“Business & Industry Updates” a publication produced by the Austin-Travis County Joint Information System’s Business & Industry team.
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Five Things Business Owners Need to Know While Navigating COVID-19
Welcome to “Business & Industry Updates” a publication produced by the Austin-Travis County Joint Information System’s Business & Industry team in response to COVID-19.
This newsletter is designed to provide for-profit, non-profit and commercial entities, including residential, commercial real estate offices, venues and events, with the latest news and information regarding COVID-19 in Austin-Travis County.
1.How do the current State, County & City Requirements currently in place affect my business?
If you’ve been watching the news lately, you may have heard that Austin Public Health (APH) and the City of Austin have issued new mandates to protect residents from the spread of COVID-19.
The City of Austin has enacted Emergency Rules to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community. These rules, effective July 14-Nov. 12, 2020, include specific requirements for individuals and work sites, as well as additional requirements for construction sites.
Businesses and individuals must follow these requirements or potentially face legal action and civil penalties. Work sites that do not comply could be identified as a Public Health Nuisance and subject to civil suit, while individuals can be fined up to $2,000 if they do not follow the requirements.
Most businesses are permitted to operate at 50% of total listed occupancy provided that masking, social distancing, and hygiene requirements must be followed.
All businesses must require their employees to wear face coverings (with few exceptions), require social distancing and hygiene standards. In addition, local businesses must create a COVID-19 Health & Safety Plan. The plan, at a minimum, must require that all employees, customers and visitors over the age of 10 wear face coverings on the business’ premises (subject to the exceptions to the Order). Violation of the Order is subject to a criminal penalty.
All Customers Wear Face Coverings Flyer in English and Spanish
2. What resources do you have to assist my business?
The City of Austin has approved $271.6 million in COVID-19 recovery funding. The Economic Development Department (EDD) is accepting applications from small businesses and non-profit organizations facing hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic:
The Austin Small Business Relief Grant will provide eligible small businesses with grants up to $40,000 for expenses incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and/or for purchases to comply with safety requirements. Closes July 24.
The Austin Non-Profit Relief Grant will provide eligible Austin non-profits with grants up to $20,000 for expenses incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Closes July 24.
The Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant is a $1 million fund that will provide grants up to $50,000 to reimburse eligible operating expenses for childcare providers. Closes when funding is expended or October 1, whichever happens first.
Visit www.ATXrecovers.com for more information about the grants, including guidelines, deadlines and eligibility.
3. What do we do tell an employee if they suspect that they have COVID-19 symptoms and/or a member of the employee’s household has symptoms?
Don’t wait, isolate. If the employee is exhibiting symptoms (i.e. cough, fever, sore throat, chills, muscle aches, loss of smell, loss of taste, shortness of breath, vomiting, and/or diarrhea) please, be supportive and have them go home and seek COVID-19 testing.
If they are experiencing severe symptoms (i.e. difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, and/or fever that doesn't respond to medication), have them seek immediate medical attention.
Those with insurance are encouraged to contact their physician’s office or insurer directly for testing referrals and private options.
If a person does not have insurance, please visit www.austintexas.gov/COVID19 and click on the blue box to, “Take A Self-Assessment.” Completion of the online assessment will not guarantee referral to a testing site. Call the APH nurse hotline at 512-972-5560 if you need assistance completing the online assessment. There are also additional free testing services through APH partner CommUnityCare for those without insurance.
What to expect during the City’s COVID-19 test? In the testing lane, the tester will need to confirm your identity again by asking for your name and date of birth. The test you will receive is called a nasal swab. This is a long Q-tip that will be inserted in one of your nostrils. It might be a bit uncomfortable, but it will be over quickly.
What to expect after the City’s COVID-19 test? After your test is done, you will be instructed to exit the test site. You will be contacted as soon as test results are available. Please plan for 7-10 days. Your notification will be sent via e-mail and you can also log into the portal at Covid19.austintexas.gov to see your results.
While you wait for your test results, you should continue to isolate as if you were positive. This prevents you from potentially spreading COVID-19 to other members of the community.
Austin-Travis County has an isolation facility (ISOFAC) set up at a hotel for people who cannot safely self-isolate at home (e.g. tight living quarters with family members). This option is available to patients who have tested positive for COVID-19, as well as people who are under monitoring or investigation for the virus.
4. Where can I go to find more information and/or resources?
Access the latest information for Businesses & Industries and
Download free sharable resources and information in several languages including English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Burmese, Vietnamese and Arabic.
5. Interested in doing business with local government? Visit the websites below to learn more about local government business opportunities.
