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The Metros

Austin

The Austin file holds 83 instruments from the counties, cities, health officers, courts and transit authorities of the area, 83 of them with the exhibit file held by The COVID Project. The statewide orders that ran over the same ground are in the Texas file.

Code AUSState TexasFirst closure or stay-at-home order Mar. 17, 2020 Ex. MET-AUS-001Orders reaching 2021 Q3 25Primary source read 76 Confirmed from a secondary source 7
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The Austin file

The record in brief

Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt declared a local disaster due to public health emergency on March 6, 2020 (Tex. Gov't Code 418.108(a)) (Ex. MET-AUS-035), the same day Mayor Steve Adler declared a local disaster for Austin and cancelled South by Southwest; Williamson County declared March 14 (Ex. -077) and Hays County March 15, 2020 (Ex. -069). The gathering layer came first: Travis County Order 2020-1 (effective March 15) prohibited community gatherings of 250 or more (Ex. -036); Austin's Order of March 17 prohibited community gatherings of 10 or more and closed dining rooms and bars until May 1 (Ex. -001); Hays County barred gatherings of 10 or more from March 18 (Ex. -070); Travis County's Orders of March 20 and 21 and Austin's Order 20200321-006 prohibited social gatherings of more than 10, closed dining rooms and bars and ordered critical infrastructure to continue under written obligations, each a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and/or 180 days (Exs. -037, -038, -091, -002). The stay-home layer took effect at 11:59 p.m. March 24, 2020 in Austin (Order 20200324-007) and Travis County (Order 2020-5): all individuals ordered to shelter at their residence except for Essential Activities; all businesses other than Essential Businesses, Essential Government Functions and Critical Infrastructure required to cease all activities at facilities except Minimum Basic Operations; all gatherings outside a household prohibited; all travel prohibited except Essential Travel (Exs. -003, -039). Hays County's 3rd Order (effective 11 p.m. March 26 to 4 a.m. April 10, 2020) added an 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew, household isolation and an elder-care visitor ban, with a $500 fine (Ex. -072); Williamson County's Stay Home Stay Safe Order of March 24, 2020 (not in the library) is recited in Ex. -081. The Health Authority's control orders of March 13 (screening of every entrant to every healthcare facility) and April 2020 (long-term care) ran under Tex. Health & Safety Code 81.082 and 81.084 (Exs. -034, -033); the Travis criminal courts and the Williamson family courts suspended jury trials and moved hearings online (Exs. -060, -083, -084); Travis County put its departments on telework March 16 (Ex. -063) and barred eviction notices from April 10, 2020 (Ex. -057). Second quarter 2020: Austin Order 20200413-009 and Travis Order 2020-7 (April 13) extended the stay-home orders to May 8, 2020 and required every person over 10 to cover nose and mouth when leaving home (Exs. -004, -040); after GA-18 the Austin Orders of May 8 and May 29 and Travis Order 2020-8 (to June 15) kept the framework as 'guidance beyond the Governor's orders', ordered distancing, hygiene and face-covering behaviors, kept non-essential business closed to the extent not reopened by GA-18, GA-21 and GA-23, required test-result reporting and recited that 'No civil or criminal penalty will be imposed for failure to wear a face covering' (Exs. -005, -006, -041); CapMetro went fare-free with rear-door boarding and rider face coverings (Ex. -088). Mid-June 2020 brought the business-mandate layer the Governor endorsed on June 17: Austin Orders 20200615-013 (groups over 10 prohibited; Stage 4) and 20200617-014 (every commercial entity serving the public must adopt and post a face-covering policy for employees and visitors) (Exs. -007, -008); Travis Order 2020-12 and Hays County's 4th Order (June 18) imposed the same mandate (Exs. -042, -073, -085); Travis Order 2020-13 (June 26 to July 10) barred outdoor gatherings over 100 and socializing in groups over 10 and capped outdoor venues at 50 percent (Ex. -043). Third quarter 2020: Austin Order 20200702-017 (12:01 p.m. July 3 through August 15) ordered every business, commercial entity, office common area and venue to implement and maintain a policy requiring employees, customers and visitors to wear face coverings, each day a separate offense, fine up to $1,000 (Ex. -010); the Health Authority's Emergency Rules of July 14 and August 14, 2020 required face coverings outside the residence and imposed site rules (twice-daily disinfection, gatherings of 10 or less, six feet between groups, daily worker pre-screening) (Exs. -026, -028); its July 14 order barred every school system in Travis County from on-campus instruction until after September 7, 2020 (Ex. -027); the civil courts held remote hearings only (Ex. -061). Austin Order 20200815-019 and Travis Order 2020-16 (effective August 16, 2020) carried the regime through the quarter (recited in Exs. -013 and -044; not in the library); the eviction orders were renewed (Ex. -012). Fourth quarter 2020 and first quarter 2021: the Health Authority's rules were continued November 6 and reissued December 15, 2020 (Ex. -029); Austin Order 20201215-021 and Travis Order 2020-21 (December 16, 2020 through February 16, 2021) re-imposed the gathering cap of 10, face coverings and the business face-covering policies (Exs. -013, -044); the Stage 5 orders of December 23, 2020 (through January 11, 2021) urged residents to stay home 10:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and recommended indoor-dining closure, 50 percent outdoor dining, a 10:30 p.m. dine-in halt and 50 percent retail (Exs. -014, -046); Austin Order 20210216-026 (February 17 through April 21, 2021) renewed the business face-covering policies (Ex. -017); the civil courts' Fourth Amended Emergency Order (March 1, 2021) made every hearing and trial remote (Ex. -062). GA-34 (effective March 10, 2021) ended the State's operating limits and forbade any jurisdiction to require face coverings; Austin and Travis County kept their mandates through the Health Authority's rules and the Commissioners Court's March 9, 2021 order making a non-compliant site a public health nuisance with $500 citations and civil suits (Ex. -047); the rules of April 13 and May 18, 2021 kept face coverings mandatory indoors at every site in the City (Exs. -048, -019). Second quarter 2021 close: GA-36 (May 18, 2021; penalties from 11:59 p.m. May 21) barred every governmental entity from requiring face coverings; the Health Authority withdrew its rules as guidance effective May 21 (Ex. -020) and Travis County Judge Order 2021-05 recorded that the Commissioners Court's May 18 order was 'no longer in effect' (Ex. -049); the eviction orders ran to August 1, 2021 (Exs. -021, -058, -066). Third quarter 2021: on July 1 the local disaster declarations, the courts' remote-proceeding order, the eviction orders and the CDC transit mask order on CapMetro were in force; after GA-38 (July 29, 2021) and with the Delta wave, Austin and Travis County renewed the eviction orders for August 1 to October 15, 2021 (Exs. -022, -059), the Mayor ordered face coverings in every public school and public college (Orders 20210811-032 and 20210813-034) and at every City facility (Order 20210811-033, fine up to $1,000) (Exs. -023, -025, -024), the Health Authority adopted school and college mask rules effective August 11, 17 and 21 through December 10, 2021 (Exs. -030 to -032), the Travis County Judge ordered face coverings in schools (Orders 2021-08/08a) and County facilities (Order 2021-09, amended August 13 and 24; terminated March 22, 2022) (Exs. -050 to -052, -055, -056), the Commissioners Court adopted the school rules under the nuisance framework August 17 and 24 (Exs. -053, -054), Austin ISD required masks from August 11 (Ex. -089) and Hays County from August 15, 2021 (Ex. -075). No stay of the Austin, Travis or Hays orders appears in either library; the Supreme Court of Texas stays of August 15 and 26, 2021 ran against Dallas, Bexar and Harris Counties (Exs. TX-044 to TX-046).

The six quarters

What the record shows in force in Austin on the first day and the last day of each quarter. Every exhibit named here opens its record. The orders of March 13 to 31, 2020 belong to the second quarter of 2020, because wages paid after March 12, 2020 fall in that quarter.

