AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- In its latest effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, both the City of Austin and Travis County will prohibit community gatherings of 250 or more people for the next few weeks.
Officials say the ban will go into effect at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 15, and will continue until "at least" May 1.
According to a city release, the orders define community gatherings as any indoor or outdoor event that is likely to bring together 250 or more people at the same time in a single room or other confined or enclosed space, such as an auditorium, theater, stadium arena or event center, meeting hall, conference center, large cafeteria, restaurant, nightclub/bar, or any other confined indoor or confined outdoor space.
Examples of events potentially included in the ban, according to the city, include weddings, religious gatherings, parties, funerals, sporting events, social events, conferences, and other large gatherings of 250 or more people.
City officials say the prohibitions don't generally include office space or residential buildings, transit including airports, bus stations or terminals, grocery stores, shopping malls, or hospitals and medical offices and facilities. While large numbers of people may be present, it is considered unusual for people to be within arm’s length of one another for extended periods of time.
"Collectively and individually, our decisions will determine how our health infrastructure can handle this virus," said Austin Mayor Steve Adler. "This community must do all we can to minimize person-to-person passage. This new order and the voluntary choices being made all over our city are positioning Austin for the best possible outcome. We’re a city that sticks together and rises to the occasion and we’ll do it this time, too."
"With confirmed cases in Travis County, we must all do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19," said Sarah Eckhardt, Travis County Judge. "This new order allows us to slow the spread and protect the health and safety of our community."
Alongside the new ban on gatherings of 250 or more people, health officials are recommending the community cancel, postpone, or not attend events or community gatherings with more than 125 people.
Officials say the new orders will be enforced by peace officers, City of Austin Code Department inspectors, and the Office of the Austin Fire Marshall beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday. A violation is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or jail of up to 180 days.
Businesses with questions about the new orders are asked to call Austin 3-1-1.
