Eckhardt said that she expected Williamson County to make a similar order tomorrow.
“We are looking at an order that requires all non-essential businesses to function as a work from home, or to significantly curtail their business activities," Eckhardt said.
The order will have four major provisions, she said, including allowances for essential activities, government functions, critical functions and business functions. All non-essential businesses will be ordered to have employees work from home, but Travis County residents will still be free to go out to do essential tasks such as grocery shopping, visiting pharmacies and medical trips. She also said the order would likely last 2-3 weeks.
Eckhardt confirmed that Travis County's order would hold similarities with other counties and municipalities that have already issued shelter-in-place orders.
"Major counties and major cities have all been looking at the same example orders from across the United States when crafting their own," she said.
Several other populous Texas cities and counties have already issued shelter in place orders, which dictate that individuals should refrain from leaving their places of residence except to conduct essential business or duties. In Dallas County, essential functions were outlined as healthcare work, essential critical infrastructure work, and operations that support residences and other businesses.
Eckhardt did not specifically outline what methods would be used to enforce the order, but said officials will predominantly rely "on the good sense, the good will, and the everyday heroism of Travis County residents."
However, Eckhardt also said that a statewide shelter-in-place order would be more effective that a "piecemeal" approach in ensuring that every major metropolitan area in Texas cuts gatherings of any size—although Gov. Greg Abbott has said he will not issue a statewide order.