QuarterFirst dayLast day
2020 Q2Second quarter of 2020The quarter nationally →April 1, 2020: Austin Stay Home - Work Safe Order 20200324-007 (to April 13) (Ex. MET-AUS-003); Travis County Stay Home - Work Safe Order 2020-5 (to April 13) (Ex. -039); Hays County 3rd Order Stay at Home, Work Safe (to 4 a.m. April 10; curfew 11 p.m.-4 a.m.; household isolation; elder-care visitor ban) (Ex. -072); Williamson County Stay Home Stay Safe Order of March 24 (not in library; recited in Ex. -081) and the golf-course conditions order (Ex. -081); Health Authority control orders on healthcare facilities and long-term care (Exs. -034, -033); Travis criminal courts closed to jury trials to May 8 (Ex. -060); Williamson family-court jury trials continued through June 30 and hearings virtual (Exs. -083, -084); Travis County telework directive (Ex. -063); CapMetro fare-free, rear-door boarding and rider face coverings from April 1 (Ex. -088); local disaster declarations (Exs. -035, -069, -077); GA-14 statewide from April 2.June 30, 2020: Austin Order 20200615-013 (groups over 10 prohibited; face coverings; Stage 4; to August 15) (Ex. -007) and Order 20200617-014 (mandatory business face-covering policies, to August 15) (Ex. -008); Austin Order 20200626-016 Stay Home, Mask, and Be Safe (June 26 to July 3; truncated file) (Ex. -009); Travis Order 2020-12 (mandatory commercial-entity face-covering policies, to August 15) (Ex. -042); Travis Order 2020-13 (outdoor gatherings over 100 prohibited; groups over 10; outdoor venues 50 percent; to July 10) (Ex. -043); Travis Order 2020-11 Prevention Guidelines (June 16; not in library); Hays 4th Order as amended June 26 (commercial-entity face-covering policies; face coverings for persons 10 and over; outdoor gatherings of 100 or more prohibited in unincorporated areas; to July 20) (Exs. -073, -085); Travis Civil and Family Courts Third Amended Emergency Order (remote hearings from June 29; no jury trials before August 17) (Ex. -061); eviction restrictions continued by successor orders (Ex. -064 to June 1; successors not in library); GA-28 statewide.
2020 Q3Third quarter of 2020The quarter nationally →July 1, 2020: Exs. -007, -008, -009 (Austin), -042, -043 (Travis), -073, -085 (Hays), -061 (courts), -088 (CapMetro), declarations; GA-28; GA-29 from 12:01 p.m. July 3; Austin Order 20200702-017 from 12:01 p.m. July 3 (Ex. -010).September 30, 2020: Austin Order 20200815-019 (August 15, 2020; successor to Ex. -010; not in library, recited in Ex. -013 § 14) and Travis Order 2020-16 (August 14, effective August 16, 2020: gatherings over 10 prohibited, face coverings, business health and safety policies; not in library, recited in Ex. -044); Health Authority Emergency Rules of August 14, 2020 (face coverings outside the residence; site rules; to November 12, 2020) (Ex. -028); Health Authority school order of July 14, 2020 (no on-campus instruction until after September 7, 2020; later treatment not in exhibits) (Ex. -027); Austin eviction Order 20200930-20 (September 30 through December 31, 2020) (Ex. -012); Travis eviction orders of September 30 and October 9, 2020 (recited in Ex. -045; not in library); Travis Civil and Family Courts Third Amended Emergency Order (Ex. -061); GA-29, GA-30, GA-31 statewide.
2020 Q4Fourth quarter of 2020The quarter nationally →October 1, 2020: as on September 30, 2020 (Exs. -028, -012, -061; Austin 20200815-019 and Travis 2020-16 recited); GA-29, GA-30, GA-31; GA-32 from October 14.December 31, 2020: Austin Order 20201215-021 (December 16, 2020 through February 16, 2021: gatherings over 10 prohibited; individual face coverings; mandatory business face-covering policies; test-result reporting; fines to $1,000) (Ex. -013); Travis Order 2020-21 (December 16, 2020 through February 16, 2021: same) (Ex. -044); Austin Order 20201223-023 and Travis Order 2020-23 Stage 5 (December 23, 2020 through January 11, 2021: stay home 10:30 p.m.-5:00 a.m. urged; indoor dining closure, outdoor 50 percent and dine-in curfew recommended; retail 50 percent recommended) (Exs. -014, -046); Health Authority Rules of December 15, 2020 (to April 15, 2021) (Ex. -029; recited in Exs. -047, -048); Travis eviction Order 2020-22 (December 17, 2020 through February 1, 2021) (Ex. -045) and Austin Order 20201217-022 (recited in Ex. -016); GA-29, GA-32 statewide.
2021 Q1First quarter of 2021The quarter nationally →January 1, 2021: Exs. -013, -044 (through February 16); -014, -046 (Stage 5, through January 11); -029 (Health Authority Rules); -045 (evictions to February 1); Travis Civil and Family Courts Third Amended Emergency Order (Ex. -061); GA-29, GA-32.March 31, 2021: Austin Order 20210216-026 (February 17 through April 21, 2021: mandatory business face-covering policies; individual face coverings; deadlines extended to December 31, 2021) (Ex. -017); Health Authority Rules of December 15, 2020 for the City (to April 15, 2021) (Ex. -029) and Emergency Rules for unincorporated Travis County (March 4 to April 15, 2021; Exhibit A to Ex. -047); Travis Commissioners Court order of March 9, 2021 mandating compliance with the Health Authority rules, $500 citations, nuisance abatement (Ex. -047); Travis Civil and Family Courts Fourth Amended Emergency Order (March 1, 2021: all hearings and trials remote) (Ex. -062); Austin eviction Order 20210128-025 (to April 1, 2021) (Ex. -016) and Travis eviction Order 2021-03 (March 30 through May 1, 2021) (Ex. -067); Hays disaster declaration continued to about April 27, 2021 (Ex. -076); GA-34 statewide from March 10 (no State limits; local mask mandates barred by the State's terms).
2021 Q2Second quarter of 2021The quarter nationally →April 1, 2021: Exs. -017 (to April 21), -029 and -047 (Health Authority rules and Commissioners Court order to April 15, then Ex. -048 from April 13 to May 18), -062 (courts), -067 (evictions to May 1), -016 (Austin evictions to April 1); GA-34; GA-35 from April 5.June 30, 2021: Travis Civil and Family Courts Fourth Amended Emergency Order (Ex. -062); Austin eviction Order 20210527-030 § 3 (June 1 through August 1, 2021) (Ex. -021); Travis eviction Orders 2021-04 §§ 3-4 (June 1 and May 1 through August 1, 2021) and 2021-06 (clarifying) (Exs. -058, -066); Travis County Judge Order 2021-05 (County facilities follow Health Authority guidance) (Ex. -049); Health Authority guidance (rules withdrawn May 21, 2021) (Ex. -020); CDC transit mask order on CapMetro (Ex. -087); local disaster declarations (Austin, Travis); GA-34 as modified by GA-36; SB 968; HB 1239.
2021 Q3Third quarter of 2021The quarter nationally →July 1, 2021: Exs. -062 (remote court proceedings), -021 and -058/-066 (eviction orders to August 1), -049 (County facilities under Health Authority guidance), -087 (CDC transit order on CapMetro), the Austin and Travis local disaster declarations; Austin Public Health Risk-Based Guidelines (Stage 3 on July 1; guidance only); statewide: disaster declaration, GA-34 as modified by GA-36, GA-35, Supreme Court Thirty-Eighth Emergency Order.September 30, 2021: Austin eviction Order 20210730-031 § 3 (September 1 through October 15, 2021) (Ex. -022); Travis eviction Order 2021-07 §§ 3-4 (September 1 through October 15, 2021) (Ex. -059); Austin Order 20210813-034 (face coverings in public schools, charter schools and public colleges during Stages 3-5) (Ex. -025) and Order 20210811-033 (face coverings at City facilities; fine to $1,000) (Ex. -024); Health Authority Rules of August 21, 2021 (schools and public colleges; to December 10, 2021) (Ex. -032); Travis County Judge Amended Order 2021-08a (schools and public colleges) (Ex. -051); Travis County Judge Order 2021-09a and the Commissioners Court Amended Order of August 24, 2021 (face coverings in designated County facilities; fine to $1,000; terminated March 22, 2022) (Exs. -052, -055, -056); Travis Commissioners Court Resolution and Order of August 24, 2021 (schools not complying are public health nuisances) (Ex. -054); Hays County school mask order (Ex. -075); Austin ISD mask requirement (Ex. -089); Travis Civil and Family Courts remote-proceeding order (Ex. -062; successor not in library); CapMetro under the CDC order (Ex. -087); local disaster declarations; statewide GA-38 and GA-39.

The end of general restrictions

The day the general business restrictions ended in Austin, the instrument that ended them, and what the record shows still in force afterward. The end of the general orders is not the end of the record: sector rules, standing duties and the federal layer continue past it.

