Coronavirus: Austin Clarifies Rules After Governor's Orders

AUSTIN, TX — Given recent gubernatorial orders dictating freedom of movement amid the coronavirus pandemic — some of which, including church attendance, conflict with previously issued municipal ones — Austin city issued a local clarification guide for residents.

On March 31, an Executive Order released by Governor Greg Abbott’s office included differences to essential services and activities from the city’s Stay Home-Work Safe orders. As a result, the city issued updated guidance consistent with the governor's superseding guidelines that recognizes all construction activity and religious gatherings as "essential," as recently decreed by Gov. Greg Abbott.

"The governor’s order trumps the city and allows construction to proceed," Austin Mayor Steve Adler said in a prepared statement. "We’ll continue to enforce the non-conflicting parts of the city order to mitigate the risk for workers, their families, and the city at-large."

Abbott's order ostensibly is designed to jump-start construction activity in a time of stalled commerce. Businesses deemed "non-essential" are temporarily closed in adherence to health officials' guidance limiting gatherings in order to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus that causes a respiratory ailment via transmission of respirator droplets.

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"Due to the governor’s order, the city cannot stop residential or commercial construction," Adler said. But he explained the city would continue monitoring construction sites to make sure physical distancing provisions were being practiced: "The safety requirements and requests in the city’s current Stay Home Order and written guidance remain in place. Enforcement will focus on educating workers and owners/managers and enforcing those safety requirements. Construction projects no longer require committee review to determine eligibility for project continuation. The city’s worker protection requirements remain in place. Austin Code inspectors will continue to monitor construction sites to ensure that social distancing and recommended hygiene practices are being observed."

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Similar safeguards should be taken during worship services now deemed as "essential" gatherings by the governor — even as most other functions are halted by temporary closures in adherence to physical distancing provisions.

"Additionally, persons may gather for religious services conducted in churches, congregations, or other houses of worship if they cannot be conducted from home or through remote services," Adler explained. "However, all persons must observe the social distancing requirements described in City’s Stay Home-Work Safe Order."

The state-issued executive order is in effect through April 30, and is subject to extension based on the status of COVID-19 in Texas and the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the mayor reminded.

"At this point in this epidemic, it's on each of us to make the right decisions to save lives," the mayor added.

The city's clarified orders come amid growing confusion on what's allowed in the way of freedom of movement amid the pandemic and ever-changing gubernatorial mandates. In deeming worship servies and construction as "essential services" — more than tacitly endorsing gatherings for such activities — Abbott contradicts his own "stay at home" executive order implemented on April 1.

"With COVID-19 spreading across Texas I issued this Executive Order that requires all Texans to stay at home except to provide essential services or do essential things like go to the grocery store," he said at the time of his "stay at home" mandate. "Now I know this is a great sacrifice, and we must respond to this challenge with strength and with resolve. By following social distancing practices, we will slow the spread of COVID-19. We will save lives. And we will make it through this challenge together. Thank you, and God bless you all."

Austin Public Health officials continues to stress the importance of practicing good personal hygiene while maintaining physical distancing during essential activities to help blunt the spread of the virus. Proper hygiene practices include:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue to cover it, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

For more information and updates, visit www.austintexas.gov/COVID19.

To buttress the important message on social distancing, Adler joined Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt and Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey in a newly released public service announcement extolling the virtues of adherence. Born in Uvalde, Texas, McConaughey is a fixture in Austin — particularly at sporting events at UT-Austin, his alma mater.