COVID-19 Update: Face Coverings Now Mandatory
Yesterday afternoon, Governor Abbott issued an Order making it mandatory to wear a face coverings when inside a building or space open to the public, or when in an outdoor public space wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing between households. There could be a fine attached for a second offense. Click here to read the Order as there are several exceptions. Additionally, gatherings in excess of 10 people is prohibited (with few exceptions). Click here to read that updated Order. Both Orders took effect at noon today.

As the holiday weekend approaches, officials are urging residents to remain home if you don't have to be out. You may have received an emergency alert within the past few days from Austin Public Health warning residents in Travis County to stay in and follow the proper health and safety guidelines this Fourth of July weekend, including not gathering in groups, maintaining six-feet distance from others and wearing a proper face covering. The warning comes as increased cases and hospitalizations continue throughout Central Texas.

Earlier this week Austin Public Health updated the county risk-based guidelines to be in line with updated hospital data. The updated chart still keeps Travis County in Stage 4, but expands the window that would reach into Stage 5. There are 1,500 hospital beds available for COVID-19 patients in a five-county area including Travis County. Currently, there are 415 individuals occupying a portion of that capacity. Travis County is currently in the middle of Stage 4, with an average of around 58 hospitalizations in a seven-day period. If hospitalizations reach an average of 123, or if there is a large increase in hospitalizations over a short period of time, Stage 5 would be triggered with enhanced mitigation efforts.

Other efforts were put in place recently to limit the spread of the virus statewide. Last Friday, bars and tubing/rafting businesses were ordered to close per the Governor's updated Orders. Additionally, this week restaurants were required to reduce capacity back from 75% to 50%.

Mayor Cox gave a briefing on the latest in yesterday's Facebook Live update. Click here to watch that video. There will also be a Special City Council Work Session on Monday, July 6 starting at 6:30 p.m. This meeting will also be conducted through video conference, and available for access on our website. Click here to view the agenda and an option for participating.

Finally, to the numbers. This weekend saw the highest number of reported daily cases, and Travis County has now surpassed 10,000 cumulative cases in the last few days. There have been a total of 10,695 cases in Travis County. That number is up by 3,598 compared to this same time last week, 2,106 the week before that, and 753 the week before that one. Click here for more details and to view the tracking tool, which includes an interactive map to see cases by your zip code.

Please continue to wash your hands regularly, practice physical/social distancing, and wear a proper face covering in public. Thank you for helping keep our community safe during this difficult and unusual time.




Holiday Cancellations & Closures
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic a parade and Pageantry of Flags ceremony was not able to take place this weekend. A city fireworks show was in the works in place of the parade and ceremony as a way to try and keep crowds dispersed. However, a County letter this week from Judge Sam Biscoe encouraged city's not to host public events and close public spaces. This was a difficult decision, but one made with the primary focus of keeping our residents and community safe. We hope you and your family can celebrate our country's birthday safely from home this year. Click here to read that letter.

Additionally, in line with the County letter, Lakeway's major public park spaces are closed and will plan to re-open again Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. Click here for those details.

Finally, City offices are closed today in observance of the Fourth of July holiday. If you need to reach our police department, please call (512) 261-2800. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.
Fourth of July Celebration Alternatives
It will be an unusual time not celebrating with a traditional parade and ceremony this year. But, it's important to still recognize the importance this holiday brings to our country. And there are many ways to still celebrate safely. Here are some ways to celebrate while following the proper health and safety guidelines:

  1. You can still have a backyard barbecue with your family, and even video conference in other families from outside the area.
  2. Several networks are expected to carry fireworks shows Saturday evening starting as early as 7 p.m. Make sure to grab your special holiday snacks and tune in to some of the shows throughout the country.
  3. Take a stroll down our boulevards here in Lakeway and take a look at the rows of American flags lining the streets. Our Parks & Recreation Department has lined many of our roadways with 2,800 American flags throughout the City.

Finally, send us pictures of how you are celebrating the Fourth of July this year. We are looking to put a community picture collage together on our city social media accounts to showcase how our residents celebrated our nation's birthday a little differently this year. Email your shots to [email protected] or tag us on social media (@cityoflakeway) by Sunday evening for a special post next Monday. The best way to celebrate this unusual year will be at home with your families, and we want to showcase that!

And just a friendly reminder, fireworks are prohibited in Lakeway.

Stay safe and Happy Fourth of July from all of us at the City of Lakeway!
NEW: Business Grant Pre-Application Window Extended

The deadline for businesses to pre-apply for the Travis County business grant program has been extended to Friday, July 10. Lake Travis area businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to fill out the pre-application eligibility questionnaire by next Friday. Grants up to $40,000 are being offered to qualifying businesses in Travis County to help with payroll expenses, rent, supplier/vendor payments and sanitation supplies, among other eligible expenses. If you're a local business affected by the pandemic, click here for more information and to fill out the questionnaire.
NEW: Online Library Programs Available

The Lake Travis Community Library offers several virtual programs for you and your family to enjoy. Family Story Time takes place every Thursday this month. Click here to register. Additionally, the library has many book clubs you can access virtually. Click here for those details. So far, the community has read around 84,000 minutes for the Community Reading Challenge, which started the beginning of June. If the community collectively reads 100,000 minutes by July 31, a $1,000 donation will be made to two local food banks. Click here for details and to connect with other library programs.
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY: On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress met at the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to adopt the United States Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence outlined that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject to the monarch of Britain and rule under King George III. The colonies were now united, free, and independent states. The Congress had voted to declare independence two days earlier (July 2), but it was ultimately not declared until July 4.
For the latest updates, please visit our website: LAKEWAY-TX.GOV
Questions or comments? Don't hesitate to email us: [email protected]