COVID-19 - What You Need to Know TODAY
June 30, 2020
Recent Updates that May Affect YOUR Business
IMPORTANT UPDATES
Williamson County Mayors are issuing orders to require masks at businesses. Each community’s mask order may be a little different – be sure you know what the requirement is. Some penalties could be placed on the individual and not on the businesses.

The mayors of Cedar Park, Georgetown, Taylor and Hutto have all issued orders on Monday requiring that employees and customers at businesses wear face masks. The Round Rock City Council also passed a similar ordinance Monday. The orders will become effective on Wednesday in Cedar Park, Hutto, Round Rock and Taylor. In Georgetown, the order becomes effective on Friday.

FEDERAL & STATE UPDATES FOR BUSINESS
TODAY is the last day the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is accepting loan applications . In the last three months since the first 4.8 million PPP loans were issued, the Cedar Park Chamber has continued to push out information on the PPP Program. Be sure to apply for the PPP today if you need resources or help.

Governor Abbott announced on Thursday the State of Texas will pause any further phases to open Texas as the state responds to the recent increase in positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Businesses that are permitted to open under the previous phases can continue to operate at the designated occupancy levels and under the minimum standard health protocols provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services. For more information, CLICK HERE.

Last week, Governor Abbott issued an executive order limiting certain businesses and services as part of the state’s effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. This decision comes as the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 and the number of hospitalizations have increased and the positivity rate in Texas increased above 10%, which the Governor previously stated would lead to further preventative action. The targeted measured directives in the executive order are based on links between certain types of businesses and services and the recent rise in positive cases throughout the state. The order includes: all bars; restaurants need to dial back to 50% occupancy; rafting/tubing businesses; and outdoor gatherings of 100 or more. To view the order, CLICK HERE .

The federal government has granted Governor Abbott’s request to extend operations of Community Based Testing Sites across Texas. The federal government will maintain support for the program while surging resources to Dallas and Houston in order to support testing needs within the community.

IN A PIECE OF GOOD NEWS - - - Pre-mixed cocktails are now legal for takeout in Texas. Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC) issues new industry rules that allows for pre-mixed cocktails (with some limitations and restrictions) to be sold.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY UPDATE
TODAY is the last day you may apply for the WILCO Forward Small Business Grant Program. WILCO Forward is a program designed to help retain businesses and their employees during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic. Be sure to apply today if you need financial help. CLICK HERE .

Williamson County received notification Friday of three more COVID-19 deaths , a male in his 70s, a female in her 80s and a female who was 100 years old. Late Sunday another notification went out of another COVID-19 death. The death on Sunday was a male in his 40s. On Monday the County received notification of two more COVID-19 deaths. The deaths on Monday include a male in his 40s and a male in his 80s. This brings the county’s total death toll to 37.

For more information on the latest COVID-19 case counts in Williamson County, please visit the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) dashboard located HERE . The dashboard information is updated daily.

CITY OF CEDAR PARK UPDATES
Cedar Park Mayor Corbin Van Arsdale issued an Emergency Order requiring all commercial entities and non-profits (other than churches and places of worship) to require face coverings. The order requires that every person over the age of 10 (both employees and visitors) inside these facilities or buildings to wear a face covering over their mouth and nose when that person is within six feet of another person. The Order also requires all commercial entities to display a notice of the requirement.

While there are no civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance, businesses must require face coverings under this Order.

The requirement to wear face coverings does NOT apply to the following situations:
  • When eating, drinking or smoking
  • When outdoors
  • When a person is engaged in exercise or physical activity at a gym or exercise facility
  • When wearing a face covering poses a greater health, safety or security risk than not wearing one
  • When a person is within six feet of another person but is separated from that person by Plexiglass or other mitigation strategy that provides adequate separation
  • When inside a building or facility that requires security surveillance or screening (bank, financial institution)
  • When under the age of 13 and attending a daycare, childcare, youth camp or sports camp

To view the order and announcement, CLICK HERE .

“Cedar Park has only four ICU beds currently available,” stated Mayor Van Arsdale. “We must do everything we can to make sure that bed[s] will be there.”

LEANDER ISD UPDATES
With graduation dates coming soon , Leander Independent School District (LISD) is providing graduates and families updates regarding the ceremonies . LISD states Health & Safety continues to be their top priority. Due to recent guidance by Governor Greg Abbot, LISD will need to limit attendance to the ceremonies to 100 people or less. As a result, they are hosting a ceremony where graduate will celebrate with their families, receive a diploma and walk the stage at Gupton Stadium. For more details, CLICK HERE .

AVAILABLE RESOURCES
In response to the recent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act that passed on June 5 th , the U.S. Treasury has released new loan forgiveness forms. These forms aim to shorten documentation requirements to give borrowers an easier path to debt forgiveness. In addition to this “EZ” application, the Treasury also released a revised, full forgiveness application in accordance with the PPP Flexibility Act. Please find the documents below.


IN CLOSING TODAY
There are many people that feel a certain way about wearing a face covering. Some believe it is an infringement on their civil liberties. Others believe it is imperative to health and public safety. No matter where you fall on this spectrum, people are going to be required to wear them inside businesses beginning at 12:01am tomorrow (July 1, 2020).

The Chamber conducted a survey of our local businesses and the overwhelming majority of those who responded were already requiring a face covering to be worn by their employees and many times requiring both employees and customers to wear a mask. Be sure to check on the Chamber or City website to view updated information about the mask order.


Be safe and be kind to one another!


Tony Moline, IOM, PCED
President & CEO
Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce
GOOD TO KNOW
CLICK TO VIEW MASK ORDER
PPP Forgiveness & PHASE 4 Overview
The Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce hosted John Gonzales, Regional Director with the US Chamber of Commerce, where he discussed the Forgiveness process of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and an overview of Phase 4 of the economic stimulus.
REGISTER NOW!
DAILY INSPIRATION
NEWSLETTER SPONSORED BY: