AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- The City of Austin is requiring retail stores to enforce social distancing, in a new order issued Saturday night.
The order, signed by Austin Mayor Steve Adler, applies to businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies and warehouses. The new rules require enforcing a 6-foot separation between patrons queuing in line in front of and inside stores.
"While the City is doing well minimizing close interactions, we must do more to reduce the number of people congregating closely at stores," Adler said. "This new City Order issued tonight requires this, and adds requirements for certain critical infrastructure to help ensure they are able to maintain operations. Let’s stay focused on physical separation, and do our part to flatten the curve."
The new order also includes requirements for employees working at businesses and facilities identified as "critical infrastructure". Employees should refrain from reporting to work if they have any of the following criteria:
- Has signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as a cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat;
- Has a fever greater than 99.6°F;
- In the previous 14 days has had contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and did not have the appropriate personal protective equipment designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); is under investigation for COVID-19; or is ill with a respiratory illness; or
- Has traveled to an area the World Health Organization or CDC considers a “hotspot”.
Employers should send the employee home if they meet any of these criteria.