End of general restrictions

Instrument For the local layer: the Health Authority's Notice of Withdrawal and Transition to Guidance (Ex. MET-AUS-020) and Travis County Judge Order 2021-05 (Ex. MET-AUS-049), both effective May 21, 2021, issued in response to GA-36 (May 18, 2021; penalties from 11:59 p.m. May 21, 2021) (Ex. TX-031). The State's general business restrictions had ended on March 10, 2021 under GA-34 (Ex. TX-029); Austin's last mandatory business face-covering order (Order 20210216-026, Ex. MET-AUS-017) ran by its terms to April 21, 2021 and the Health Authority's site rules (Exs. -048, -019) to May 21, 2021.

What remained in force

The Austin and Travis County local disaster declarations (recited in every 2021 order; the Hays declaration lapsed in spring 2021 and was reinstated August 13, 2021, Ex. -075); the Travis County Civil and Family Courts' Fourth Amended Emergency Order (remote hearings and trials; Ex. -062); the Austin and Travis County eviction orders (Austin 20210527-030 to August 1, 2021, then 20210730-031 to October 15, 2021; Travis 2021-04/2021-06 to August 1, 2021, then 2021-07 to October 15, 2021) (Exs. -021, -022, -058, -066, -059); the Justices of the Peace standing orders abating non-payment evictions (recited in Exs. -059 and -066); the Travis County Judge's direction that County facilities follow Health Authority guidance (Ex. -049); the CDC conveyance mask order on CapMetro (Ex. -087; federal instrument in the FED file); the Austin Public Health Risk-Based Guidelines as guidance; and, from August 11-24, 2021, the school, college and public-facility mask orders and rules listed in q3_2021_in_force.

The State and the local orders

The State's chain, as it reached the Austin orders: (1) GA-14 (March 31, 2020, effective April 2) and every general order after it provided that the executive order 'shall supersede any conflicting order issued by local officials in response to the COVID-19 disaster, but only to the extent that such a local order restricts essential services allowed by this executive order or allows gatherings prohibited by this executive order' (Ex. TX-008); Austin's and Travis County's stay-home orders of March 24 and April 13, 2020 were not superseded and ran to May 8, 2020 by their terms (Exs. MET-AUS-003, -004, -039, -040). (2) GA-18 (April 27, 2020) provided that 'no jurisdiction can impose a civil or criminal penalty for failure to wear a face covering' (Ex. TX-011); from May 8, 2020 every Austin and Travis order recited that 'No civil or criminal penalty will be imposed for failure to wear a face covering' while keeping the face-covering requirement as an order to individuals (Exs. -005, -006, -007, -041). (3) On June 17, 2020 the Governor announced that 'local governments can require stores and business to require masks' (recited verbatim in Exs. -042 and -043); Austin (June 17), Travis County (June 18) and Hays County (June 18) then mandated business health and safety policies requiring face coverings of employees and visitors, enforced against the business (Exs. -008, -042, -073); GA-26 as amended by the June 23, 2020 proclamation let county judges restrict outdoor gatherings over 100, which Travis (June 26) and Hays (June 26) did (Exs. -043, -085). (4) GA-29 (July 2, 2020) made face coverings mandatory statewide and deleted the no-penalty clause; Austin Order 20200702-017 enforced GA-28 and GA-29 locally with $250 individual fines and $1,000 business fines (Ex. -010). (5) GA-34 (March 2, 2021, effective March 10) rescinded GA-29 and GA-32 and provided that 'no person may be required by any jurisdiction to wear or to mandate the wearing of a face covering' and that 'no jurisdiction may impose a penalty of any kind for failure to wear a face covering or failure to mandate that customers or employees wear face coverings' (Ex. TX-029); Austin and Travis County did not rescind: the Health Authority's rules for the City (December 15, 2020 to April 15, 2021; April 13 to May 18, 2021; May 18 to June 15, 2021) and for unincorporated Travis County (March 4 to April 15, 2021), and the Commissioners Court's order of March 9, 2021 mandating compliance with those rules under Tex. Health & Safety Code 121.003 and 341.011 with $500 citations and civil nuisance suits, kept face coverings mandatory at every site in Austin and Travis County through May 21, 2021 (Exs. -047, -048, -019, -029). (6) GA-36 (May 18, 2021) provided that 'No governmental entity, including a county, city, school district, and public health authority, and no governmental official may require any person to wear a face covering or to mandate that another person wear a face covering,' with $1,000 fines on local officials from 11:59 p.m. May 21, 2021 and TEA school mask policies allowed only to June 4, 2021 (Ex. TX-031); the Health Authority withdrew its rules effective May 21, 2021 (Ex. -020) and Travis County Judge Order 2021-05 of May 21, 2021 recorded that the May 18, 2021 Commissioners Court order was 'no longer in effect' (Ex. -049). (7) GA-38 (July 29, 2021) consolidated the prohibitions, suspended Gov't Code 418.1015(b) and 418.108 and Health & Safety Code ch. 81 subch. E and chs. 121, 122 and 341 and Local Gov't Code ch. 54 to the extent of any inconsistent local order, and made a conflicting local limitation a 'failure to comply' subject to a $1,000 fine (Ex. TX-036); Austin (Orders 20210811-032, -033 and 20210813-034), the Health Authority (rules of August 11, 17 and 21, 2021), Travis County (Orders 2021-08, 2021-08a, 2021-09, 2021-09a; Commissioners Court orders of August 17 and 24, 2021, resting on Health & Safety Code 121.003 and 341.011 and reciting that the Health Authority may impose control measures 'unless specifically preempted') and Hays County (August 13, 2021) nonetheless ordered face coverings in schools, colleges and public facilities from August 11-15, 2021 (Exs. -023 to -025, -030 to -032, -050 to -055, -075). The Supreme Court of Texas stayed the Dallas County and Bexar County orders on August 15, 2021 and the Harris County order on August 26, 2021 (Exs. TX-044 to TX-046); no stay or injunction against the Austin, Travis County or Hays County orders is in either library, the Health Authority's school rules ran by their terms to December 10, 2021, and Travis County Order 2021-09a remained in force until the County Judge terminated it on March 22, 2022 (Ex. -056). the GA-38 conflict is stated as the State's position, not as an adjudicated invalidity.

Third quarter of 2021

July 1 through September 30, 2021, the last claimable quarter: the instruments the record shows in force in Austin. An order in force on any day of the quarter is an order in force during it. The quarter nationally →

In force (16)

  • MET-AUS-022 Austin Order 20210730-031 (July 30, 2021): notices to vacate prohibited August 1-31 and September 1-October 15, 2021 for residential tenants at $2,475 or less and commercial tenants; fine to $1,000
  • MET-AUS-059 Travis County Judge Order 2021-07 (July 30, 2021): notices to vacate prohibited August 1-31 and September 1-October 15, 2021; removal or exclusion of tenants prohibited August 1-October 15, 2021
  • MET-AUS-021 Austin Order 20210527-030 § 3 and MET-AUS-058/-066 Travis Orders 2021-04 and 2021-06 (July 1-August 1, 2021)
  • MET-AUS-023 Austin Order 20210811-032 (August 12, 2021) and MET-AUS-025 Order 20210813-034 (August 13, 2021): face coverings required of students, staff and visitors over two in public schools, charter schools and public colleges during Stages 3-5
  • MET-AUS-024 Austin Order 20210811-033 (August 12, 2021): face coverings required of every individual over two on City property; misdemeanor fine to $1,000
  • MET-AUS-030, -031, -032 Austin-Travis County Health Authority Rules of August 11, 17 and 21, 2021 (public schools, charter schools, public colleges; face coverings during Stages 3-5; effective through December 10, 2021)
  • MET-AUS-050, -051 Travis County Judge Orders 2021-08 (August 12, 2021) and 2021-08a (August 13, 2021): face coverings in all public schools, charter schools and public colleges in Travis County
  • MET-AUS-052 Travis County Judge Order 2021-09 (August 12, 2021), amended as 2021-09a (August 13) and by MET-AUS-055 Commissioners Court Amended Order (August 24, 2021): face coverings required of employees and customers in designated County facilities; fine to $1,000; in force until March 22, 2022 (MET-AUS-056)
  • MET-AUS-053, -054 Travis County Commissioners Court Resolutions and Orders of August 17 and 24, 2021: Health Authority school rules adopted as minimum standards; non-complying school a public health nuisance subject to abatement by civil suit
  • MET-AUS-075 Hays County Judge Order (August 13, effective August 15, 2021): face coverings in all public and charter schools K-12 in Hays County; local disaster declaration reinstated
  • MET-AUS-089 Austin ISD mask requirement (announced August 9, effective August 11, 2021) (verified_secondary)
  • MET-AUS-062 Travis County Civil and Family Courts Fourth Amended Emergency Order (from March 1, 2021): all hearings and trials remote (successor not in library; the Supreme Court's Fortieth Emergency Order, Ex. TX-040, required local court protocols to be readopted after September 1, 2021)
  • MET-AUS-049 Travis County Judge Order 2021-05 (May 21, 2021): County facilities follow Health Authority guidance (guidance layer; superseded for facilities by Order 2021-09 on August 12, 2021)
  • MET-AUS-087 CapMetro face-mask requirement under the CDC conveyance order, 86 Fed. Reg. 8025 (federal instrument in the FED file)
  • Local disaster declarations of Austin (March 6, 2020; recited in every 2021 order) and Travis County (MET-AUS-035; continued by the Commissioners Court), and the Justices of the Peace Twelfth Modification of Standing Order (July 29, 2021; recited in MET-AUS-059; not in library)
  • Austin Public Health COVID-19 Risk-Based Guidelines, Stage 5 from August 5, 2021 (Exhibit A to MET-AUS-023, -025, -030): GUIDANCE ONLY, but the trigger for the mandatory school-mask rules ('during Stages 3, 4, and 5')

Sector chronology

How the orders reached each kind of business in Austin, sector by sector, in the order the record gives. Open a sector to read its chronology; every exhibit named opens its record.

