Williamson and Travis counties enacted a shelter-in-place order effective midnight Tuesday in a concerted effort to thwart the spread of coronavirus.
In a media briefing noon Tuesday, Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said the coronavirus knows no boundaries, and that counties must work collaboratively to thwart the virus’ spread. He also called for the community to care for each other, especially seniors and children.
“What we’re really asking for is to come together and take care of those around us,” he said. “Let’s use the technology we have to check in with these folks.”
Dr. Lori Palazzo, the Williamson County health authority, emphasized the safety of seniors in enacting the order. She said people ages 65 or older account for 80% of deaths in the U.S. due to the coronavirus.
“Our goal is to protect all of our residents, but especially this vulnerable population,” she said.
Gravell said the particulars of the shelter-in-place order will be provided at wilco.org later Tuesday.
The shelter in place order could be similar to one issued in Dallas, which banned any public or private gatherings outside of a home. All non-essential businesses were forced to closed under that order, with the exceptions of grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants providing takeout orders and deliveries, medical facilities, pharmacies, big-box stores, hardware stores and laundry services.
In a statement posted on Facebook early Tuesday, Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan said he expected more counties to follow Williamson and Travis in calling for people to remain at home and only essential businesses remaining open.
As the city has implemented restrictions such as closing most city buildings to the public and many restaurants already stopping dine-in service, Morgan said the order will not have a dramatic effect on current activities within Round Rock.
“Many of those guidelines such as going to get groceries, medicines, exercise and take out and delivery of food from restaurants are still OK and essential,” he said. “There will be some additional businesses it will affect however, many of those have already implemented a voluntary policy to close in Round Rock.”
Morgan also hinted at city plans to help businesses with 50 or fewer employees weather the financial strains created by the pandemic.
“I know we have many people and businesses hurting during this time and it kills me,” he said.
The county orders come after 19 people in Williamson County have tested positive for coronavirus as of Tuesday, according to the Williamson County and Cities Health District.
Three people in Round Rock, six in Georgetown, five in Cedar Park, three in Northwest Austin and two in Leander tested positive for the virus, the health district said.
Most positive cases included men and women who were either exposed to a confirmed case or who were unaware of any prior exposure to the virus. A woman in her 30s and a man in his 40s who tested positive had traveled to a country dealing with the spread of coronavirus, the district said.
Round Rock tightens regulations
As a precaution, the Round Rock City Council canceled its regular packet briefing on Tuesday and set tighter regulations for its regular meeting Thursday. While remaining a public meeting, city officials will be practicing social distancing and limiting visitors to the council chambers.
City officials will be blocking off chairs at the meeting to more easily comply with the social distancing guidelines and providing hand sanitizers and bleach wipes. Vendors and contractors who typically attend the meeting have also been asked to not attend in order to limit the size of the audience.
City staff will exit the chambers if the number of visitors in the room exceeds 10 people to comply with a county order prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people.
Lobbies at all city facilities remain closed to the public, excluding the the Police Department lobby.
While the Round Rock Public Library remains closed to the public, it continues to offer curbside service for books put on hold from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Books must be put on hold through the library’s website, roundrocktexas.gov/departments/library.
Free meals offered to students
The Round Rock school district is providing breakfast and lunch for students as schools remain closed through April 3.
Children under the age of 19 can pick up breakfast from 8-9 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following locations:
• Anderson Mill Elementary, 10610 Salt Mill Hollow, Austin
• Bluebonnet Elementary, 1010 Chisholm Valley Dr, Round Rock
• Caldwell Heights Elementary, 4010 Eagles Nest St, Round Rock
• Callison Elementary, 1750 Thompson Trail, Round Rock
• C.D. Fulkes Middle School, 300 W Anderson Ave, Round Rock
• Double File Trail Elementary, 2400 Chandler Creek Blvd, Round Rock
• Forest North Elementary, 13414 Broadmeade Ave., Austin
• Hernandez Middle School, 1901 Sunrise Rd, Round Rock
• Joe Lee Johnson Elementary, 2800 Sauls Dr, Austin
• Success High School, 500 Gattis School Rd, Round Rock
• Union Hill Elementary, 1511 Gulf Way, Round Rock
Updates from the school district concerning the coronavirus are available at roundrockisd.org/coronavirus.
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