Gatherings of over 10 banned in county, some exceptions made

Community gatherings of 10 people or more are now prohibited in Hays County after County Judge Ruben Becerra issued the order this afternoon. The prohibition is effective as of Wednesday, March 18 at 2 a.m. and lasts until May 14.

This does not impact restaurants, bars and retail establishments among other exceptions.

Community gathering is defined as “any indoor or outdoor event or convening” that is “likely to bring together 10 or more persons at the same time in a single room or other single confined or enclosed space.,” according to the order posted by Hays County. This includes auditoriums, theatres, stadiums, arenas, events centers, meeting halls, conference centers or any other confined space. It includes weddings, religious gatherings, parties, funerals, sporting events, social events, conferences and other large gatherings. An outdoor community gathering is only for outdoor spaces confined by a physical barrier.

While this does not impact bars, restaurants or retail establishments, “the Hays County Local Health Department strongly recommends that owners and managers of those businesses disallow public access to areas where members of the public who did not arrive to that location together cannot be kept more than six feet apart and strongly recommends that owners and managers of those businesses implement plans and arrangements that will assist patrons in maintaining social distancing.”

The order also does not impact mass transit, office space or residential buildings, grocery stores, shopping malls or other retail establishments, restaurants, bars, hospitals, medical offices, essential governmental functions, schools and institutions of higher learning.

The order can be enforced with a fine of up to $500 for each violation.