Austin Health Authority Extends Coronavirus Emergency Rules

AUSTIN, TX — The Austin-Travis County Health Authority on Tuesday extended the existing emergency rules that promote the health and safety of Austin-Travis County residents in the fight against the coronavirus amid a spike in new cases.

The extended Health Authority Emergency Rules can be found the COVID-19 Information portal of the City of Austin website. These rules took effect on Tuesday and expire on Dec. 31.

The emergency rules, which were adopted as authorized by City of Austin Ordinance No. 2020709-003, govern individuals and sites within the City of Austin and impose requirements reasonably necessary to protect public health from COVID-19 during this critical moment of transmission, officials explained in an advisory.

“Yesterday we reported the highest number of new cases since September," Dr. Mark Escott, interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority, said in a prepared statement. "We are up over 140 percent in a little over a month, and 60 percent in the past week. A significantly worsening situation here in Travis County from COVID-19 transmission.”

These emergency rules are separate from city and county orders, which can also be found on the COVID-19 Orders and Rules page. For more details, visit the COVID-19 Information site.