Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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Governor’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Dec. 28, 2020: COVID-19 hospitalizations reduce occupancy limits in Brazos County
New restrictions are taking effect in Brazos County and other Brazos Valley counties on Dec. 28, after seven consecutive days of rising COVID-19 hospitalizations. Bars must close, elective surgeries may need to be rescheduled, and many businesses must reduce their occupancy to 50% as outlined in State Executive Orders GA 31 and GA 32
How does this impact Bryan?
- Bars: Any establishment that has more than 51% of gross receipts from the sale of alcohol must close to in-person dining. Drive-through, pickup and delivery options for food and drinks are allowed to the extend provided by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
- Other businesses: Any business establishment that otherwise would have a 75% occupancy limit must operate at up to only 50%.
- Surgeries: Elective surgeries, as defined in Executive Order GA-31, must reschedule unless they “would not deplete any hospital capacity needed to cope with the COVID-19 disaster.”
The following activities/services are NOT impacted by these occupancy changes:
- Religious services
- Local government operations
- Childcare services
- Public or private schools
- Youth camps
- Adult or youth recreational sports
- Drive-in movies, concerts and similar events
- Personal care/beauty establishments with at least six feet of social distancing between work stations
- Services listed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in its Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce.
What changed?
The Executive Order to reopen bars and increase occupancy limits, signed by Governor Greg Abbott in October, contained an important exception. If COVID-19 hospitalizations reached certain levels in local trauma service areas (TSAs), restrictions in those areas would increase once again. Restrictions are triggered when a local TSA has seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients exceeds 15% of total hospital capacity. Bryan is located in TSA N, which includes Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson and Washington Counties. COVID-19 hospitalization rates in TSA N first crossed the 15% mark on Dec. 22. Dec. 28 marked the seventh consecutive day above the 15% threshold in TSA N.
How long will these additional restrictions last?
Restrictions will be eased when TSA N reaches seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of total hospital capacity is below 15%.
More information
- Texas Department of State Health Services – Information on Executive Order GA-32 and its impact on local counties.
- Texas DSHS Hospitalization Dashboard– The “Hospitals – Regional” tab shows daily hospitalization data for Texas Trauma Service Areas (TSAs). Bryan is located in TSA N.
- Executive Order GA-31 relating to hospital capacity during the COVID-19 disaster
- Executive Order GA-32 relating to the continued response of the COVID-19 disaster
Gov. Abbott’s previous executive orders
July 2, 2020: Gov. Abbott issues statewide mask requirements, fines for violations
Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order on Thursday, July 2, 2020, requiring all Texans living in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth while inside a business or other building open to the public, as well as outdoor public spaces, whenever social distancing is not possible. The order is effective as of 12:01 p.m. Friday, July 3, 2020.
The order does have several exceptions including children who are younger than 10 years old, people who have a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask, people who are eating or drinking and people who are exercising outdoors.
First-time offenders of the order will receive a written or verbal warning. Those who violate the order a second time will receive a fine of up to $250. Every subsequent violation is punishable also by a fine of up to $250. The order specifics that no one can get jail time for a violation.
The order also limits certain outdoor gatherings of 10 or more people unless approved by local governments.
June 26, 2020: Bars ordered to close again, restaurants remain open at 50% capacity
Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order limiting certain businesses and services as part of the state’s effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. This decision comes as the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 and the number of hospitalizations have increased and the positivity rate in Texas increased above 10%.
Included in the June 26 order:
- All bars and similar establishments that receive more than 51% of their gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages are required to close at 12 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2020. These businesses may remain open for delivery and take-out, including for alcoholic beverages, as authorized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
- Restaurants may remain open for dine-in service, but at a capacity not to exceed 50% of total listed indoor occupancy, beginning Monday, June 29, 2020.
- Rafting and tubing businesses must close.
- Outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people must be approved by local governments, with certain exceptions.
May 18, 2020
Gov. Greg Abbott announced that child care facilities, massage and personal care services, youth clubs and youth sports may immediately reopen; that restaurants may open with 50% capacity immediately; that bars, bowling alleys, bingo halls, skating rinks, zoos and aquariums may reopen on May 22, 2020 with 25% capacity; that youth camps and professional sports may reopen effective May 31.
