On Wednesday, March 10, Williamson County businesses will be allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity per Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order GA-34. Following Governor Abbott’s order,  Williamson County government buildings and facilities also will be open to the public at 100 percent capacity. There will be no additional requirements to enter buildings with the exception of the Justice Center. Governor Abbott’s order also lifted the mask mandate. The public will have the ability to choose if they wear a mask or not in county buildings with the exception of the Justice Center.

Pursuant to the 36th Emergency Orders of the Texas Supreme Court, the following minimum health protocols are adopted for the Williamson County Justice Center effective March 10, 2021, until further notice.  
 
a.    Temperature checks must be taken at the door, and an individual with a temperature above 99.6ºF will not be able to enter the building;
b.    Masks are required for entry to, and should be worn at all times in, the Justice Center, including in courtrooms and public spaces (except when alone in a space); and
c.    Social distancing is required while at the building.
 
These minimum health protocols are adopted after consultation with Judge Gravell, Dr. Vinita Magoon, the Local Health Authority and her designate, Dr. Jeff Jarvis. The primary consideration in adopting these protocols is the health and safety of visitors to and staff of the Justice Center and recognition that, because the Courts have the authority to compel individuals to appear, a slightly different posture related to COVID precautions is necessary at this time.  

“I've always been a huge proponent of personal choice and the ability for individuals to make their own decisions,” said Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell. “I appreciate the governor lifting the mask mandate and allowing individuals to make choices. Our citizens can choose to wear a mask or not.” 

The reopening of all county buildings and facilities includes all Williamson County parks and trails.  

·        All group pavilion rentals will return to original occupancy limits. 

·        All overnight campsites at Berry Springs Park and Preserve and Williamson County Expo Center will be available for use. 

·        Expo Center events will return to original occupancy limits, but the hall will remain closed due to winter storm damage. 

·        The Cedar Rock Railroad concession at Southwest Regional Park is not managed by the county and will require train riders (ages 10+) to continue wearing masks until further notice. 

Per GA-34, if COVID-19 hospitalizations in any of the 22 hospital regions in Texas get above 15 percent of the hospital bed capacity in that region for seven consecutive days, a County Judge may use COVID-19 mitigation strategies.  

Residents are encouraged to follow personal measures to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people continue washing their hands often, watching their distance from others when in public, wearing a mask, and consider taking the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to them. 

To view Executive Order GA-34 click here.