March 16, 2020 (Williamson County, TX) -- Williamson County has implemented measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, which includes the canceling and postponing of mass gatherings and community events. Below is a list of events held by Williamson County that have been canceled or postponed to a later date.

• The ribbon cutting for the San Gabriel Ranch Bridge over Lackey Creek near Liberty Hill, which was expected to be held March 17, has been canceled.
• The Williamson County Expo Center has cancelled all reserved and scheduled events. Staff will re-evaluate what will happen with events scheduled after April 12, every Monday and update accordingly.
• The Southwest Williamson County Regional Park has canceled all softball, soccer and cricket league practices and games.
• The Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department canceled all pavilion rental reservations with group size of 50 or more for Southwest Williamson County Regional Park, Champion Park, and Berry Springs and Park Reserve.
• Learn How to Fish, the county’s annual free-family-event, has been suspended and will be held at a later date.
• Vern’s No Frills 5K held every third Saturday of the month at Berry Springs Park and Reserve has been cancelled for March 21.
• The Williamson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Summer Youth Resource Fair that was scheduled for April 14, 2020 has been canceled.

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. 

The Small Business Association (SBA) has designated COVID-19 as a qualifying event for the provision of Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses and private non-profits in affected communities. If a business has suffered a substantial economic injury and is a specific type of business located in a declared disaster area, that business may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan.

To apply, go to https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

To learn more about the program through by reading the TDEM Internal Information Summary

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.