Austin Launches Guidelines For Events, Venues To Reopen

AUSTIN, TX — Austin city officials launched new guidelines Friday to allow venues and special events to reopen safely this year.

Austin Public Health's latest guidelines outline COVID-19 health and safety recommendations for indoor venues and new outdoor special event permit requirements for Austin Center for Events.

The indoor guidelines outline recommendations for venues such as social distancing and enhanced sanitation with permanent occupancy designed to establish a minimum standard for COVID-19 health and safety.

For outdoor events and venues, the city will require a permit from Austin Center for Events and a new special events permit.

Authorities said special event applicants will now be required to submit a "COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan" as part of the special event application through a new online form. All aspects of the application will remain digital.

Officials said these guidelines are a starting point for events to begin to happen again, and will be updated regularly as health conditions change.

“Austin Public Health reviewed key indicators which have been moving in the right direction,” said Dr. Mark Escott, Austin-Travis County's interim health authority. “We actually have a glimpse of normalcy as a reward of the hard work our community has done to protect each other with masking and hygiene practices but to make this a reality, we have to stay vigilant in the protection of ourselves and our community. If we see a surge in cases and hospitalizations, we have the flexibility to reconsider the scale of the event, modify the mitigation strategies, or cancel if needed.”

Since April 2020, the Austin Center for Events, in conjunction with Austin Public Health, have been working to develop an event reopening strategy which includes COVID-19 health and safety standards.

Authorities said the strategy includes guidelines and permit requirements which create a pathway for special events organizers to attain permits for their events. Feedback on these guidelines has been incorporated from event industry leaders.

“We understand the pandemic has caused incredible economic impacts on venues and special events and affected consumer confidence,” said City Manager Spencer Cronk. “Releasing these guidelines now indicates cautious optimism for events based on the current COVID-19 health conditions.”

Officials said the special event industry has asked the city for these guidelines, and they were developed in partnership with Austin-Travis County public safety agencies including Austin Public Health and Austin Center for Events and with Austin’s event industry leaders.

Event organizers can reference www.austintexas.gov/eventreopeningguide for a link to the guidance, review FAQs and register for virtual office hours to get outstanding questions answered.

Here are some updates on city-owned event facilities:

Austin Public Health is working closely with the city of Austin departments that have event facilities. Each department is operating on an independent reopening schedule, officials said.

• Austin Public Library Department announced the Austin Central Library will begin hosting private events and facility rentals beginning April 1 on a limited basis and at a reduced capacity. All events must receive approval by local health authorities and adhere to Austin–Travis County COVID-19 safety guidelines. More information is located at the rental page.
• Austin Convention Center Department has been given authorization by Austin Public Health to operate at 25% capacity and is expecting percentages to rise as the number of vaccinations increase. For more information visit Austin Convention Center or Palmer Events Center sites.
• The Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) continues to evaluate re-opening PARD facilities according to the City of Austin’s COVID-19 Risk Based Guidelines and in consultation with public health authorities. The reopening of picnic sites, event buildings, or special event sites will occur as conditions allow and in consideration of the reopening guidelines for specific sites. For more information on current PARD facility operations, visit austintexas.gov/parkclosures.