Williamson County, Texas

Do you have an embroidering machine, or own a sewing machine that you are ready to use during social distancing? How about scissors?  We are looking for you!  In an effort to support first responders, medical professionals, and other essential personnel who may be dealing with the ongoing supply shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), the Williamson County Commissioners Court has established a Mask Brigade under the leadership of the 26th District Court Judge Donna King. Working in partnership with COVID Rangers and Reid’s Cleaners, the volunteer task force will make fabric masks intended to provide a layer of protection from transmission of airborne contaminants that will later be distributed in compliance with Local Government Code and all applicable state law to those at the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19. For details, go to www.wilco.org/howcanIhelp. 

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell is extending the Stay Home Stay Safe order until 11:59 p.m. April 30, 2020. The decision to extend the Stay Home Stay Safe order was made following President Donald Trump and Governor Gregg Abbott’s move to extend their executive orders. The Stay Home Stay Safe directives are intended to help control the spread of COVID-19 by keeping people isolated at home. 

Williamson County is encouraging all county residents to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations to wear face coverings when they are out in public. The CDC emphasized that social distancing remains the best practice to help reduce the spread of COVID-19; however, they are advising people to take the extra safety measure by using cloth face coverings in places where social distancing may be difficult to enforce to help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. To learn ways to create your own mask, go to the CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.  To help make masks for others, click here.

The Williamson County Commissioners Court will hold their April 7, 2020, meeting online through a virtual meeting platform beginning at 9:30 a.m. Any member of the public wishing to make a public comment or speak on an agenda item will do so at the Historic Courthouse, 710 S. Main Street, Georgetown; however, the Commissioners Court members will attend virtually. To watch the meeting, please use the Commissioners Court Live link on the Williamson County website (http://www.wilco.org/), or watch the meeting video that will be posted on the website after the meeting has taken place. The meetings for April 14 and April 28 have been canceled. 

UPDATE: Cedar Park, Georgetown and Round Rock have closed their application process. Also, the Small Business Administration has closed the application process for its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

The cities of Cedar Park, Georgetown, Hutto, Leander, Round Rock, and Taylor, along with their chambers of commerce and other partners, have come forward with options to help small businesses and offer ways the community can directly help these businesses, too. In addition, the State of Texas and Small Business Administration have programs to help businesses. For Coronavirus Relief Options, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), click here. Learn more by clicking on the article title.