Hays County Bans Outdoor Gatherings of More Than 100 in Unincorporated Areas

Hays County on Friday expanded an order it issued just days ago to include a ban on outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people in unincorporated parts of the county.

Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra’s original order went into effect on June 22 and required residents to wear masks or face coverings in public.

“This amendment to Order #4 is one additional way we can help slow the spread of the virus,” Becerra said. “Large gatherings provide an opportunity for COVID-19, which is highly contagious, to be rapidly transmitted to many others within a short timeframe.

“I’m asking all Hays County residents to do to their part to protect the most vulnerable in our community,” he said.

The judge asked all residents to limit trips/travel/outings, wash hands frequently, and stay at least six feet apart from others.

As of Friday, June 26, there are 2,415 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hays County.

Hays County shares a border with northeastern Comal County. Guadalupe County is to the southeast of Comal County and includes part of New Braunfels.

Texas House Rep. Erin Zwiener, who represents Hays County in the legislature, said Hays County is a national COVID-19 hotspot — the 22nd-worst county nationwide, for recent cases per capita.

“Please, please take this seriously,” she said in a Facebook post about Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order today. “If we all take action now … we can slow this back down but it’ll take two weeks for us to see the results.”