Williamson County, Texas

Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) has received notification of the first four positive cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Williamson County. At this stage information is very limited, WCCHD will share more as it becomes available and necessary to protect the health of the public. If you have symptoms of respiratory illness including cough, fever and shortness of breath, please contact your health care provider. Investigations conducted by the Williamson County and Cities Health District will identify potential contacts exposed to the virus and provide close contacts guidance about the virus and monitor them for the development of symptoms. If you have symptoms of respiratory illness including cough, fever and shortness of breath, please contact your health care provider. It is important to call ahead before arriving at a clinic, urgent care or emergency department to avoid potential spread. For more information, visit www.wcchd.org/COVID-19.  

The Williamson County and Cities Health District announced Wednesday, March 18, 2020, that we have our first cases of the COVID-19 virus in Williamson County. County Judge Bill Gravell issued a second mass gathering order that prohibits social community gathering of 10 people or more through May 11. This applies to churches, weddings, religious services or activities, concerts, funerals, fundraisers and other similar gatherings.

Also, food establishments are ordered to close common dining areas open to the public during the effective period of this Second Order and are encouraged to provide take-away or no-contact delivery food service designed to limit exposure between individuals. The holder of a wine and beer retailer’s permit or mixed beverage permit is ordered to close common indoor and outdoor bar spaces open to the public and is prohibited from allowing consumption on the bar premises during the effective period of this Second Order. View the full order here. 

You will be able to find the details of this order on our website.These are drastic measures that we are taking to reduce the spread of this virus in the community so that our health care facilities will not be overwhelmed in the days to come. 
 

Animal shelters in areas already affected by the novel virus have felt a significant impact. Because of this, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter is operating under an emergency plan. Currently, the shelter remains open to the public for adoptions and fosters. However, that may change, at which time, we have made contingency plans for a curbside pick-up process.

WCRAS will change the hours open to the public on Friday, March 20, 2020. The public hours will be 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday through Saturday.

Learn more about the initiatives the WCRAS is taking by clicking the title to read more.

The Texas Supreme Court has waived all statutory time limits.  As a result, all Justices of the Peace in Williamson County issue the following notice, effective immediately. Below are highlights from the notice.

• All scheduled court proceedings, except for “essential court proceedings” prior to May 11, 2020, will be reset to another date.  Each court will be in contact with litigants.  This includes all civil cases, criminal cases, evictions, miscellaneous hearings, and jury trials.
• Essential court proceedings include writs of re-entry, writs of retrieval, writs of restoration, writs of repair and remedy that materially affect the physical health or safety of a tenant, death inquests, and weddings.
• Citations with an appearance date prior to May 11, 2020, have been extended to May 31, 2020.  No warrants due to failing to appear from March 13, 2020, to May 31, 2020, will be issued.

For additional information and contact information, please refer to the respective Justice Court below at the county webpage www.wilco.org .

In an effort to maintain social distancing standards for our residents and staff, all Williamson County Tax Office lobbies will be closed to the public beginning at 1 p.m. today, March 17, 2020, until further notice. Residents can still conduct business via mail, drop box, or online. Drive-through lanes will remain open for business at the Round Rock and Cedar Park locations. Drive-throughs are limited to property tax payments, registration renewals, and disabled parking placards.

For further information please visit our website at www.wilco.org/taxoffice or call us at 512-943-1601. To aid the State’s efforts to combat COVID-19, Governor Abbott has also waived certain rules for vehicle registration, title transfers, and disabled parking placards. This is effective for 60 days beginning March 16th, 2020. Details are provided in this link: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-waives-certain-vehicle-registration-titling-and-parking-placard-regulations-in-texas.