Williamson County Updates

NEWS FROM WILLIAMSON COUNTY

January 7, 2021

COVID-19 Hospitalization Rate Anticipated to Trigger Rollback of Capacity Limits Per Governor Abbott’s Executive Order

Trauma Service Area (TSA) Region O, which includes Williamson County, has experienced a steady increase in people hospitalized due to the COVID-19 virus. Per Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-32, certain businesses may be required to decrease their occupancy limit if the trend continues.  read more ...

October 12 

Williamson County Judge Gravell Opts-In to Open Bars Per Governor Abbott's Order

Starting Wednesday, October 14, Williamson County bars and similar establishments may offer on-premises services at up to 50 percent of the total listed occupancy of the establishment while observing Governor Abbott’s minimum standard health protocols. read more ...

August 12

County Judge Signs Order Allowing Gatherings in Excess of 10 People in the Unincorporated Areas of the County

County Judge Bill Gravell has signed an order effective Thursday, August 13, at 5 p.m., permitting Williamson County residents to have outdoor gatherings with more than 10 people in the unincorporated areas of Williamson County provided the gatherings comply with Governor Greg Abbott Executive Order GA-28, as amended, and future executive orders that may be issued by Governor Greg Abbott. Governor Abbott’s Order GA-28 includes limitations on capacity for events or occupancy limits that still apply.  read more ...

May 15

Family Emergency Room Opens COVID-19 Testing to Non-Symptomatic

Starting Wednesday, May 13, Williamson County and Family Emergency Room will allow individuals who wish to be tested for COVID-19, but are not experiencing symptoms, to be tested. Family Emergency Room is conducting COVID-19 tests by appointment free of charge at its facilities in Cedar Park and Round Rock. Residents must go to www.wilco.org/coronavirus to fill out the form first. Schedulers contact patients Monday through Friday; however, appointments are available seven days a week.  read more ...

April 28

Williamson County Receives Financial Support from CARES Act for COVID-19 Response

Williamson County is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of $93,382,340.10, which is provided to the county through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Aid, also known as CARES Act. The CARES Act established the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund, which will be used to assist states and local governments impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. read more ...

April 26

New COVID-19 Testing Site Available in Williamson County

Williamson County residents now have a new way to be able to be tested for the COVID-19 virus. Williamson County and the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) are offering a public testing site to increase the ability of county residents to get a COVID-19 test. read more ...

April 21

County Judge Signs Orders for Hospital Capacity and Retail During Stay Home Stay Safe

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell signed new orders to ensure consistency between the Williamson County Stay Home Stay Safe Order issued March 24, 2020, and the State of Texas Executive Orders GA 15 and GA 16.  read more ...

April 7, 2020

Williamson County Extends Stay Home Stay Safe Order to April 30

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell is extending the Stay Home Stay Safe order until 11:59 p.m. April 30, 2020. The decision to extend the Stay Home Stay Safe order was made following President Donald Trump and Governor Gregg Abbott’s move to extend their executive orders.  read more...

March 28, 2020

Williamson County Confirms First Death Due to COVID-19

Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) has received notification of the first COVID-19 death in Williamson County. The resident was a man in his 70s.  

Additional COVID-19 deaths and cases will be reported on the WCCHD dashboard. The dashboard is updated at noon daily. read more...

March 24, 2020
Williamson County Orders Residents to Stay Safe, Stay Home

In a proactive effort to reduce the number of new COVID-19 cases in Williamson County and in Central Texas, County Judge Bill Gravell has issued a Stay Home Stay Safe Order for all individuals in Williamson County. This Order takes effect at 11:59 p.m. on March 24, 2020, and will continue through 11:59 p.m. on April 13, 2020, subject to the limited exceptions. The Stay Home Stay Safe directives are intended to help control the spread of the coronavirus by keeping people isolated at home.

“We know that a virus knows no boundaries, so our Williamson County cities have come together and are united in this fight. We are joining our neighboring counties to show that we stand together to provide safety in the region,” said Judge Bill Gravell.

Exceptions include performing essential activities, such as purchasing food, and going to and from essential businesses and essential government services or perform construction, including housing.

All non-essential businesses are ordered to close under these directives, leaving only hospitals, fire departments, law enforcement and limited essential businesses including grocery stores and pharmacies open.

Essential activities and essential businesses during this order include but are not limited to: 

• Tasks that are essential to maintain health and safety, such as going to the hospital, obtaining medicine from pharmacies, clinics, veterinary offices and other healthcare service facilities
• Getting necessary supplies for you, your family or household members, such as groceries, pet food, food bank, farmers’ markets, convenience stores, carry-out or delivery restaurants, and other essentials for staying at home
• Getting to work for essential businesses or services, including roles needed to maintain basic operations such as security, payroll, and similar activities
• Engaging in outdoor activities, such as walking, hiking or running—just as long as you maintain at least 6 feet of physical distancing
• Caring for a family member in another household, and caring for elderly people, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or other vulnerable persons
• Childcare facilities providing services that enable essential employees to continue functioning
• Gas stations and auto repair facilities
• Banks and financial institutions
• Critical infrastructure including energy, water, solid waste collection and other governmental services
• Hardware stores, plumbers, electricians, and other service providers necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and other essential businesses
• Educational institutions, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning
• Businesses that provide social services and necessities of life for economically disadvantaged individuals and shelter facilities

For details on included essential businesses and essential activities, please see the Stay Home Stay Safe Order here.

With this order in place, the goal is to prevent exceeding hospital capacity and to avoid overwhelming the health care system by flattening the curve and reducing the spread of the coronavirus.

To ensure the health and safety of all our residents, County Judge Bill Gravell issued a disaster declaration on March 14 to activate the emergency management plan, which allowed the County to allocate resources, utilize personnel and enact procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Williamson County. It also allows for state assistance to be requested if local resources and mutual aid are insufficient. Under the local disaster declaration, the County Judge is given the authority to exercise any and all necessary powers set out under the Texas Disaster Act of Texas Government Code Chapter 418.

Evidence in Support of Community Interventions and Social Distancing

March 18, 2020
County Judge Signs Second Mass Gathering Order Limiting Gatherings to 10 or Fewer

Williamson County and Cities Health District announced today that we have our first cases of the COVID-19 virus in Williamson County. Today, I am issuing a second mass gathering order that will prohibit social community gathering of 10 people or more through May 11. This applies to churches, weddings, religious services or activities, concerts, funerals, fundraisers and other similar gatherings.

Also, food establishments are ordered to close common dining areas open to the public during the effective period of this Second Order and are encouraged to provide take-away or no-contact delivery food service designed to limit exposure between individuals. The holder of a wine and beer retailer’s permit or mixed beverage permit is ordered to close common indoor and outdoor bar spaces open to the public and is prohibited from allowing consumption on the bar premises during the effective period of this Second Order. View the full order here.. 

March 14, 2020
Williamson County issues local disaster declaration

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell has declared a Local State of Disaster for Williamson County in order to limit the development, contraction and spread of COVID-19 in Williamson County, Texas. These extraordinary measures were taken following disaster declarations by the President of the United States and the Texas Governor and based on information provided by emergency services agencies. While Williamson County has no confirmed cases of the coronavirus, to ensure the health and safety of all our residents, County Judge Bill Gravell is issuing a disaster declaration to activate the emergency management plan.This will allow the County to allocate resources, utilize personnel and enact procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Williamson County. It also allows for state assistance to be requested if local resources and mutual aid are insufficient.