More authoritarianism from the liberal utopia in Austin. They justify it by citing to Omicron's transmissibility. I guess it's lost on Mayor Adler that new studies have shown the mRNA vaccines have zero effect on transmission.
https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2022/01/13/austin-travis-county-businesses-required-show-covid-vaccine-testing-mask-requirements/9188499002/
Austin and Travis County businesses must publicly declare what measures they are taking to try to slow the spread of COVID-19 under new orders from Mayor Steve Adler and County Judge Andy Brown.
Beginning at noon Monday, all Travis County businesses are to post a sign stating whether they require customers and employees to wear a face covering, and whether customers and employees are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The businesses also must say whether they are requiring employees to receive the coronavirus vaccine.
Standing executive orders issued by Gov. Greg Abbott prohibit local governments from forcing businesses to require masks, or requiring customers to show proof of vaccination or of a negative test. The local orders don't make businesses do these things but do require that they tell the public whether they are doing them.
The orders were released the same day the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden's plan to require that most U.S. workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing.
Asked if he thinks the local measures are on firm legal ground, Adler said: "I think so. It doesn't require any particular protective measure."
The orders also require businesses to post a sign prepared by local public health officials that lists the county's recommendations to wear a mask and to be vaccinated.
"It's no more onerous than any of the other orders we've entered over a two-year period of time," Adler said.
The deadline to post the signs falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday.
The Greater Austin Chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association said that its industry guidelines and standards are in line "with the objectives in the latest Austin order, although of course restaurants must comply with state laws that prevent mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, and many cannot obtain COVID-19 tests right now."
The orders come as the area is being pummeled by new cases from the omicron variant of the coronavirus Earlier this month, Austin and Travis County moved into Stage 5, which is the most serious stage of the local public health authority's risk-based COVID-19 guidelines.
The orders apply to any business where goods or services are provided directly to the public. It does not apply to property maintained by a governmental entity or a dwelling unit where an individual resides.
Violations for not posting the signs can lead to a fine of up to $1,000.
The orders caused confusion upon their release Thursday, as the city and county were at odds over what they actually meant and whether all businesses, or just some of them, were required to post the notices.
The orders were released by Austin Public Health around 9 a.m. A nearly 800-word news release that said nothing about the signage requirement.
Later in the morning, Travis County said that only businesses requiring any combination of masking, vaccinations or test results would be required to post a notice saying which measures they require and which measures they don't. The county held that any business that does not require these things would not have to post the notice.
Austin Public Health, in an email, also indicated the orders applied only to businesses that opted into safety measures.
Travis County spokesman Hector Nieto later backtracked, saying that, after consulting with County Attorney Delia Garza's office, the county believed the orders applied to all businesses.
Adler then spoke with the American-Statesman. He confirmed the orders applied to all businesses.
"I don't think it's been confusing at any point," he said. "I think the language is pretty clear."
Adler said the orders are meant to make businesses aware of the tools they have to protect employees and customers from the virus. He said they are not meant to shame businesses that do not impose certain requirements, but he said the notices will help the public decide whether to enter a particular business.
"We have an extremely contagious virus that is causing infectivity levels higher than anything we've seen before resulting in a lot of cases and workers not being able to work," he said.
The orders were originally to be released Wednesday, but were delayed because a graphics team had not yet completed the two notices, Adler said.
The order came with a copy of the notice that businesses can print and post at every entry. It includes four questions with yes and no boxes next to each one.
https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2022/01/13/austin-travis-county-businesses-required-show-covid-vaccine-testing-mask-requirements/9188499002/
Austin and Travis County businesses must publicly declare what measures they are taking to try to slow the spread of COVID-19 under new orders from Mayor Steve Adler and County Judge Andy Brown.
Beginning at noon Monday, all Travis County businesses are to post a sign stating whether they require customers and employees to wear a face covering, and whether customers and employees are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The businesses also must say whether they are requiring employees to receive the coronavirus vaccine.
Standing executive orders issued by Gov. Greg Abbott prohibit local governments from forcing businesses to require masks, or requiring customers to show proof of vaccination or of a negative test. The local orders don't make businesses do these things but do require that they tell the public whether they are doing them.
The orders were released the same day the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden's plan to require that most U.S. workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing.
Asked if he thinks the local measures are on firm legal ground, Adler said: "I think so. It doesn't require any particular protective measure."
The orders also require businesses to post a sign prepared by local public health officials that lists the county's recommendations to wear a mask and to be vaccinated.
"It's no more onerous than any of the other orders we've entered over a two-year period of time," Adler said.
The deadline to post the signs falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday.
The Greater Austin Chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association said that its industry guidelines and standards are in line "with the objectives in the latest Austin order, although of course restaurants must comply with state laws that prevent mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, and many cannot obtain COVID-19 tests right now."
The orders come as the area is being pummeled by new cases from the omicron variant of the coronavirus Earlier this month, Austin and Travis County moved into Stage 5, which is the most serious stage of the local public health authority's risk-based COVID-19 guidelines.
The orders apply to any business where goods or services are provided directly to the public. It does not apply to property maintained by a governmental entity or a dwelling unit where an individual resides.
Violations for not posting the signs can lead to a fine of up to $1,000.
The orders caused confusion upon their release Thursday, as the city and county were at odds over what they actually meant and whether all businesses, or just some of them, were required to post the notices.
The orders were released by Austin Public Health around 9 a.m. A nearly 800-word news release that said nothing about the signage requirement.
Later in the morning, Travis County said that only businesses requiring any combination of masking, vaccinations or test results would be required to post a notice saying which measures they require and which measures they don't. The county held that any business that does not require these things would not have to post the notice.
Austin Public Health, in an email, also indicated the orders applied only to businesses that opted into safety measures.
Travis County spokesman Hector Nieto later backtracked, saying that, after consulting with County Attorney Delia Garza's office, the county believed the orders applied to all businesses.
Adler then spoke with the American-Statesman. He confirmed the orders applied to all businesses.
"I don't think it's been confusing at any point," he said. "I think the language is pretty clear."
Adler said the orders are meant to make businesses aware of the tools they have to protect employees and customers from the virus. He said they are not meant to shame businesses that do not impose certain requirements, but he said the notices will help the public decide whether to enter a particular business.
"We have an extremely contagious virus that is causing infectivity levels higher than anything we've seen before resulting in a lot of cases and workers not being able to work," he said.
The orders were originally to be released Wednesday, but were delayed because a graphics team had not yet completed the two notices, Adler said.
The order came with a copy of the notice that businesses can print and post at every entry. It includes four questions with yes and no boxes next to each one.
