AUSTIN, Texas -- The City of Austin and Travis County have extended the “Stay Home – Work Safe” orders to May 8. The orders were previously set to expire April 13. The new orders go into effect at 11:59 p.m. on April 13.
- Austin-Travis County stay-at-home orders extended to May 8
- Now require face coverings in public spaces
While much of the order remains the same, there is a key addition. Everyone over the age of 10 is now required to wear a face covering in public spaces.
The fabric must cover your mouth and nose and be worn in public buildings, on public transportation and in ride-share vehicles. In addition, they are required when pumping gas and outside when six feet of distancing cannot be maintained.
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“Face coverings are another key piece in flattening the curve,” said Austin-Travis County Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott. “It is critical that the public understand that this will not only help in slowing the spread of the disease, but face coverings are also part of our foreseeable future to safely reopen our society.”
Face coverings are not required when eating, riding in a personal vehicle or when alone in a single space. They are also not required for people who have trouble breathing.
Essential businesses will be provided with sinage to enforce the face covering requirement in the coming days.
The order additionally mandates that people living in a home with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or is undergoing COVID-19 testing must isolate until cleared by the health authority.
Finally, fabric stores are now considered essential businesses for the purpose of selling fabric and supplies for the creating of face coverings.