Coronavirus: WilCo Ramps Up County Reopening Plan

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Officials are preparing to ramp up in-person access to county offices by June 1, according to a municipal advisory issued on Wednesday.

County officials outlined the reopening plan while noting it follows procedures designed to ensure the safety of residents and county employees alike. To that end, the plan complies with guidance related to the coronavirus issued by the governor of the State of Texas while being guided by physical distancing and other safety measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help blunt the spread of a respiratory illness for which there is no vaccine.

Among the opening plan's dynamics are:

• Ahead of the county offices opening, officials said signs will be affixed to buildings urging the use of fabric face coverings as a recommendation rather than making the practice mandatory, officials said in an emailed advisory. In an earlier executive order, Gov. Greg Abbot waived the previous mandate to wear masks on a statewide basis while warning city officials not to issue fines for those choosing not to don the facial coverings.
• Officials noted the Williamson County District Courts, County Courts at Law and Justice of the Peace courts are in the process of developing an Operating Plan as directed by the Texas Supreme Court. Pursuant to the direction of the Texas Supreme Court there will be no in-person hearings other than essential hearings that cannot be conducted remotely because doing so is not possible or practicable until the Operating Plan is approved by the Third Administrative Regional Judge and forwarded to the Office of Court Administration, officials wrote in an advisory. The public will be apprised once the plan is approved, officials added.
• The Williamson County historic courthouse will remain closed to the public until further notice, except when a Williamson County Commissioners Court meeting is taking place. When those meetings are staged, the courthouse will be open one-hour prior to the posted start time to one hour after the posted start time, officials said. Typically, officials added, this will be from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Temperature checks may be required by elected officials for members of the public entering the Williamson County Justice Center, facilities where essential employees are working, and visiting the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter.

For a detailed list of all County offices and their operations please visit the County’s website www.wilco.org.