City programs, activities, events canceled through March 31 due to Coronavirus concerns

Update: For the latest information on the City’s response to Coronavirus, go to the City of Georgetown Coronavirus (COVID-19) site.

The City of Georgetown is canceling all City programs, activities, and events scheduled March 14 through March 31, following guidelines from the Williamson County and Cities Health District. These cancelations are because of concerns about recent cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the region and as part of the national effort to slow and delay the spread of the illness, so we can reduce the peak number of people who are affected at a given time.

A decision regarding the Red Poppy Festival on April 24-26 has not been made, and no City facilities are closing at this time. The City will continue to follow WCCHD guidance and to coordinate with public health officials regarding the festival and other large gatherings, as well as the need to close facilities.

Additional updates about the Coronavirus and cancelations will be shared as they become available on our website at georgetown.org/coronavirus-information.

Georgetown Public Library

All events and programs, public and private, at the Georgetown Public Library are canceled starting March 14 through March 31. The library will remain open to the public.

All WOW!mobile stops and outreach events are canceled through April 3, and Sun City stops are canceled through April 19. Items on hold can be picked up at the library’s circulation desk. The WOW!mobile schedule of stops will be kept updated with information about bookmobile services as decisions are made.

The library is not accepting new reservations for its meeting spaces through April 30, 2020.

Parks and Recreation Department

All camps, class, programs, and activities offered by and at the Parks and Recreation Department facilities through March 31 are canceled, and full refunds are available. This includes all spring break camps, group exercise classes, sport practices and games, and lifeguard training. The March 17 Rescue at the Ranch event also is cancelled.

All organized sport activities at rental fields, including the McMaster, VFW, and San Gabriel fields, also are canceled.

Parks and Recreation Department locations will remain open to the public, with the exception of the splash pad at Garey Park.

Private events held at Parks and Recreation facilities will not be required to cancel at this time, but people have the option to reschedule at no additional cost or receive a full refund.

Other events

At this time, all regularly scheduled City Council and Board and Commissions meetings will proceed as planned.

The March 26 open house about the Austin Avenues Bridges project has been postponed.

Local COVID-19 information

As of March 13, 2020, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgetown or Williamson County.

The City is in daily communication with public health, city, and county officials across the region. We are sharing information with residents from the Williamson County and Cities Health District, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the disease and how to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

DSHS recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to seek medical care.

The CDC has issued guidelines and quarantine recommendations for travelers returning from countries with elevated risk of coronavirus.

Additionally, the City is preparing to implement a continuity of operations plan if such steps are needed to protect public health and has increased its efforts to clean and disinfect public surfaces. The company that provides the City’s janitorial services is using hospital-grade disinfectant and is cleaning frequently touched areas more often. The City also has instructed each department to make hand sanitizers available in common areas and for front-line employees.