Wed Apr 15 03:13:59 2020
<21c2e595> city sent my biz this a few hours ago. goes into effect tomorrow.
Austin-Travis County Business and Industry Partners –
Your help through this unprecedented time has been instrumental in the Austin-Travis County community being able to provide services, goods, and information to the public. A thank you is not nearly enough. We are still in the middle of this pandemic, and need your help~ ~ and support to continue.
Based on information that we have received recently about the virus and guidelines released from the CDC, *Austin Public Health is releasing new requirements for essential businesses beginning Tuesday, April 14.*
· All employees are required to wear face coverings when working at an essential business
· All customers are required to wear face coverings when entering an essential business
· All workers are required to wear face coverings when working in critical infrastructure jobs
At this time, we are asking for voluntary compliance from the public and are not asking businesses to enforce the order. Enforcement of this Order is substantially reliant on self-regulation and a community commitment to public health and safety to fight the spread of COVID-19. _*Violation of this Order is a criminal offense.*_ If there is not widespread compliance with this Order, including adoption of mandatory face coverings, Austin-Travis County will increase enforcement efforts.
This requirement does not mean employees of critical infrastructure or the general public need to wear medical grade masks. Please save medical grade masks for healthcare professionals providing direct care to those with COVID-19. Austin Public Health is requiring employees working for essential businesses, and all people when out in public, wear face coverings like bandanas, cloths, homemade masks, or other items that cover the entirety of the nose and mouth. Face coverings should perform the following:
· Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
· Be secured with ties or ear loops
· Be made of multiple layers of fabric
· Allow for breathing without restriction
· Able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape
Wearing a face covering is to protect those you come in contact with while outside your home. This should not to be done in lieu of the other measures to protect your staff or your customers. Everyone needs to practice physical distancing, wash hands frequently, and avoid touching your face.
The City has also updated requirements to the construction industry. For the latest information on regulations for this industry see <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001m5M7yVqPErHtTx-rq3Bs3UG2c8-EALvE-__m6DlUUnkG3OisxQWa9rmuVKtZNRhgxXHk-xCHTs1KgHGTy02C8v1RMGqcxZlST5Dsn3ex505RBgFvhz8YSm_CDH7DYroFu1TZypc1jTITQWc8KaZGE2BKRTXH_Q8YheszaIN-oAobvMxyUnZu3UG3KyAoSxrOu8QGy5VWvsB-LYydf27sKTd7tN4AlHA3g1Ihlym9VaOHXdKjXWc_Pmr7QVTOB5lLf5V6VpyX0vhPWjChq_l8YslLqX6FhHD5F7owimOLR7rKQgFNSQzH7IiiUmeyOoPodURdtHxKP5luVcCkRzL3l8wx66T_2dedSPxwUqf8BeI24pW5wrqjz55UCneW44NPVQfi8RrvwO1q1SxOx7TbxBH2KoS-BW6SAu5g76xRA5_NnytXwHu33yvmGy1Tt9ACnvJhr53fspGZMyrrCo7uV2H0VQ2B0cW9e3N-NuGWplTVv6j0FOqyTaJpR-aJm6EyVsrk-l0szfEb9BRzku_-zX6ZtdFK7iEzemjWYe4g-xtuFdSeVPERHmBJDYaIKUmBLML-n8vxiIk91wfk88HP72oEZref4xlZd-G7fuBW7Z2MHkY1LjZTmcwcrET8bUUdHKb4Xhvoyd0piUOv9FDs8A==&c=ztvRK2YikQ6d_BXsEE4WD-DNLysiV5NIS_Upa7EuvkbILeeEUyAFOQ==&ch=y76klPojL9GFmZvsJE08yCz2NCNt2B4x9HTJJY4STPo7_njh4BVz0Q==|Guidance for the Construction Industry> on the website.
For businesses who have been closed during this time, we thank you for your continued compliance. The Stay Home – Work Safe order has been extended, all businesses not deemed essential are required to work from home or close, and *all special events and gatherings of any size remain prohibited until May 8, 2020* unless removed or renewed based on guidance from the Austin Public Health Authority.
If you are unsure if your business is essential, visit the Information for Businesses and Industry website for a breakdown of permitted businesses and job functions.
The Austin-Travis County business community continues to operate with ingenuity in these truly extraordinary times. Thank you for complying with these safety measures so that we can flatten the curve and return to normal as soon as possible.