In order to slow down the spread of novel coronavirus in Austin and Travis County, Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt issued an order requiring that all Austin restaurants have to close down their dining rooms immediately through Friday, May 1. This decision comes the morning after Dallas and Houston announced similar mandates earlier last evening.

It’s important to note that Austin and Travis County restaurants will still be able to stay open for delivery, takeout, and curbside pickup service only. However, this also means that bars, nightclubs, lounges, and venues that don’t serve food cannot stay open during this period. Mayor Adler clarified that food trucks will be able to stay open as long as they close down their dining areas and stick to to-go orders.

Also included is the ban of gatherings of 10 people or more, which is in line with the White House’s guidelines issued yesterday, though grocery stores, markets, and pharmacies don’t fall under this order. Anyone who doesn’t follow the new rules will be fined $1,000 or face jail up to 180 days.

The announcement was made at noon during a press conference lead by Interim Health Authority Public Health Dr. Mark Escott, followed by Judge Eckhardt and Mayor Adler.

Eckhardt recommended people support businesses by buying gift certificates to use later. She also noted that Travis County paused all evictions.

Mayor Adler encouraged people to tip generously when going out for takeout and pickup orders. He also recommended that people and businesses to reach out to Work Force Solutions for help regarding jobs and loss of income. He’s also working with local banks to increase the speed and amounts of loans to help businesses to pay very important expenses. He is also asking landlords and vendors to be considerate of these times, “to extend grace to the fullest extent,” he said in the press conference.

Other cities and states throughout the country have issued similar bans, such as New York, Los Angeles, Oregon, and Massachusetts. The CDC had already recommended that gatherings and events be limited to less than 50 people.

These orders are aligned with social distancing efforts, where people avoid large groups, help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and thereby flatten the curve and easing the demands on hospitals.

On Sunday, the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) lobbied state officials to not close down restaurants and instead allow them to serve delivery and takeout instead. That way, businesses could stay open and make some sort of income while also making sure they’re keeping their employees and customers safe at the same time.

The TRA also estimates a projected job loss of up to 500,000, as a result of the restaurant dining room closures in Dallas and Harris counties, via a press release.

Already numerous Austin restaurants and bars have taken it upon themselves to close down already, either shuttering completely like Nickel City and Asia Market or pivoting to pickups and delivery, like Franklin Barbecue and Via 313.

This article has been updated to include details from the press conference.

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