Coronavirus Business Restrictions Loosened In Travis County

AUSTIN, TX — The state on Saturday announced previous restrictions related to occupancy requirements and restrictions are canceled in Travis County given a sustained decrase in hospitalizations for the coronavirus.

The Department of State Health Services cited the gubernatorial order GA 32 that provides for potential implementation of further restrictions for businesses when COVID-19 hospitalizations represent 15 percent of all hospitalizations for seven consecutive days. As of Saturday, Trauma Service Area O — encompassing Travis and 10 other Central Texas counties — has been below 15% COVID-19 hospitalizations for seven consecutive days, officials said in an advisory.

The upshot: Businesses, including restaurants and retail, are now permitted to move to 75 percent occupancy from the previously mandated 50 percent occupancy, and hospitals are now able to resume elective surgeries.

“This is a clear sign that the COVID-19 situation in our region is improving,” Dr. Mark Escott, Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority, said in a prepared statement. “However, we cannot let up now. Let us be the leaders on how a community flattens a curve and keeps it flat. With less restrictions, comes more responsibility. We must continue to stay home and reduce risk to save lives."

Despite the loosened restrictions, Austin-Travis County remains in Stage 5 of the COVID-19 community risk level — the highest level alerting the public to coronavirus spread, colored in red for optimal warning effect. Health officials noted the risk-based guidelines are not changes to local orders, rules or regulations for businesses but are are guidelines for individual actions and behaviors.

Recommendations for Stage 5 include:

• No gatherings with anyone outside of your household.
• Dining and shopping should be limited to essential trips.
• Avoid non-essential travel.
• Businesses are recommended to operate through contactless options (I.e. curbside, delivery).

“It is critically important that everyone still follow protective measures,” said Stephanie Hayden-Howard, Austin Public Health Director. “Wearing a mask, washing your hands, watching your distance, and avoiding gatherings have been lifesaving measures throughout this pandemic. We will not be able to vaccinate our way out to flattening the curve right now, so we need to take it upon ourselves to protect our community to further drive down transmission.”

COVID-19 hospital data for the five-county Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) can be found on the Austin Public Health COVID-19 dashboards. Historical and raw data can be found on the COVID-19 Data Hub. For more information about COVID-19, visit the city's COVID-19 Information portal.