COVID-19 Watch

Austin issues stay at home/work safe order to prevent COVID-19 spread

Austin is now under a shelter in place order.

CDC

Local officials have issued a shelter in place order for the City of Austin, effectiveTuesday, March 24 at 11:59 pm through April 13. Mayor Steve Adler announced the order around 10:30 am on Tuesday.

The order mandates that all residents must stay in their residence unless it's to obtain essential services, such as getting food or medicine. Additionally, all non-essential businesses must close.

All non-family gatherings, including social activities and religious services, are now banned. Previously, groups were limited to less than 10 people.

As part of the order, residents may still go outside to do things like exercise, hike, or walk their dog, but they must maintain a six-foot distance from other people. Restaurants are allowed to continue takeout or drive-thru options. Schools that are currently providing meals may also continue to do so, but only in a to-go format.

The following are considered essential retail services and will remain open:

Grocery stores
Big-box stores
Bodegas
Gas stations
Liquor stores
Convenience stores
Farmers markets
Hardware stores
Auto repair shops
Banks
Bike repair shops
Laundromats
Dry cleaners
And "businesses that supply products for working at home."

Critical infrastructure, including Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Capital Metro operations, communications, emergency services, energy, and water and wastewater systems, remain open. Services such as USPS, UPS, FedEx, and food delivery services are still operating. Read the full order here.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, Austin's shelter in place order is based off of Dallas' mandate, which was issued on March 22. Waco, San Antonio, and Houston followed on March 23.

As CultureMap Dallas reported, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has not issued a statewide shelter in place order, but has banned all elective medical, dental, and surgical procedures in an initiative to increase the number of hospital beds in Texas.

As of March 23, Travis County had 86 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

health

merry xmas atx!

Austin makes merry as one of the best cities to celebrate Christmas

City of Austin Government - Facebook

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Austinites are right at home when it comes to experiencing the best Christmas in Texas this year. The very merry state capital has jumped into the No. 23 spot on WalletHub's annual list of the best cities for celebrating Christmas in 2024.

The yearly report ranks the 100 most populous U.S. cities across five key dimensions: Traditions and fun, observance, generosity, shopping opportunities, plus travel and meal costs.

Austin previously ranked as the No. 31 best U.S. city for celebrating Christmas in WalletHub's 2023 report.

Here's how Austin performed in the five main categories in the study:

No. 19 – Traditions and fun rank
No. 20 – Shopping rank
No. 36 – Costs rank
No. 42 – Generosity rank
No. 72 – Observance rank

Austin gets to cheer itself on as the highest-ranked Texas city in 2024 thanks to its heap of holiday happenings, including numerous delightful light displays throughout town. From local restaurants and bars putting their all into creating festive feasts to-go and delightful cocktail experiences, to locals supporting small businesses at holiday markets, there is plenty to get Austinites in the holiday spirit this year.

Smaller Central Texas towns like Smithville have also transformed into fun, festive escapes for city dwellers this time of year.

Austin households also have bigger holiday budgets in 2024 than they did the year before. According to a separate WalletHub study, the average Austin household is expected to spend about $1,905 on Christmas gifts this year, versus $1,877 in 2023.

"With inflation making Christmas celebrations, gifts, food and travel more expensive, certain cities are much better for your wallet than others during the holiday," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. "In addition to being affordable, the best cities have a large number of people celebrating, plenty of places for Christians to worship, populations who give generously to charity, and plenty of fun activities to enjoy with family and friends."

In a separate report by home services provider Thumbtack, Austin was crowned the No. 1 most festive U.S. city for the third year in a row.

Elsewhere in Texas, other festive cities that earned spots in the top 50 include San Antonio (No. 30), Dallas (No. 31), and Houston (No. 41).

The top 10 best places to experience Christmas in 2024 are:

No. 1 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 2 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
No. 3 – Seattle, Washington
No. 4 – Las Vegas, Nevada
No. 5 – Orlando, Florida
No. 6 – San Francisco, California
No. 7 – St. Louis, Missouri
No. 8 – Miami, Florida
No. 9 – Chicago, Illinois
No. 10 – New York, New York

christmas holidays lists bests