- “Open Texas” Checklists: See all the checklists for individual industries, businesses and customers
- GA 23: Related to the expanded opening of Texas in response to the COVID-19 disaster
May 5, 2020
Gov. Greg Abbott modified his executive order, GA-18, on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, pertaining to the process of reopening businesses and the economy in Texas. The governor announced that barber shops, hair salons, nail salons and tanning salons would be allowed to open on Friday, May 8, while gyms and some other businesses would be allowed to open at 25% capacity on May 18.
- “Open Texas” Checklists: See all the checklists for individual industries, businesses and customers
- “GA 21: Related to the expanded reopening of services as part of the safe, strategic plan to Open Texas in response to the COVID-19 disaster
April 27, 2020
Gov. Greg Abbott issued three executive orders, GA-18, GA-19 and GA-20, on April 27, 2020, pertaining to the process of reopening businesses and the economy in Texas. The governor announced that he would be letting his stay-at-home order expire as scheduled at 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2020. The plan for reopening the state will launch in phases with the first phase beginning on May 1, 2020. Phase 1 allows certain businesses to open at 25% capacity.
- GA-18: Relating to the expanded reopening of services as part of the safe, strategic plan to “Open Texas”
- GA-19: Relating to hospital capacity
- GA-20: Relating to expanding travel without restrictions
April 17, 2020
Gov. Greg Abbott issued three executive orders, GA-15, GA-16 and GA-17, on April 17, 2020, pertaining to the process of beginning to reopen businesses and the economy in Texas. The Texas Department of State Health Services also issued guidance for employers, employees and customers of reopened retail services.
- GA-15: Relating to hospital capacity during COVID-19 disaster
- GA-16: Relating to the safe, strategic reopening of select services as the first step to “Open Texas” in response to the COVID-19 disaster
- Retail Guidance: Texas Department of State Health Services guidance regarding reopened retail services
- GA-17: Relating to the establishment of the Governor’s Strike Force to “Open Texas”
March 31, 2020
Gov. Greg Abbott issued executive order GA-14 on March 31, 2020, pertaining to social distancing, minimizing social gatherings and in-person contact, and what classifies as essential services and activities in Texas. This order will run through April 30, 2020.
Mayoral Order Regarding Face Coverings
On June 26, Mayor Andrew Nelson signed an emergency order requiring that all businesses implement a policy requiring face coverings and social distancing protocols inside Bryan businesses. The order will be in effect starting at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30 and will remain in effect until rescinded.
How This Affects You
- This order applies to all commercial entities whether they have public contact or not.
- In all commercial establishments, employees, patrons, and visitors age 10 and older must use all reasonable efforts to comply with the face covering and social distancing protocols.
- In public places, people age 10 and older must use all reasonable efforts to social distance and to wear a face covering where social distancing is difficult.
- An adopted Health and Safety Policy must be posted in a conspicuous location.
Sample Health and Safety Policies and Signage
Exceptions to the Order
- Exercising outside or engaging in physical activity outside.
- Driving alone or with passengers who are part of the same household as the driver.
- When doing so poses a greater mental or physical health, safety, or security risk.
- While operating outdoor equipment.
- While in a building or activity that requires security surveillance or screening such as a bank.
- When eating and drinking
All local orders and declarations issued
- City of Bryan Extension of Local State of Disaster
(Issued March 24, 2020) - Ciudad de Bryan Extensión del estado local de desastre
(Emitido el 24 de marzo de 2020) - City of Bryan Shelter-in-Place Order
(Issued March 23, 2020) - Orden de refugio en el lugar de la ciudad de Bryan
(Emitido el 23 de marzo de 2020) - City of Bryan Disaster Declaration
(Issued March 17, 2020) - Declaración de desastre de la ciudad de Bryan
(Emitido el 17 de marzo de 2020)
Operation Restart
Bryan, College Station and the Brazos County Health District are teaming up to safely, quickly and effectively restart the local economy, without overwhelming local healthcare infrastructure.
Based upon current guidelines provided by federal and state governments for the opening of America and the State of Texas, the Operation Restart Task Force is creating a Pandemic Ready Business Program that will help consumers feel safer and will lower the spread of COVID‐19 by utilizing and communicating the best practices for social distancing within local businesses.
