Austin Mayor Bans Gatherings of More Than 250 People Due to Coronavirus Concerns

What had started out as a recommendation to mitigate the spread of novel coronavirus is now a full-on ban: Austin Mayor Steve Adler is banning all city-area events with more than 250 attendees as of yesterday, Saturday, March 14. The ban will last from Sunday, March 15, through Friday, May 1, in Austin-Travis County and applies to both public and private events.

This ban applies to many large Austin restaurants and bars, as well as upcoming events that were meant to help ease the cancellation of South by Southwest (which would’ve been happening right now). The ban implements the social distancing method in order to lessen the spread of the novel coronavirus (aka COVID-19), requiring people to avoid contact with others.

As a result, Banger’s is reducing its capacity to 250 people and spaced out its tables by six feet (the recommended distance to avoid the spread of COVID-19). As of now, it’s still planning on hosting its SXSW-related music events.

Likewise, Lucy’s Fried Chicken had to cancel its SXSW-adjacent music festival, South by South Austin Fried Chicken Revival, as well. Cosmic Coffee & Beer canceled its SXSW-adjacent Sun Radio Sessions, as well as its St. Patrick Day party and forthcoming crawfish boil. Both establishments will remain open for business though.

Skull Mechanix went even further and limited its capacity to 75 people.

The Mohawk is canceling all concerts through Sunday, March 22, and is postponing shows from Monday, March 23, through Saturday, March 28. In the meantime, the concert venue’s bar will remain open for service.

• Organizers Urged to Cancel Events and Restaurants Mandated to Boost Sanitation to Help Prevent Spread of COVID-19 [Austin Public Health]
• Gatherings of 250+ People Banned to Help Tackle COVID-19 [Austin Public Health]