 75% limit of the venue’s total occupancy.
Outdoor Restrictions
Bans on social gatherings of more than 10 people apply to outdoor activities. Safety measures including social-distancing and facial-covering should continue to observed.
The following outdoor areas are subject to a 75% occupancy limit: swimming pools, museums/libraries, zoos/aquariums, natural caverns, amusement parks and water parks.
Professional and collegiate sporting events are subject to a 50% capacity limit, regardless of whether the venue is indoors or outside. This includes rodeos and equestrian events.
There is currently no occupancy limit to drive-in events such as cinema or concerts. Attendees of such events are asked to remain in their vehicles. Closed spaces like vehicles should only be shared with members of the same household.
Facial Coverings
The use of facial coverings is still required for all employees and customers in the City of Austin. Many who contract COVID-19 remain asymptomatic, but are still highly contagious and capable of passing on the virus to others who may be at higher risk.
Face-coverings have been proven to significantly reduce the risk of transmission, and are a huge step in hindering community spread.
Adhering to these guidelines will help us move forward towards the brighter days ahead. We hope these tips will help you and your loved ones to stay safe and healthy.
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