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. 
 

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 .

Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell has issued an order stating community gatherings of 50 people or more anywhere in Williamson County have been prohibited for the next eight weeks to slow the transmission of COVID-19. The ban on public or private gatherings, part of Orders adopted by Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell, take effect 6 p.m. Monday, March 16, and will continue until Monday, May 11, 2020, unless otherwise extended or terminated by the Williamson County Judge or by action of the Williamson County Commissioners Court. View the Williamson County Order here. This Order does not apply to the day to day operations of organizations such as daycare facilities, schools, institutes of higher learning, private sector businesses, and public sector business. View order here. 

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell has declared a Local State of Disaster for Williamson County in order to limit the development, contraction and spread of COVID-19 in Williamson County, Texas. These extraordinary measures were taken following disaster declarations by the President of the United States and the Texas Governor and based on information provided by emergency services agencies. While Williamson County has no confirmed cases of the coronavirus, to ensure the health and safety of all our residents, County Judge Bill Gravell is issuing a disaster declaration to activate the emergency management plan. This will allow the County to allocate resources, utilize personnel and enact procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Williamson County. It also allows for state assistance to be requested if local resources and mutual aid are insufficient. Read more about opportunities for Small Business Administration loans and changes to County procedures here.