Austin announces new pandemic rules, effective Aug. 16

The city of Austin on Friday published guidelines for local pandemic public safety rules that will take effect Aug. 16.

Mayor Steve Adler announced the new orders Friday. Rules are set to stay in place until Dec. 15, according to the city order.

In addition to measures related to social distancing and facial coverings that were put in place in previous orders, city officials will continue its ban on gatherings of more than 10 people that are not on the list of events protected by state shelter-in-place orders.

Activities protected by the city’s 10-person limit included religious services, child-care service, summer camps and recreational sports programs, among others.

The order states that some outdoor events and locations, such as professional and collegiate sporting events, swimming pools, water parks, rodeos and equestrian events and amusement parks, will have to operate at a 50% occupancy limit.

The full list of rules included in the order can be found here.

Austin Public Health officials also released updated guidelines for school reopenings, which can be found here.

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