Restaurants and bars

Austin (Mar. 17) and Travis (Mar. 20-21, 2020): common dining areas and bar premises ordered closed until May 1 (Exs. -001, -002, -037, -038); stay-home orders Mar. 24-May 8 (restaurants as Essential Businesses for takeout and delivery only); reopened under GA-18/GA-21/GA-23 at 25 and 50 percent with local orders adding dine-in service logs and face-covering behaviors (Exs. -005, -006); mandatory business face-covering policies from June 17-18, 2020 (Exs. -008, -042, -073) through Apr. 21, 2021 (Ex. -017); Health Authority site rules: groups of 10 or less, six feet (then three feet) between tables, dine-in only to seated individuals (Exs. -026, -028, -048, -019) to May 21, 2021; Stage 5 recommendations Dec. 23, 2020-Jan. 11, 2021: close indoor dining, outdoor 50 percent, no dine-in 10:30 p.m.-6 a.m. (Exs. -014, -046); Q3 2021: no local restaurant order; commercial-tenant eviction protections (Exs. -022, -059).

Retail

Queue controls from Mar. 21, 2020 (Ex. -002); non-essential retail closed Mar. 24-Apr. 24/May 1 under the stay-home orders (Exs. -003, -039); reopened under GA-16/GA-18 with local face-covering behaviors; business face-covering policy mandates June 17, 2020-Apr. 21, 2021 (Exs. -008, -010, -013, -017, -042); Health Authority site rules to May 21, 2021; Stage 5 recommendation of 50 percent occupancy and curbside after 10:30 p.m. (Exs. -014, -046); Q3 2021: none.

Personal care

Closed as non-essential Mar. 24-May 8, 2020 (Exs. -003, -039, -072); reopened under GA-21 (May 8) with local face-covering behaviors and the Health Authority's exception for services requiring temporary removal of the covering (Exs. -026, -048); business policy mandates and site rules to Apr. 21/May 21, 2021; Q3 2021: none.

Fitness and entertainment

Gatherings of 10 or more prohibited Mar. 17-21, 2020 (Exs. -001, -002, -037); closed as non-essential Mar. 24-May 8; Travis 2020-13 (June 26-July 10, 2020): outdoor gatherings over 100 prohibited, sporting events, pools, water parks, museums, zoos, rodeos, amusement parks at 50 percent (Ex. -043); Hays outdoor gatherings of 100 or more prohibited in unincorporated areas (Ex. -085); groups over 10 barred to Feb. 16, 2021 (Exs. -007, -010, -013, -044); Health Authority rule: face covering outdoors where more than 2,500 present (Ex. -019); Q3 2021: none.

Hotels and short-term rentals

Stage 5 orders treated hotels, motels and shared rentals as 'residence' for the 10:30 p.m.-5:00 a.m. stay-home urging (Exs. -014, -046); no local lodging ban in the exhibits; group-event demand governed by the gathering caps above.

Offices and telework

Travis County directed telework for County employees Mar. 16, 2020 (Ex. -063); stay-home orders required non-essential businesses to cease all activities at facilities except Minimum Basic Operations, 'businesses may also continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own residences' (Exs. -003, -039, -072); Austin Orders 20200702-017, 20201215-021 and 20210216-026 § 5 applied the mandatory face-covering policy to 'office common areas, and individual office spaces' and to premises 'Accessible Only to Employees' (Exs. -010, -013, -017); Health Authority site rules required daily worker pre-screening and handwashing (Ex. -026); Q3 2021: none.

Manufacturing

Essential to the extent within CISA critical infrastructure; otherwise required to cease facility activities Mar. 24-May 1/8, 2020 (Exs. -003, -039, -072); Critical Infrastructure ordered to continue operating under written obligations (Exs. -002, -038); business face-covering policy mandates reached employee-only premises June 2020-Apr. 2021 (Exs. -010, -013, -017); Q3 2021: none.

Construction

Treated as Essential Business under the stay-home orders subject to the Health Authority's construction requirements (staggered shifts for sites with more than 10 active workers; distancing; face coverings) attached to Exs. -005, -006, -007, -010, -013; Williamson County permitted golf-course maintenance under conditions (Ex. -081); Q3 2021: none.

Real estate

Notices to vacate and evictions prohibited or conditioned continuously from Apr. 10, 2020 to Oct. 15, 2021 (Travis Orders 2020-6, 2020-9, 2020-22, 2021-03, 2021-04, 2021-06, 2021-07; Austin Orders 20200326-008 through 20210730-031) (Exs. -057, -064, -045, -067, -058, -066, -059, -012, -016, -021, -022); Justices of the Peace standing orders abated non-payment cases (recited); City development deadlines extended (Exs. -010, -013, -017).

Hospitals and long-term care

Health Authority control order on long-term care facilities and nursing homes: signage, sanitizer, screening before entry, critical-assistance visitors only, reporting (Ex. -033); Hays 3rd Order barred non-essential visitors to elder-care facilities (Ex. -072); Austin and Travis orders required non-residents in nursing homes to wear face coverings and continued the visitor prohibition 'as determined through the guidance from' HHSC (Exs. -007, -040); daily test-result reporting to the Health Authority (Ex. -010); Q3 2021: none locally.

Dental and elective health care

Health Authority control order Mar. 13, 2020 on all healthcare facilities: symptom screening of every employee, patient, visitor and volunteer before entry, screening and isolation plans (Ex. -034); electives governed by GA-09 and GA-19 (TX file); Austin orders required hospitals, pharmacies and clinics to report test results daily, then twice weekly (Exs. -005, -010, -013, -017); Q3 2021: none locally (OSHA Healthcare ETS federal).

Schools

Statewide closure Mar. 20, 2020 (GA-08); Health Authority order July 14, 2020: no on-campus instruction until after Sept. 7, 2020, no extracurriculars (Ex. -027); Health Authority rules Aug. 14, 2020 and later included school sections (Exs. -028, -048); Stage 5 recommendation to eliminate extracurriculars (Exs. -014, -046); Aug. 11-21, 2021: mandatory face coverings in public schools, charter schools and public colleges (Austin Orders 032/034, Health Authority rules to Dec. 10, 2021, Travis Orders 2021-08/08a, Commissioners Court orders, Hays order, Austin ISD) (Exs. -023, -025, -030 to -032, -050, -051, -053, -054, -075, -089).

Child care

Child-care programs excluded from the Health Authority's general site rules but subject to 'City of Austin Guidance for Open Child Care Programs' (Exs. -026, -019); child-care services carved out from occupancy limits (Exs. -043, -044); no local child-care closure order in the exhibits.

Worship and gatherings

Community Gatherings of 10 or more (weddings, religious services, funerals, conferences) prohibited from Mar. 17 (Austin) and Mar. 20 (Travis) 2020; all gatherings outside a household prohibited Mar. 24-May 8, 2020; socializing in groups over 10 prohibited June 15, 2020-Feb. 16, 2021 except as permitted by the Governor's orders (religious services carved out from occupancy limits under GA-26/GA-32 as recited in Exs. -043, -044); outdoor gatherings over 100 barred June 26-July 10, 2020 (Ex. -043); Q3 2021: none.

