Lakeway Mayor Sandy Cox has been regularly updating the community through weekly Facebook broadcasts on Tuesdays, but this week, that event was held Thursday, April 30, following a number of orders rolled out by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Notably, Gov. Abbott has allowed the previous stay-at-home order to expire. Masks or face coverings are also no longer required to be worn in public.
Phase One of Abbott’s plan to reopen Texas began May 1. A number of businesses, including retailers and restaurants, will be permitted to open with 25% capacity.
In the event that the state does not see a spike in COVID-19 cases, Phase Two will be rolled out May 18, increasing capacity to 50%.
The plan is underway in an effort to get Texas residents back to work, according to Cox, adding that the implementation of Phase Two is dependent on data.
“I’m going to really encourage us to strictly adhere to the guidelines so that step by step here, we can continue to reopen,” Cox said.
Businesses are required to comply with a number of safety standards including adhering to social distancing standards, sanitizing surfaces in between customers and screening employees’ temperatures upon entry.
Cox encouraged residents to remain patient as businesses navigate this transitional period.
Though churches are now permitted to hold in-person services, many in the Lakeway area are deciding to postpone their openings. While a number of smaller churches have reported opening dates, larger congregations are choosing to wait, according to Cox.
Employees working in single-person offices, such as accountants, are now permitted to return to work. Cox noted that while Abbott used the phase "sole proprietorship" when referring to these businesses, the correct definition is a single-person office.
Hair salons are considered sole proprietorship businesses; however, they are not permitted to open May 1 under Abbott’s order.
Non-contact outdoor sports involving four or fewer people are now able to take place, according to Cox, so the city has reopened a number of its tennis and golf clubs. The city’s skateparks and various other sport courts have also opened. However, Cox mentioned that dog parks and playgrounds will remain closed at this time.
The city is limiting skate parks to accommodate only four individuals at a time. Those waiting to enter should practice social distancing.
“I’m also happy to tell you that boating is open,” Cox said. “It’s supposed to be a beautiful weekend, and I hope you all are able to go out and enjoy the lake.”
The openings of hair salons, gyms, bars and other businesses are still on hold.
“What the governor is trying to achieve is a really delicate balance of managing the spread of COVID-19 and bringing our economy back,” Cox said.
She encouraged residents to continue social distancing as they support local businesses and partake in daily activities.
As the process of opening continues, Cox advised residents and local business owners to reflect on guidelines put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We’re getting smarter and smarter about how to control the spread and how to diagnose and treat it,” Cox said.
Amid this progress, Cox said, protecting the city’s most vulnerable residents remains critically important, as the Lakeway area is home to a high number of elderly and/or immunocompromised citizens.
“We have one of the most vulnerable populations in Travis County," Cox said. "We have an extremely high percentage of elder care facilities as well as elder citizens.”
Cox said that she remains cautious in the opening process and admitted that she is worried about seeing growth in cases as regulations are relaxed.
Lakeway updated its own orders April 30 to reflect the guidelines issued by Abbott, clarifying that cities and counties do not have the authority to override the governor’s decisions.
Cox encouraged the use of face coverings even though they are no longer legally required. However, she said, a business could require that patrons wear masks upon entry.
“It’s not just to protect you; it’s to protect those around you,” Cox said, adding that a number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 have appeared unsystematic.
Cox said the city will be in a flux period for the next couple of weeks as businesses begin to open.
Many businesses have reported that opening to serve only 25% is not economically feasible, so Cox encouraged residents to support them.
“Some of the merchants we’ve had have been here for several decades,” Cox said. “They sure can use the help, so take time to shop local.”
