Travis and Williamson Counties are all under three week stay-at-home lockdowns due to the Wuhan coronavirus.
Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt and Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell all signed shelter-in-place orders Tuesday. The orders take effect at midnight and runs through April 13.
The orders dictate that all residents must remain in their home unless performing essential activities, such as buying groceries, pet supplies and other items needed to work from home. People can also leave their homes to exercise and walk their pets as long as they comply with social distancing rules, the order states. Travel is also permitted when needed to take care of another person or pet at another home.
Since I live in Williamson, I’m definitely included in the lockdown area. Harris County (Houston), Dallas County, and Bexar County (San Antonio) are all under similar lockdowns.
HEB, our local supermarket chain, has taken to queuing people six feet apart outside before you can even get into the store. Yesterday stock was somewhat picked, and there were limiting quantities on just about all items, but you could find all the staples if you were willing to make substitutions. (Didn’t try to get toilet paper, but I did find a bottle of rubbing alcohol.)
I’m better equipped for this than most people. My job allows me to work from home, I have dogs, books, and video games to keep me occupied, and this will give me a jump on doing my taxes…
Tags: Austin, Bill Gravell, Dallas, Harris County, Sarah Eckhardt, Steve Adler, Texas, Travis County, Williamson County
I’m in Washington County. Haven’t heard anything about a lock-down here, but my employer has gone all-online for the duration, so I’m “working” from home as well. Kinda tricky given that my job is a public-service position:-P.
Haven’t been to HEB in the past several days, but I might head over tomorrow morning just to see what the damage is and try to stock back up on frozen strawberries and cheese. I’m pretty well full-up on everything else I’d need from there.
Bastrop here – no lock down. On the other hand, no toilet paper. My guess is no toilet paper in Central Texas, period. If you’re an HEB shopper I suggest that you start at HEB.com, load your virtual shopping cart and choose curbside. Make an appointment. You won’t get any toilet paper but you might get stuff that people are not hoarding. Store hours are now 8 – 8 and by 8:00 am the line will be literally around the store, including if it’s a Big Box. Do the curbside.
Actually, I find if I shop midway between opening and lunch, I can usually get in and shop without to much of a wait.