Courts and public offices

Travis criminal courts: no jury trials or out-of-jail settings to May 8, 2020 (Ex. -060); Travis civil and family courts: in-person hearings suspended to June 29, 2020, jury trials to Aug. 17, 2020, then all hearings and trials remote from Mar. 1, 2021 (Exs. -061, -062); Williamson family courts: jury trials continued through June 30, 2020, no in-person courthouse visits without prior communication, Teams and CourtCall hearings (Exs. -083, -084); Hays judiciary operating plan (Ex. -086); Travis County facilities: face coverings required June 16, 2020 (recited) and Aug. 12, 2021-Mar. 22, 2022 (Exs. -052, -055, -056); City facilities: face coverings required throughout (Exs. -005 to -017) and from Aug. 12, 2021 (Ex. -024); local deadlines suspended (Exs. -001, -002, -037, -039, -040, -041).

Travel and quarantine

All travel prohibited except Essential Travel Mar. 24-May 8, 2020 (Exs. -003, -039, -072); Hays household isolation where a member tested positive (Ex. -072); Health Authority rules imposed isolation and quarantine requirements on individuals and households (Exs. -026, -048, -019 § 2.3); CapMetro: fares suspended Apr. 1, 2020, rear-door boarding, face coverings required (Ex. -088), CDC order from Feb. 2021 (Ex. -087).

Face coverings

Recommended Apr. 6, 2020 (Ex. -065); required of all persons over 10 leaving the residence from Apr. 13, 2020 (Exs. -004, -040), continued as an order with no penalty May 8-July 2, 2020 (Exs. -005, -006, -007, -041); business policy mandates June 17, 2020-Apr. 21, 2021 (Exs. -008, -010, -013, -017, -042, -073); Health Authority rules July 14, 2020-May 21, 2021 (Exs. -026, -028, -029, -048, -019, -020); Commissioners Court enforcement Mar. 9-May 21, 2021 (Exs. -047, -049); Aug. 11-24, 2021 school, college and facility mandates (Exs. -023 to -025, -030 to -032, -050 to -055, -075, -089); San Marcos advisory July 7, 2020 (Ex. -090).

Vaccination mandates

None issued locally; the Health Authority's 2021 rules distinguished fully vaccinated individuals for quarantine and encouraged sites to incentivize vaccination (Exs. -019, -048, -053 § 6); GA-35, GA-38, GA-39 and SB 968 barred governmental mandates and vaccination-proof conditions (TX file).

On the calendar

Every dated instrument in the Austin file across the nineteen months from March 2020 through September 2021, in the order it took effect. A bar takes the color of the instrument's first limitation type and runs from its effective month through its end month; a fading edge marks an instrument whose end the record does not date. Point at a bar for its dates; open the bar for the record.

Emergency declaration 10Stay-at-home 10Business closure 15Telework mandate 4Capacity limit 10Gathering cap 30Face-covering requirement 41Travel and quarantine 7Schools and child care 18Health care orders 10Curfew and hours 3Alcohol and bars 5Events and venues 6Courts and public offices 22Workplace rules 25Quarantine and isolation 7Supply chain 3Other 17

All instruments

Every record in the Austin file, in the order it took effect. Filter by quarter and by limitation type; sort by any column; open the exhibit ID for the record and the operative words, or the file where The COVID Project holds it.