- Brazos County Health District: Everything you need to know about Operation Restart
- Reopening Guidance from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
Small Business Support and Recovery
Amid the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to provide our local small-business owners with a one-stop-shop where you can learn about and apply for federal, state, and local financial support and recovery programs.
City of Bryan Facilities are Open (Updated 11-23-2020)
Most City of Bryan buildings and services are open to the public. Members of the public are still encouraged to continue conducting business with the city remotely, where possible.
- How to conduct business with the City of Bryan remotely
- Bryan + College Station Public Library System begins phased reopening on May 1
- Statement from Mayor Andrew Nelson on April 29, 2020
All visitors to city buildings will be asked to continue practicing social distancing of at least 6 feet and safe hygiene. Additionally, all visitors will be asked to complete a questionnaire before being allowed to access city facilities.
What’s Open?
Municipal Office Building
- The building is open to the public for in-person services, including Development Services.
- The city’s Vital Statistics office is open to in-person visits. Residents can also continue to conduct business online or by phone at 979.209.5007.
- Fiscal Services is accepting in-person payments at this time. Anyone needing to make a payment can also do so over the phone by calling 979.209.5080.
Municipal Court
- The Municipal Court building is open to the public. Anyone with questions before then should call 979.209.5400. Remote payment options remain in effect.
Animal Center
- The Bryan Animal Center is open by appointment only. Please call 979.209.5260 to make an appointment. The animal center is open Tuesday-Friday from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., and Saturday from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. for appointments.
Coulter Airfield
- Coulter Airfield is open.
Police Department
- The Police Department’s lobby is open to the public. This includes records with the exception of fingerprinting.
Public Works
- The Municipal Services Center is open to the public. Residents are encouraged to continue using the Public Works Call Center at 979.209.5900 to report issues.
Parks and Recreation
- The Parks and Recreation offices are open to the public.
- Registration is available online or via phone by calling 979.209.5528.
- The Cemetery office is open to the public.
- The Bryan Aquatic Center is open for lap swimming. | View the new regulations
- Bryan Tennis Center is open.
- Neal Rec Center is open.
What’s Still Closed?
BTU Office
- The BTU lobby will remain closed to the public until further notice. In addition to the 24-hour payment kiosk, BTU’s drive-through remains open for normal business hours.
BTU staff are closely monitoring the situation and will reassess processes as appropriate. BTU would like to assure our customers that we have a detailed plan to continue providing safe and reliable energy throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fire Department
- All fire stations will remain closed to the public until further notice.
Parks and Recreation
- Pavilions are not being rented at this time.
Events and Programs
The City of Bryan provides a number of programs, activities and events to members of the community. If programs or events are canceled, they will be listed here.
Current cancellations are as follows:
To assist us in ensuring our programs are safe for everyone, we ask that anyone who has been sick refrain from participating in our programs and events. City staff reserve the right to ask anyone who could place others at risk of becoming ill to leave at any time.
Child Care Facilities
Texas Health and Human Services is providing updated guidance to the almost 17,000 regulated child care operations throughout the state – including new screening requirements for staff and visitors – as the agency continues to closely monitor the evolving novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Community Assistance
Here are some options if you’re in need of advice or assistance during this uncertain time period.
Call 2-1-1 for questions about COVID-19
2-1-1 Texas has trained professionals available to answer your questions about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and local relief efforts. Call 2-1-1 and select option No. 6.
Brazos Valley Council of Governments
The Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG) has several pieces of information on the coronavirus (COVID-19), including information for employers about unemployment insurance related to the pandemic.
CDC Guidance on Wearing Masks in Public
The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, like grocery stores and pharmacies, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
The cloth face coverings recommended are NOT SURGICAL MASKS OR N-95 RESPIRATORS. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
The CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measures.
Health Resources
The City of Bryan is following the guidance of health professionals, including the CDC, Texas Health & Human Services, Brazos County Health Department and other appropriate agencies, in regards to the coronavirus.
For information about COVID-19, including steps to prevent illness, symptoms and what to do if you are sick, please visit:
