City of Georgetown Texas > Coronavirus Information > COVID-19 FAQ

COVID-19 FAQ

If you have a question not listed here, please email pio@georgetown.org. Given this evolving and growing situation, it may take more than 24 hours to respond.

How many cases of COVID-19 are in Georgetown?

The Williamson County and Cities Health District is monitoring and reporting confirmed cases for Williamson County. For the latest counts, please visit bit.ly/2Unlryu.If you have questions about testing, please call 2-1-1.

When and how can I be tested for COVID-19?

The Williamson County and Cities Health District is hosting a COVID-19 testing site in the parking lot north of the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth Street. Appointments are required.

Rapid/Same Day PCR test (https://curative.com/sites/33338)

PRC test (https://curative.com/sites/9041#9/30.637/-97.6807)

Is there a shortage of COVID-19 test kits or testing facilities?

WCCHD has not expressed a need for additional kits and new testing facilities are opening up. For a list of testing facilities, visit wcchd.org. Remember, you must first speak to a doctor to get referred to a testing center.

Are Georgetown residents required to wear masks when in public?

Effective Wednesday, March 10, all COVID-19-related restrictions on businesses and the statewide mask mandate were lifted per Executive Order GA-34 executed by Gov. Greg Abbott. Additionally, Executive Order 36, signed May 18, 2021, prohibits government entities from mandating masks.

A number of social distancing measures were put in place by the City over the last year, and we will continue to utilize most of them for the safety of employees and the public. However, as of May 17, 2021, visitors to City facilities are encouraged, but no longer required, to wear face coverings.

In line with CDC guidelines, all City staff, contractors, and volunteers will be required to maintain social distance when inside City facilities and interacting with City staff.

Can the City require staff and patrons/visitors/customers to wear a mask in City facilities?

No. Executive Order 36, signed May 18, 2021, prohibits government entities from mandating masks for any person.

Private businesses may still require patrons and staff to wear masks.

Why is the library not completely open?

The library staff and volunteers are excited to welcome people back into the building for grab-and-go service, which means you are welcome to come in and walk through the shelves to find material to check out or pick upholds. Our Library has many volunteers that help us have the services that everyone has come to love, and we’re doing what we think is most appropriate to keep the public, our volunteers, and the staff safe. By having a hybrid of services including curbside and grab and go, we can serve those who have health concerns while offering hours for visitors to come into the building, as well.

If emergency services need to come to my home, how will they know my particular household situation?

A Smart911 profile is a great way to allow police and fires department first responders to understand what they may encounter if they need to respond to an emergency involving you or your home. This includes information that helps first responders make better decisions during COVID-19 operations.

Info can include:

Medications you take
Name of pets in the home
Name of family members
Address and other information about your home
Critical medical conditions

Get a profile today or update your existing profile at smart911.com.

What is the City doing to respond to COVID-19?

City leaders and staff coordinate daily with one another, as well as with local, regional, and state partners, to monitor and share updates about COVID-19. We are taking steps to ensure our staff remain safe while we continue to provide City services.

The following is a timeline of steps taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and to comply with various orders issued at the County and State levels:

2020

March 13 – City programs, activities, events canceled through March 31 due to Coronavirus concerns
March 14 – City issues local disaster declaration
March 16 – City closes library, parks and recreation, and Visitor’s Center facilities in response to COVID-19
March 18 – Coronavirus update: GoGeo hours, Animal Shelter, trash services, library, municipal court, and local orders
March 18 – COVID-19 Update: Confirmed cases in Williamson County, gatherings limited to 10 or fewer; Restaurants, bars common area closed, all Georgetown public facilities closed
March 19 – City Council extends local disaster declaration
March 25 – City closes Parks and Recreation amenities in response to Williamson County Stay-Home Order
April 2 – City closes Blue Hole Park to enforce physical distancing orders
April 3 – Georgetown Chamber and City of Georgetown partner to establish COVID-19 Small Business Resource Grant
April 8 – City closes parks and trails for Easter Weekend
April 20 – Red Poppy Festival goes virtual
April 30 – Library, some parks facilities open with limited service May 1
May 14 – City facilities opening Monday, May 18
May 28 – Additional City facilities, programs opening June 1
June 11 – Downtown Parking Ambassadors return to service
June 24 – July 4 celebration canceled due to COVID-19 concerns
June 25 – Blue Hole closure
June 29 – Georgetown businesses to require face coverings for employees and customers
July 3 –Georgetown updates mask order to require face coverings in public
Aug. 7 – City provides funding to help people affected by COVID-19 pay residential utility bills
Aug. 19: Last day of free COVID-19 testing in Georgetown on Aug. 20
Aug. 26: Expanded outdoor seating, retail service areas coming to downtown
Sept. 9: Free COVID-19 testing in Georgetown Sept. 12-15
Oct. 1: Free COVID-19 testing in Georgetown in October
Oct. 8: Second free COVID-19 testing site in Georgetown opens Oct. 9
Oct. 27: Georgetown issues order about outdoor gatherings, special events
Nov. 12: Public Library moves to curbside service only Nov. 13
Dec. 4: Round up your utility bill to help neighbors in need