Showing 83 of 83 instrumentsThe Austin records in the Library →
ExhibitInstrumentIssuerLevelEffectiveEndQuartersLimitationsSourceFile
Ex. MET-AUS-035Travis County Declaration of Disaster Due to Public Health EmergencyDeclaration of local state of disaster based on public health emergency (SXSW and the Spring Festival period…Travis County Judge Sarah EckhardtCountyMar. 6, 2020Mar. 22, 20222020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Emergency declarationPrimary source readPDF 72 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-034Health Authority Order of Control Measures for Healthcare FacilitiesControl measures on all healthcare facilities in Travis County (signage, sanitizer, symptom screening of every…Austin-Travis County Health Authority (Mark E. Escott, MD, MPH, Medical Director and Interim Health Authority)CountyMar. 13, 2020June 30, 20202020 Q2Health care ordersWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 112 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-060Emergency Order for All Travis County Criminal CourtsEmergency Order resetting out-of-jail appearances and suspending jury summonses and jury trials until after…Travis County Criminal Courts (Judge Brenda P. Kennedy, Presiding Judge)CourtMar. 14, 2020May 8, 20202020 Q2Courts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 300 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-077Order Declaring a Local State of Disaster for Williamson County, TexasDeclaration of a local state of disaster for Williamson CountyWilliamson County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.CountyMar. 14, 2020Sept. 30, 20212020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Emergency declarationPrimary source readPDF 933 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-036County Judge Order 2020-1 (per file name; DocuSign envelope 37538C6F)Order prohibiting Community Gatherings of 250 persons or moreTravis County Judge Sarah EckhardtCountyMar. 15, 2020Mar. 20, 20202020 Q2Gathering capEvents and venuesPrimary source readPDF 391 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-069Hays County Local Disaster DeclarationDeclaration of a local state of disaster for Hays CountyHays County Judge Ruben BecerraCountyMar. 15, 2020Sept. 30, 20212020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Emergency declarationPrimary source readPDF 80 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-063Travis County Judge memorandum to Travis County employees on temporary teleworking arrangements (March 16, 2020)Directive implementing temporary teleworking for County employees whose duties are conducive to working from…Travis County Judge Sarah EckhardtCountyMar. 16, 2020June 30, 20202020 Q2Telework mandatePrimary source readPDF 83 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-001Order by the Mayor of the City of Austin (unnumbered; received by the Office of the City Clerk March 17, 2020, 8:27 a.m.)Order prohibiting Community Gatherings of 10 or more persons; closing common dining areas and bar premisesMayor Steve AdlerCityMar. 17, 2020Mar. 21, 20202020 Q2Business closureGathering capAlcohol and barsEvents and venuesCourts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 181 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-070Order by Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra (1st COVID-19 order; March 17, 2020)Order prohibiting Community Gatherings of ten or more persons anywhere within Hays CountyHays County Judge Ruben BecerraCountyMar. 18, 2020Mar. 19, 20202020 Q2Gathering capEvents and venuesPrimary source readPDF 273 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-0712nd Order Related to COVID-19 by Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra (March 19, 2020)2nd Order Related to COVID-19 (content not readable)Hays County Judge Ruben BecerraCountyMar. 19, 2020Mar. 26, 20202020 Q2Business closureGathering capConfirmed from a secondary sourcePDF 1.0 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-037County Judge Order of March 20, 2020 (Order 2020-3 per file name; County Clerk recording no. 202080456)Order prohibiting social gatherings of more than 10 people; closing common dining areas and bars; suspending…Travis County Judge Sarah EckhardtCountyMar. 20, 2020Mar. 21, 20202020 Q2Business closureGathering capAlcohol and barsCourts and public officesSupply chainPrimary source readPDF 255 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-091County Judge Order of March 20, 2020 (duplicate scan of Ex. MET-AUS-037; County Clerk recording no. 202080456)Order prohibiting social gatherings of more than 10 people; closing common dining areas and bars (duplicate of…Travis County Judge Sarah EckhardtCountyMar. 20, 2020Mar. 21, 20202020 Q2Business closureGathering capAlcohol and barsCourts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 250 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-002Order No. 20200321-006Order prohibiting Social Gatherings of more than 10 people; retail distancing controls; Critical…Mayor Steve AdlerCityMar. 21, 2020Mar. 24, 20202020 Q2Business closureGathering capAlcohol and barsCourts and public officesWorkplace rulesSupply chainPrimary source readPDF 2.3 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-038County Judge Order No. 2020-04: Related to Declaration regarding COVID-19 Response and PreparednessOrder prohibiting social gatherings of more than 10; Critical Infrastructure obligations (Exhibit B); closure…Travis County Judge Sarah EckhardtCountyMar. 21, 2020Mar. 24, 20202020 Q2Business closureGathering capAlcohol and barsCourts and public officesWorkplace rulesSupply chainPrimary source readPDF 826 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-003Stay Home - Work Safe Order No. 20200324-007Stay Home - Work Safe Order (shelter in place; non-essential business must cease; gatherings and travel…Mayor Steve AdlerCityMar. 24, 2020Apr. 13, 20202020 Q2Stay-at-homeBusiness closureTelework mandateGathering capTravel and quarantineWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 4.5 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-039County Judge Order No. 2020-5: Relating to the Declaration regarding COVID-19 (Stay Home - Work Safe)Stay Home - Work Safe Order (shelter in place; non-essential business must cease; gatherings and travel…Travis County Judge Sarah EckhardtCountyMar. 24, 2020Apr. 13, 20202020 Q2Stay-at-homeBusiness closureTelework mandateGathering capTravel and quarantineCourts and public officesWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 533 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-0723rd Order Related to COVID-19 by Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra: 'Stay at Home, Work Safe'Stay at Home, Work Safe Order (stay home; non-essential businesses cease; travel prohibited; household…Hays County Judge Ruben BecerraCountyMar. 26, 2020Apr. 10, 20202020 Q2Stay-at-homeBusiness closureTelework mandateGathering capTravel and quarantineHealth care ordersCurfew and hoursQuarantine and isolationPrimary source readPDF 220 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-083General Order Regarding Setting Hearings in a Virtual Courtroom Environment Under the 2020 State of Disaster COVID-19 and Related CoronavirusGeneral Order requiring hearings to be held by virtual courtroom technologies (CourtCall or Microsoft Teams)Hon. Betsy F. Lambeth, 425th District CourtCourtMar. 30, 2020June 30, 20202020 Q2Courts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 239 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-084General Order: Court Operations in Williamson County Family Courts Under the 2020 State of Disaster COVID-19 and Related Coronavirus (filed March 31, 2020)General Order continuing all family-court jury trials through June 30, 2020, barring in-person courthouse…Judges of the 368th, 395th and 425th District Courts and County Courts at Law One, Three and Four of Williamson CountyCourtMar. 31, 2020June 30, 20202020 Q2Courts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 329 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-088CapMetro press release: 'CapMetro Fare-Free Service to Continue Through May'Release confirming fare suspension from April 1, 2020 through May 2020, rear-door boarding, essential trips…Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro)Sector regulatorApr. 1, 2020May 31, 20202020 Q2Face-covering requirementTravel and quarantineOtherConfirmed from a secondary sourcePDF 175 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-065Notification to use Fabric Face Coverings in Public Settings - April 6, 2020 DirectivesNotification and directives recommending fabric face coverings in public settings for the public and for…Travis County (Office of the County Judge) with the Austin-Travis County Health Authority; issued under Stay Home Order 2020-5CountyApr. 6, 2020Apr. 13, 20202020 Q2Face-covering requirementWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 244 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-033Health Authority Order of Control Measures for Vulnerable Populations at Long-Term Care Facilities and/or Nursing Homes (facility-directed template)Control measures on long-term care facilities and nursing homes (signage, sanitizer, entry screening…Austin-Travis County Health Authority (Mark E. Escott, MD, MPH, Interim Health Authority)CountyApr. 7, 2020June 30, 20202020 Q2Health care ordersPrimary source readPDF 122 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-057County Judge Order No. 2020-6 Relating to Notices to Vacate, Eviction Proceedings in response to COVID-19Order prohibiting the issuance of notices to vacate and related landlord actions (through May 8, 2020)Travis County Judge Sarah EckhardtCountyApr. 10, 2020May 8, 20202020 Q2Courts and public officesOtherPrimary source readPDF 223 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-004Stay Home - Work Safe Order No. 20200413-009Stay Home - Work Safe Order (extension to May 8, 2020; face coverings)Mayor Steve AdlerCityApr. 13, 2020May 8, 20202020 Q2Stay-at-homeBusiness closureGathering capFace-covering requirementTravel and quarantineConfirmed from a secondary sourcePDF 1.0 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-040County Judge Order No. 2020-7: Relating to the Declaration regarding COVID-19 (Stay Home - Work Safe)Stay Home - Work Safe Order (extension to May 8, 2020; face-covering requirements; all gatherings prohibited)Travis County Judge Sarah EckhardtCountyApr. 