COVID-19 Stay Home, Work Safe Order for Hays County
Stay Home, Work Safe Order - FULL ORDER
(CLARIFICATION ON DAY CARES: In addition to the Hays County Order, an order was also issued by Mayor George Haehn on March 20. It includes the closure of daycare centers through April 3. City orders can be more restrictive that the Judge’s order.)
Mayor George Haehn Order - March 20
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra issued a Stay Home, Work Safe Order effective March 26, 2020, at 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. April 10, 2020, unless extended or cancelled. The Order also imposes a nightly curfew for members of the public between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
The Order was put in place to limit movement and activity among people in Hays County to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Residents, employers and employees are asked to follow the order to protect themselves and our community.
Essential Services will remain open and MUST enforce social distancing protocols.
Individuals are to stay at home. However, individuals may leave their residences for essential travel, essential activities, or to provide or perform essential governmental functions, or to operate essential businesses. This includes traveling to work at an essential business, traveling for the health of yourself or another person, leaving to get food and supplies, or getting outside to exercise.
To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must maintain social distancing of at least six (6) feet from any other person. This does not require a household or living unit to social distance when at home.
Essential Businesses - These businesses will remain open but must enforce social distancing:
- Animal Shelters
- Auto-repair shops
- Banks
- Day care centers - (CLARIFICATION ON DAY CARES: In Buda, Mayor Haehn ordered daycare centers closed until midnight on April 3.)
- Essential Government services (including police, EMS, fire, communications)
- Funeral Industry
- Gas stations
- Grocery stores
- Hardware stores
- Health care facilities
- Hotels & Motels
- Infrastructure & Construction
- Janitorial services
- Laundromats and dry cleaners
- Mail and delivery services
- Media services
- Pharmacies
- Repair: auto, bike and RV
- Restaurants (drive-thru, take out/delivery only)
- Scientific research
- Skilled trades (plumbing, electrical, HVAC)
- Social Services & Charities
- Transportation Services
- Trash collection
- Utilities
***Note: Liquor stores; and microbreweries, micro-distilleries, or wineries may only provide take out, delivery, or drive-in or drive-through services, as allowed by law.***
All non-essential businesses are required to close to the public.
Non-essential Businesses:
- Barber shops, nail salons, and hair salons
- Bars, lounges or taverns
- Gyms, fitness classes, yoga, and personal training facilities
- Tattoo and piercing parlors
- Spas, massage parlors, tanning salons, and other personal care businesses
- Commercial amusement and entertainment establishments, theaters
- Residential meeting spaces and event centers
- Hotel meeting spaces and ballrooms
- Outdoor plazas and markets
Additional Clarifications:
Businesses that are closed to the public may continue operations consisting exclusively of the following, as long as social distancing of at least 6 feet is maintained between all employees/contractors:
- Performing activities at their own residences (i.e. teleworking/working from home);
- Operations necessary to process payroll, maintain security, upkeep, and maintenance of premises, equipment or inventory, including but not limited to the care and maintenance of livestock or animals;
- IT or other operations that facilitate employees working from home;
- Facilitate online or call-in sales performed by employees in a store or facility closed to the public;
- In-store repair services performed by employees in a store or facility closed to the public.
Q&A: About the Order:
Q. Can I leave home to visit family in Buda or out of town?
A. No. For your safety and the safety of our community, please remain at home unless you are performing an essential function or exercising outdoors.
Q. Can I leave home to go work in another city that does not have a stay at home order?
A. Yes, if you work in a business or industry considered essential, you can travel to and from work.
Q. Is there a curfew in place?
A. No, Buda does not have a curfew in place at this time.
Q. Can I use rideshare or taxi services?
A. Yes, if you are using it to travel to an essential activity, such as work, food shopping, going to the pharmacy or performing an essential activity for family or friends (such as taking care of elder or disabled parents).
Q. Is this Order mandatory?
A. Yes, the Order is mandatory for all Hays County residents.
Q. Will mail and deliveries be allowed to continue?
A. Yes, mail and deliveries are still allowed.
Q. Can I have friends and family over for a get-together?
A. No. To stop the spread of the virus, please remain at home and do not invite others over.
Q. What should I do if I feel sick?
A. Contact your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and course of action.
Q. Can I leave my home to care for sick, disabled or elderly parents, family members or friends?
A. Yes, so long as this is an essential function for which you are responsible.
Q. Can I go outside to exercise or walk my dog?
A. Yes, dog walking and other forms of exercise are allowed. Please maintain a social distance of six (6) feet.
Q. Can I donate blood if I am healthy?
A. Yes. Blood donation centers are asking for healthy individuals to donate. Call ahead for details.
Q. Will law enforcement be issuing citations if someone violates the Order?
A. Yes, law enforcement officers may issue citations to those who violate the order.
Q. What should I do if I or loved ones are having a difficult time dealing with this crisis?
A. Contact the Buda Police Non-Emergency Number at 512- 393-7896, or call the Suicide Prevention Hotline, 800.273.8255.
Q. What about people experiencing homelessness?
A. Individuals experiencing homelessness are exempt from this Order but should maintain social distancing of at least six feet from other persons. Individuals experiencing homelessness are strongly urged to obtain shelter.
What can you do?
- Stay at home unless performing an essential function.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Maintain social distancing.
- Read, exercise or play board games
- Take the census
For non-emergency questions about COVID-19 please call the Hays County COVID-19 Hotline: 512-393-5525
