Austin Public Health (APH) opened COVID-19 vaccine appointments to the general public earlier this week, including anyone 18+. Click here to connect to the APH registration portal. APH also announced loosened restrictions earlier this week for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. People are considered fully inoculated two weeks after their last dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Those who are fully vaccinated are no longer asked to quarantine after exposure to the coronavirus if they do not have any symptoms. Additionally, they will not be required to wear a face covering in settings and situations deemed safe by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Under current CDC guidelines updated in early April, people who are fully vaccinated can meet with others who are fully vaccinated indoors without wearing masks or social distancing. They can also interact indoors without masks and without social distancing with people within their household who are not fully vaccinated and are not at high risk for severe symptoms from the disease. Click here for more information.

A total of 80,909 cases have been reported to date in Travis County, with 2,613 of those cases from the Lake Travis area (zip codes 78734, 78738 and 78669). That's up 32 cases from this time last week in the Lake Travis area. There are currently 1,093 active cases at this time in Travis County (up from 1,021 last week) and 131 individuals hospitalized in the region (down from 138 last week). A total of 285,697 cumulative doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Travis County through Austin Public Health according to the latest update to their portal. Click here to review the COVID-19 case dashboard, which includes an interactive map to see cases by your zip code. Click here for more details on hospitalizations. Click here for helpful links on vaccinations.

Early voting begins on Monday, April 19 and will end on Tuesday, April 27 for the May 1, 2021 local election. The upcoming election will include electing a mayor and three city councilmembers, along with a special election to consider reauthorization of a road maintenance sales tax. Click here for more information on our election page.

Early voting times will be Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. The closest early voting location for Lakeway residents will be the Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). There is also an early voting location at Bee Cave City Hall (4000 Galleria Parkway). However, residents can vote at any of the early voting locations in Travis County. Click here for a full list of those locations.

Earth Day will be next Thursday, April 22 and the City of Lakeway has a few ways you can participate in some environmentally-friendly activities.

Volunteer Event: The community is welcome to a special event at City Hall next Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. We have several volunteers signed up to help with a Lakeway clean-up project on that day, and we welcome others to attend as well. Volunteers will meet at City Hall during the lunch hour on April 22 to collect trash pickers, trash bags, vests and a map. The map will include locations in Lakeway where trash pick-up is needed in our area. Volunteers will pick up trash along those areas, and then meet back at City Hall to receive a special certificate, along with some Earth Day-friendly snacks and beverages, and some environmentally-focused information. If you're interested in participating, click here for more information and to fill out the online form.

Scavenger Hunt: As part of the city's Earth Day celebration, a special Earth Day Fact Find scavenger hunt is also taking place from now through April 25. There are 10 questions placed throughout Lakeway City Park that will test your environmental knowledge. If you scan the question you find through your smartphone and answer those questions, the participant will be entered into a prize drawing, which will take place the end of this month. Click here for all the details, including some helpful clues.

Enchanted Forest Walk: Finally, explore more of our beautiful outdoor greenspaces by visiting the trail directly behind City Hall (1102 Lohman's Crossing Road). Tiny fairies and gnome homes will line the trails under a canopy of magical trees and twinkling lights. This special experience is also free and open to the public starting tomorrow (April 17) through the beginning of May. Click here for more details.