13, 2020May 8, 20202020 Q2Stay-at-homeBusiness closureGathering capFace-covering requirementTravel and quarantineHealth care ordersCourts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 914 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-005Stay Home - Work Safe Order No. 20200508-011Stay Home - Work Safe Order (Governor's reopening phase incorporated; distancing, hygiene and face-covering…Mayor Steve AdlerCityMay 8, 2020May 30, 20202020 Q2Stay-at-homeBusiness closureCapacity limitGathering capFace-covering requirementHealth care ordersWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 9.5 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-041County Judge Order 2020-8, Relating to the Declaration regarding COVID-19 (Stay Home Order Consistent with and Guidance Beyond Governor's Executive Orders)Stay Home Order Consistent with and Guidance Beyond Governor's Executive Orders (May 8 to June 15, 2020)Travis County Judge Sarah EckhardtCountyMay 8, 2020June 15, 20202020 Q2Stay-at-homeBusiness closureGathering capFace-covering requirementCourts and public officesWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 1.2 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-064County Judge Order No. 2020-9 Relating to Notices to Vacate, Eviction Proceedings in response to COVID-19Order prohibiting the issuance of notices to vacate and related landlord actions (through June 1, 2020)Travis County Judge Sarah EckhardtCountyMay 8, 2020June 1, 20202020 Q2Courts and public officesOtherPrimary source readPDF 877 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-006Stay Home - Work Safe Order No. 20200529-012Stay Home - Work Safe Order (GA-23 Covered Services incorporated; distancing, hygiene and face-covering…Mayor Steve AdlerCityMay 30, 2020June 15, 20202020 Q2Stay-at-homeBusiness closureCapacity limitGathering capFace-covering requirementHealth care ordersWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 12 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-086COVID-19 Operating Plan for the Hays County JudiciaryOperating plan for the Hays County courts (remote proceedings; no non-essential in-person proceedings before…Hays County judiciary (local administrative district judge and courts of Hays County)CourtJune 1, 2020Sept. 30, 20202020 Q22020 Q3Capacity limitFace-covering requirementCourts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 188 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-007Order No. 20200615-013Order requiring distancing, hygiene and face-covering behaviors; prohibiting socializing in groups of more…Mayor Steve AdlerCityJune 15, 2020July 3, 20202020 Q22020 Q3Capacity limitGathering capFace-covering requirementHealth care ordersWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 7.4 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-008Order No. 20200617-014 (Mandatory Health & Safety Policies for Business Employees and Patrons)Mandatory Health & Safety Policies for Business Employees and Patrons, supplemental to Order No. 20200615-013Mayor Steve AdlerCityJune 17, 2020July 3, 20202020 Q22020 Q3Face-covering requirementWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 562 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-042County Judge Order 2020-12: Mandatory Health & Safety Policies for Commercial Entities, Supplemental to Order No. 2020-11, COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines and OrderMandatory Health and Safety Policies for Commercial Entities (face coverings of employees and visitors)Travis County Judge Samuel T. BiscoeCountyJune 18, 2020Aug. 15, 20202020 Q22020 Q3Emergency declarationFace-covering requirementWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 535 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-0734th Order Related to COVID-19 by Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra4th Order: continuation of the local disaster; mandatory Health and Safety Policies for commercial entities…Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra (Emergency Management Director)CountyJune 22, 2020July 20, 20202020 Q22020 Q3Emergency declarationFace-covering requirementWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 164 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-009Order No. 20200626-016 (Stay Home, Mask, and Be Safe)Stay Home, Mask, and Be Safe Order of June 26, 2020Mayor Steve AdlerCityJune 26, 2020July 3, 20202020 Q22020 Q3Gathering capFace-covering requirementWorkplace rulesConfirmed from a secondary sourcePDF 5.0 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-043County Judge Order 2020-13: Relating to the Declaration regarding COVID-19 (Gatherings of Individuals Order)Gatherings of Individuals Order (outdoor gatherings over 100 prohibited; socializing in groups over 10…Travis County Judge Samuel T. BiscoeCountyJune 26, 2020July 10, 20202020 Q22020 Q3Emergency declarationCapacity limitGathering capEvents and venuesPrimary source readPDF 319 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-0851st Amendment to 4th Order Related to COVID-19 by Hays County Judge Ruben BecerraAmendment continuing the 4th Order through July 20, 2020 and prohibiting outdoor gatherings of 100 or more in…Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra (Emergency Management Director)CountyJune 26, 2020July 20, 20202020 Q22020 Q3Gathering capFace-covering requirementEvents and venuesWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 50 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-061Third Amended Emergency Order Regarding COVID-19 (filed June 15, 2020; effective June 29, 2020)Third Amended Emergency Order (in-person hearings suspended to June 29, 2020; jury trials to at least August…Travis County Civil and Family Courts (District Judges and County Court at Law Judges)CourtJune 29, 2020Mar. 1, 20212020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q1Courts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 820 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-010Stay Home, Mask, and Otherwise Be Safe Order No. 20200702-017Stay Home, Mask, and Otherwise Be Safe Order (individual face coverings; mandatory face-covering policies for…Mayor Steve AdlerCityJuly 3, 2020Aug. 15, 20202020 Q3Capacity limitGathering capFace-covering requirementHealth care ordersCourts and public officesWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 6.2 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-090Mayor's Third Public Health Advisory Related to COVID-19 (July 7, 2020)Mayor's Third Public Health Advisory: face coverings 'strongly recommended' for every person in San Marcos…Mayor Jane HughsonCityJuly 7, 2020Sept. 30, 20202020 Q3Face-covering requirementPrimary source readPDF 3.7 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-026Notice of Emergency Rules Adoption: Health Authority Rules of July 14, 2020Health Authority Emergency Rules (face coverings outside the residence; site rules: face coverings…Austin-Travis County Health Authority (Mark E. Escott, MD, MPH, Interim Medical Director and Health Authority), with City Manager and City Attorney certificationCityJuly 14, 2020Aug. 14, 20202020 Q3Gathering capFace-covering requirementWorkplace rulesQuarantine and isolationPrimary source readPDF 200 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-027Health Authority Order of Control Measures for In-Person School Campus InstructionOrder barring on-campus, face-to-face instruction and extracurricular activities in all public and private…Austin-Travis County Health Authority (Mark E. Escott, MD, MPH, Interim Health Authority)CountyJuly 14, 2020Sept. 7, 20202020 Q3Business closureSchools and child careEvents and venuesPrimary source readPDF 181 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-074Resolution continuing the County Judge's Declaration of Local Disaster (July 14, 2020)Resolution continuing the Hays County local state of disaster for not more than 62 daysHays County Commissioners Court (Judge Ruben Becerra presiding; attested by County Clerk Elaine Cardenas)CountyJuly 14, 2020Sept. 14, 20202020 Q3Emergency declarationPrimary source readPDF 143 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-028Notice of Emergency Rules Adoption: Health Authority Rules of August 14, 2020Health Authority Emergency Rules (supersede the July 14, 2020 rules; face coverings outside the residence…Austin-Travis County Health Authority (Dr. Mark Escott), with City Manager and City Attorney certificationCityAug. 14, 2020Nov. 12, 20202020 Q32020 Q4Gathering capFace-covering requirementSchools and child careWorkplace rulesQuarantine and isolationPrimary source readPDF 510 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-012Order No. 20200930-20 (Notices to Vacate)Order prohibiting landlords from issuing notices to vacate and taking related actions (supersedes Order No.…Mayor Steve AdlerCitySept. 30, 2020Dec. 31, 20202020 Q32020 Q4OtherPrimary source readPDF 2.6 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-029Notice of Rules: Health Authority Rules of December 15, 2020Health Authority Rules of December 15, 2020 (face coverings; site rules; continuing through April 15, 2021)Austin-Travis County Health Authority (Dr. Mark Escott)CityDec. 15, 2020Apr. 13, 20212020 Q42021 Q12021 Q2Gathering capFace-covering requirementSchools and child careWorkplace rulesQuarantine and isolationConfirmed from a secondary sourcePDF 449 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-013Stay Home, Mask, and Otherwise Be Safe Order No. 20201215-021Stay Home, Mask, and Otherwise Be Safe Order (gatherings over 10 prohibited; individual face coverings…Mayor Steve AdlerCityDec. 16, 2020Feb. 16, 20212020 Q42021 Q1Capacity limitGathering capFace-covering requirementHealth care ordersCourts and public officesWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 11 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-044County Judge Order 2020-21, Relating to the COVID-19 Community RestrictionsCOVID-19 Community Restrictions Order (gatherings over 10 prohibited; face coverings; business Health and…Travis County Judge Samuel T. Biscoe (signature page not read; Judge Biscoe held office until Judge Andy Brown's succession in November 2020 - Judge Brown signed the December 23 order)CountyDec. 16, 2020Feb. 16, 20212020 Q42021 Q1Emergency declarationCapacity limitGathering capFace-covering requirementWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 1.1 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-045County Judge Order No. 2020-22 Relating to Notices to Vacate, Eviction Proceedings in response to COVID-19Order prohibiting notices to vacate and related landlord actions (December 17, 2020 through February 1, 2021)Travis County Judge Andy BrownCountyDec. 17, 2020Feb. 1, 20212020 Q42021 Q1OtherPrimary source readPDF 6.8 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-014Order No. 20201223-023 (Stage 5)Stage 5 Order: stay-home urging 10:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.; recommended modified operations for restaurants…Mayor Steve AdlerCityDec. 23, 2020Jan. 11, 20212020 Q42021 Q1Stay-at-homeCapacity limitSchools and child careCurfew and hoursOtherPrimary source readPDF 6.8 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-046County Judge Order 2020-23: Relating to Stage 5 COVID-19 Community RestrictionsStage 5 COVID-19 Community Restrictions (stay-home urging 10:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.; recommended modified…Travis County Judge Andy BrownCountyDec. 23, 2020Jan. 11, 20212020 Q42021 Q1Stay-at-homeCapacity limitSchools and child careCurfew and hoursOtherPrimary source readPDF 12 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-016Order No. 20210128-025 (Notices to Vacate)Order prohibiting landlords from issuing notices to vacate and taking related actions (supersedes Order No.…Mayor Steve AdlerCityJan. 28, 2021Apr. 1, 20212021 Q1OtherPrimary source readPDF 1.4 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-087CapMetro press release: 'CapMetro Reminds Customers: Face Masks Are Required - New Federal Regulations Require Face Masks Nationwide on Public Transit'Release confirming that face masks are required of customers and employees on CapMetro services and at…Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro), a political subdivision transit authoritySector regulatorFeb. 2, 2021Sept. 30, 20212021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Face-covering requirementTravel and quarantineConfirmed from a secondary sourcePDF 174 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-076Resolution continuing the County Judge's Declaration of Local Disaster (effective February 16, 2021)Resolution continuing the Hays County local state of disaster for not more than 70 daysHays County Commissioners CourtCountyFeb. 16, 2021Apr. 27, 20212021 Q12021 Q2Emergency declarationPrimary source readPDF 226 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-017Stay Home, Mask, and Otherwise Be Safe Order No. 20210216-026Stay Home, Mask, and Otherwise Be Safe Order (individual face coverings; mandatory face-covering policies for…Mayor Steve AdlerCityFeb. 17, 2021Apr. 21, 20212021 Q12021 Q2Gathering capFace-covering requirementHealth care ordersCourts and public officesWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 587 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-062Fourth Amended Emergency Order Regarding COVID-19 (effective March 1, 2021)Fourth Amended Emergency Order (all hearings and trials held remotely; remote jury trials; in-person…Travis County Civil and Family CourtsCourtMar. 1, 2021Sept. 1, 20212021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Courts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 371 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-047Resolution and Renewal of Order of the Travis County Commissioners Court Mandating Continued Compliance with Local Health Authority Orders and Adopting Criteria for Declaring a Public Health Nuisance, Authorizing Enforcement (March 9, 2021)Commissioners Court order adopting the Health Authority's Emergency Rules for unincorporated Travis County…Travis County Commissioners CourtCountyMar. 9, 2021Apr. 15, 20212021 Q12021 Q2Gathering capFace-covering requirementWorkplace rulesQuarantine and isolationPrimary source readPDF 400 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-067County Judge Order No. 2021-03 Relating to Notices to Vacate, Eviction Proceedings in response to COVID-19Order prohibiting notices to vacate and related landlord actions (March 30 through May 1, 2021)Travis County Judge Andy BrownCountyMar. 30, 2021May 1, 20212021 Q12021 Q2OtherPrimary source readPDF 711 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-048Notice of Rules: Health Authority Rules adopted April 13, 2021Health Authority Rules (face coverings outside the residence; fully-vaccinated exceptions; household…Austin-Travis County Health Authority (Dr. Mark E. Escott), with City Manager Spencer Cronk and City Attorney certificationCityApr. 13, 2021May 18, 20212021 Q2Gathering capFace-covering requirementSchools and child careWorkplace rulesQuarantine and isolationPrimary source readPDF 432 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-021Order No. 20210527-030 (Notices to Vacate)Order prohibiting and conditioning notices to vacate and evictions, May 1 through August 1, 2021 (supersedes…Mayor Steve AdlerCityMay 1, 2021Aug. 1, 20212021 Q22021 Q3OtherPrimary source readPDF 4.8 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-058County Judge Order No. 2021-04 Relating to Notices to Vacate, Eviction Proceedings in response to COVID-19Order prohibiting and conditioning notices to vacate and evictions (May 1 through August 1, 2021)Travis County Judge Andy BrownCountyMay 1, 2021Aug. 1, 20212021 Q22021 Q3OtherPrimary source readPDF 13 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-019Notice of Rules: Health Authority Rules adopted May 18, 2021Health Authority Rules (face coverings indoors at every site and outdoors where more than 2,500 present; site…Austin-Travis County Health Authority (Dr. Mark E. Escott, Interim Medical Director and Health Authority), with City Manager Spencer Cronk and City Attorney certificationCityMay 18, 2021May 21, 20212021 Q2Gathering capFace-covering requirementSchools and child careWorkplace rulesQuarantine and isolationPrimary source readPDF 558 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-020Notice of Withdrawal and Transition to GuidanceNotice of Withdrawal of the Health Authority Rules adopted May 18, 2021 and Transition to GuidanceAustin-Travis County Health Authority (Dr. Mark E. Escott), City Manager Spencer Cronk, City Attorney Anne L. MorganCityMay 21, 2021June 30, 20212021 Q2OtherPrimary source readPDF 228 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-049County Judge Order 2021-05; Relating to COVID-19Order directing Travis County and County facilities to follow the Health Authority's recommendations and…Travis County Judge Andy BrownCountyMay 21, 2021Aug. 12, 20212021 Q22021 Q3Face-covering requirementOtherPrimary source readPDF 76 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-066County Judge Order No. 2021-06 Relating to Notices to Vacate, Eviction Proceedings in response to COVID-19 and Clarifying County Judge Order No. 2021-04Order clarifying Order 2021-04 (definition of when a landlord has exhausted all Rental Assistance Remedies)…Travis County Judge Andy BrownCountyMay 27, 2021Aug. 1, 20212021 Q22021 Q3OtherPrimary source readPDF 1.5 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-022Order No. 20210730-031 (Notices to Vacate)Order prohibiting and conditioning notices to vacate and evictions, August 1 through October 15, 2021…Mayor Steve AdlerCityAug. 1, 2021Oct. 15, 20212021 Q3OtherPrimary source readPDF 3.3 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-059County Judge Order No. 2021-07 Relating to Notices to Vacate, Eviction Proceedings in response to COVID-19Order prohibiting and conditioning notices to vacate and evictions (August 1 through October 15, 2021)Travis County Judge Andy BrownCountyAug. 1, 2021Oct. 15, 20212021 Q3OtherPrimary source readPDF 1.1 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-030Notice of Rules: Health Authority Rules adopted August 11, 2021Health Authority Rules (face coverings required of students, staff and visitors over two in public schools…Austin-Travis County Health Authority (Dr. Desmar Walkes, Health Authority), with City Manager and City Attorney certificationCityAug. 11, 2021Aug. 17, 20212021 Q3Face-covering requirementSchools and child carePrimary source readPDF 2.0 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-089Austin ISD announcement 'Masks Mandated at Austin ISD' (August 9, 2021)Austin ISD requirement that students, staff and visitors wear face masks on school properties from August 11…Austin ISD Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde (announced at the Board of Trustees meeting of August 9, 2021; Board President Geronimo Rodriguez quoted)CityAug. 11, 2021Sept. 30, 20212021 Q3Face-covering requirementSchools and child careConfirmed from a secondary sourcePDF 559 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-023Mask to be Safe at School Order No. 20210811-032Mask to be Safe at School (face coverings required in public schools during Stages 3, 4 and 5)Mayor Steve AdlerCityAug. 12, 2021Aug. 13, 20212021 Q3Face-covering requirementSchools and child carePrimary source readPDF 2.1 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-024Mask to be Safe at City Facilities Order No. 20210811-033Mask to be Safe at City Facilities (face coverings required on or in City property)Mayor Steve AdlerCityAug. 12, 2021Sept. 30, 20212021 Q3Face-covering requirementCourts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 1.7 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-050County Judge Order 2021-08; Relating to the COVID-19 and Mask to be Safe at SchoolMask to be Safe at School (face coverings required in all public schools including public charter schools in…Travis County Judge Andy BrownCountyAug. 12, 2021Aug. 13, 20212021 Q3Face-covering requirementSchools and child carePrimary source readPDF 507 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-052County Judge Order 2021-09; Relating to COVID-19 and Requirement to Wear Face Coverings in Travis County FacilitiesFace coverings required of employees, visitors and customers in designated Travis County facilitiesTravis County Judge Andy BrownCountyAug. 12, 2021Aug. 13, 20212021 Q3Face-covering requirementCourts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 819 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-025Mask to be Safe at School Order No. 20210813-034Mask to be Safe at School (face coverings required in public schools, public charter schools and public…Mayor Steve AdlerCityAug. 13, 2021Sept. 30, 20212021 Q3Face-covering requirementSchools and child carePrimary source readPDF 2.0 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-051County Judge Amended Order 2021-08a; Relating to the COVID-19 and Mask to be Safe at SchoolAmended Mask to be Safe at School Order (adds public colleges; replaces Order 2021-08)Travis County Judge Andy BrownCountyAug. 13, 2021Sept. 30, 20212021 Q3Face-covering requirementSchools and child carePrimary source readPDF 322 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-075County Judge Order Relating to the COVID-19 and Mask to be Safe at School (Hays County)Mask to be Safe at School (face coverings required in all public and charter schools K-12 in Hays County…Hays County Judge Ruben BecerraCountyAug. 15, 2021Sept. 30, 20212021 Q3Emergency declarationFace-covering requirementSchools and child carePrimary source readPDF 790 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-031Notice of Rules: Health Authority Rules adopted August 17, 2021 (amending the rule of August 11, 2021)Health Authority Rules (face coverings in public schools, public charter schools and public colleges during…Austin-Travis County Health Authority (Dr. Desmar Walkes)CityAug. 17, 2021Aug. 21, 20212021 Q3Face-covering requirementSchools and child carePrimary source readPDF 1.1 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-053Resolution and Order of the Travis County Commissioners Court Mandating Compliance with Local Health Authority Orders and Adopting Criteria for Declaring a Public Health Nuisance (August 17, 2021)Commissioners Court order adopting the Health Authority's Emergency Rules and Orders for public schools…Travis County Commissioners CourtCountyAug. 17, 2021Aug. 24, 20212021 Q3Face-covering requirementSchools and child carePrimary source readPDF 984 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-032Notice of Rules: Health Authority Rules effective August 21, 2021 (amending the rule of August 17, 2021)Health Authority Rules (face coverings in public schools, public charter schools and public colleges during…Austin-Travis County Health Authority (Dr. Desmar Walkes)CityAug. 21, 2021Dec. 10, 20212021 Q3Face-covering requirementSchools and child carePrimary source readPDF 1.9 MB
Ex. MET-AUS-054Resolution and Order of the Travis County Commissioners Court Mandating Continued Compliance with Local Health Authority Orders and Adopting Criteria for Declaring a Public Health Nuisance (August 24, 2021)Commissioners Court order adopting the Health Authority's Emergency Rules and Orders for schools and colleges…Travis County Commissioners CourtCountyAug. 24, 2021Dec. 10, 20212021 Q3Face-covering requirementSchools and child carePrimary source readPDF 252 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-055Amended Order of the Travis County Commissioners Court Adopting New Policies, Procedures and Requirements Concerning the Wearing of Face Coverings in Designated Travis County Facilities (August 24, 2021)Face coverings required of County employees and members of the public entering or inside designated Travis…Travis County Commissioners CourtCountyAug. 24, 2021Mar. 22, 20222021 Q3Face-covering requirementCourts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 351 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-056County Judge Order 2022-02 Terminating Amended Order 2021-09a; Relating to COVID-19 and Requirement to Wear Face Coverings in Designated Travis County FacilitiesOrder terminating County Judge Order 2021-09a (face coverings in designated County facilities) effective March…Travis County Judge Andy BrownCountyMar. 22, 2022—OtherPrimary source readPDF 86 KB
Ex. MET-AUS-081Order of County Judge of Williamson County, Texas for Golf Courses During Stay Home Stay Safe OrderOrder conditioning the operation of golf courses during the Stay Home Stay Safe Order (pro shops closed to…Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.County—Mar. 24, 20202020 Q2Stay-at-homeBusiness closureWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 1.5 MB

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The State

The local orders of Austin ran inside the statewide regime. The State file holds the governor's orders, the health department's rules and the courts' emergency orders that reached the same businesses. All fifty States and the District →

TexasTX · 69 instruments · 22 in force in 2021 Q3General restrictions ended Mar. 10, 2021.