You can view the press releases associated with these events (as well as others) here.

What is the City doing to protect our older residents and ensure they have access to food and other essentials?

The City is in regular contact with our social services partners as well as the Williamson County and Cities Health District, Williamson County officials, and appropriate State agencies including the Governor’s office. We are all working to ensure all our residents continue to receive the critical and essential services these agencies provide.

We are very fortunate to have great community partners in Georgetown. From our school district, to our local grocery stores, to our non-profit organizations, there has been an all-hands-on-deck approach to managing this unprecedented event.

For example, the Caring Place is providing food distribution on Tuesdays and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon in its drive through. Walk ups can use the north gate. For more information, visit their website caringplacetx.org. For more resources, the City has created a community resources page here.

What is the City doing to keep employees and the public safe?

In accordance with CDC guidelines, visitors to City facilities, as well as City of Georgetown staff, volunteers, and contractors will be encouraged to wear a mask, particularly when social distancing is not possible and when member(s) of the public are wearing one. Visitors to City facilities will not be required to wear a mask, per City Council direction, and staff cannot be required to wear masks, per Gov. Abbott’s orders.

Our focus remains on protecting our customers and staff while providing the highest level of customer service.

Let’s all keep doing our part to protect each other and help stop the spread of COVID-19:

Wear a mask
Practice social distancing
Wash your hands

What if I can’t pay my utility bills?

Since many customers may be facing unusual financial hardships as a result of COVID-19, we are temporarily suspending disconnections for nonpayment. In addition, we are relaxing our usual timelines for payment arrangements. We know this is a difficult time, and we are committed to serving you and our community. If you are having trouble paying your bill click here for our customer assistance programs or contact Customer Care at (512) 930-3640 to learn more about our . We are committed to working with you during this difficult time.

What if I can't pay my rent; will I be evicted?

Click here for information regarding Texas Supreme Court rulings on evictions.

Are parks and trails closed?

The City is gradually reopening parks and recreation facilities in accordance with the governor’s orders and CDC guidelines. For a full list, visit the Parks and Recreation website at parks.georgetown.org.

How is the City able to guarantee continued delivery of essential services like water and electricity as the number of COVID-19 patients increase?

Service continuity and restoration are our top priorities. We are taking steps to ensure our staff remains safe, including enforcing physical distancing among both staff and the public and disinfecting equipment and surfaces. Additionally, our staffing plans include the use of not only our employees, but also contractors and mutual aid assistance from neighboring utilities.

Is the City of Georgetown water safe?

Yes. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, America’s drinking water supplies remain a safe and affordable way to access the water needed for drinking, cooking, and maintaining personal hygiene during the COVID-19 outbreak.

You should continue to use and drink water from your tap as usual, as COVID-19 is not present in drinking water supplies. The City of Georgetown uses disinfection processes that provide protection effective in removing and/or inactivating viruses.

Even as the City closes public facilities, we will continue our water treatment processes to provide safe and reliable water.

How will this impact my trash and recycling services?

Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) continues to operate normally. The transfer station located on Walden Drive remains open to the public. TDS staff are collecting landfill trash, recycling, brushy, and bulky on normal schedules with the following changes:

In order to reduce employees’ potential exposure to bacteria, please bag all landfill trash and to keep recycled materials loose.
If you, or someone in your household is sick with flu-like symptoms or those similar to Covid-19, please bag and place all discarded materials into landfill trash. Do not recycle until everyone in the household has recovered.