Austin City Officials Order Restaurants and Bars to Close and Limits Gatherings to 10 People or Less

No more dining out or bar hopping in Austin until the Coronavirus pandemic has passed.

On Tuesday, Austin Mayor Steve Adler officially ordered Austin-based restaurants and bars to stop in-person service.

Restaurants can still offer food for take-out and delivery and drive-through service is still available at this time.

“As we maintain physical distance from one another, we must work more closely together than we ever have before,” Adler said during a noontime press conference broadcast online.

Austin has issued an order prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people until May 1st. The order went into effect at noon on Tuesday. This includes indoor and outdoor weddings, funerals, religious services, sports activities and other gatherings.

A violation is subject to a $1,000 fine and up to 180 days in jail.

The latest precautions are being taken to help halt the spread of the Coronavirus, Adler said.

“Public health and safety are the number one priority,” Adler said.

The order does not apply to grocery stores or pharmacies or warehouses or critical infrastructure and airports.