This information is not intended to provide legal advice, nor be the authority on COVID-19 updates, and we cannot guarantee real-time updates on every matter. We provide this information as a courtesy for you to use in conjunction with your due diligence.
Industry Operations
The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in adjustments to municipal operations throughout our region. The HBA staff is closely monitoring how cities and utilities are responding in our 7-county service area. We are urging all jurisdictions to find a way to continue core business functions and are recommending best practices to help with workarounds as necessary.
Recent Updates
Travis County Approves New Order with Implications for the Construction Industry; Goes into Effect August 14 (8.5.20)
Read
COA Announces New Orders (7.14.20)
Read
Critical Need to Adhere to Safety Standards at the Job Site
During these challenging times, there will be much scrutiny of home builders and trade professionals.
In order to ensure the home building industry maintains its exemption from Shelter in Place Orders.
Safety Information and Sample Documents
- Job site Safety Videos
- Sample Safety Protocols Document from HBA Member Cumby Construction Download
- Sample Response Plan from the Construction Industry Safety Coalition:
- COVID-19 Exposure Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan for Construction Download
- NAHB Construction Guidance Documents (updated 4.26)
- Resources in English
- Stand Down Event Toolkit Download
- Construction Worker Transit Letter Template Download
- CISC Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan for Construction 2.0 (4.27.20)
- CISC Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan for Construction (3.25.20)
- COVID-19 Jobsite Checklist and Toolbox Talk
- Template Letter: Essential Industry Employee Notification
- Template Letter: Employee Notification of Potential Exposure
- Jobsite safety poster
- Jobsite safety poster (Large – 11×17)
- Resources in Spanish
- Stand Down Event Toolkit Download
- CISC Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan for Construction (Spanish)
- COVID-19 Jobsite Checklist and Toolbox Talk (Spanish)
- Template Letter: Essential Industry Employee Notification (Spanish)
- Template Letter: Employee Notification of Potential Exposure (Spanish)
- Jobsite safety poster (Spanish)
- Jobsite safety poster (Large – 11×17 – Spanish)
- Resources in English
- Austin Public Health Documents
- Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Financial Information
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
- How to Obtain an SBA Loan and Have it Forgiven
- Emergency Loans Guide and Checklist Download
- FAQs for Those Seeking Small Business Loans Under New Stimulus Law Read
- CARES PPP – Payroll Protection Program
-
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application Read
- COVID-19 Guidance & Loan Resources Read
- Internal Revenue Service
- Federal Housing Administration
- Policy Updates Related to COVID-19 (4.2.20) Download
- Policy Updates Related to COVID-19 (4.2.20) Download
- Senate Approves $2.2 Trillion Economic Stimulus Package Read (3.26.20)
- CARES Act 2020: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was approved by Congress and signed into law by the President Read (March 18.20)
- Treasury Defers Tax Payments, Waives Interest and Penalties for 90 Days (March 17.20)
- Fed Cuts Interest Rates to Zero (March 15. 20)
City and County Updates
The Google document links below contain the latest information from our service area. Please check back frequently for changes. If you choose to make comments on the Google doc you MUST include where you found that information (e.g, citation, authority, link, website, etc,).
Click here for Cities Stay at Home Orders and other COVID-19 related ordinances
Click Here for Opening Updates by City and County
Click here for Construction Industry FAQ
Austin
(For Governor’s Order See ‘State’ below)
- Face Masks Now Required for Austin-Travis County Businesses (6.23.20) Read
- COA Announces New Orders (7.14.20) Read
-
Stay Home, Mask, and Otherwise Be Safe Order (6.23.20) Read
-
Stay Home – Work Safe Orders
- Stay Home – Work Safe Order (5.8.20) Read
- Stay Home – Work Safe Order (4.14.20) Read
- Supplemental Guidance for the Construction Industry (4.2.20) Read
- Supplemental Guidance for the Construction Industry (3.30.20) Read
- Guidance for the Construction Industry (3.24.20) Read
- Stay Home – Work Safe Order (3.24.20) Read
- Contact The Austin City Council and Travis County Commissioners Court Read
- Development Services Department (DSD)
-
- Supplemental Guidance for the Construction Industry (3.30.20) Read
- Request for Designation as an Essential Construction Activity (3.30.20) Read
- Administrative Process for Approving an Essential Construction Activity (3.30.20) Read
- Letter to Customers, Stakeholders and Community (3.26.20) Read
- Letter to Customers, Stakeholders and Community (3.24.20) Read
- Development Services Department Website
- Austin Public Health
- Hygiene Flyer Download
- Construction Jobsite Guidelines Poster – English Download
- Face covering Poster – English Download
- Construction Safety Guidelines – Spanish Download
- Face Covering Guidelines – Spanish Download
- Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Bastrop County
- Digital Submission Memo (3.31.20) Read
- Bastrop County Official Stay Home – Work Safe Ordinance (3.31.30) Read
Burnet County
- Burnet County Official Shelter in Place Ordinance (3.25.20) Read
- Burnet County Web Site
Hays County
- Hays County Update (6.18.20) Read
- Hays County Official Shelter in Place Ordinance (3.25.20) Read
- Hays County Web Site
Travis County
- Face Masks Now Required for Austin-Travis County Businesses (6.23.20) Read
- Gathering of Individuals Order (6.25.20) Read
- Governor Orders Residential Construction as Essential Business (3.31.20; Effective 4.2.20) Read
- FAQ (3.31.20 ) Read
- Stay Home – Work Safe Orders
- Travis County Web Site
Williamson County
- Williamson County Shelter in Place Ordinance (3.24.20) Read
- Williamson County Web Site
Regulatory Updates
National
- Center for Disease Control (CDC)
- Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
- Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19
- Homemade Cloth Face Coverings How To
- CARE: Check and Recovery Everyday Download
- 15 Days to Slow the Spread (3.16.20)
- CDC Prepares Communities
- Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communities Read
- Cases in Texas
- Cases in the U.S.
- Web Site
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- DHS Designates Residential Construction as “Essential Infrastructure Business” (3.28.20)
- CISA Memorandum 3.0 on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers Version During COVID-19 Response (4.17.20) Read
- CISA Advisory Memorandum 2.0 on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response (3.28.20) Read
- CISA Advisory Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response (3.19.20) Read
- DHS Designates Residential Construction as “Essential Infrastructure Business” (3.28.20)
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Department of Labor (DOL)
- U.S. Department of Labor Issues Alert to Help Keep Construction Workers Safe During the Coronavirus Pandemic (4.21.20)
- DOL Issues Final Rule Implementing Employer Obligations Under New Family Leave Law (4.1.20)
- U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Guidance for New Family Leave Law (3.24.30)
- Businesses with under 500 employees MUST POST this notice Download
- FAQ Read
- COVID-19 Web Page
- Internal Revenue Service
- Federal Housing Administration
- Policy Updates Related to COVID-19 (4.2.20) Download
- National League of Cities
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Protecting Workers During a Pandemic Fact Sheet Download
- Coronavirus Could Affect OSHA Compliance on Home Building Sites (3.17.20)
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
- FAQs for Those Seeking Small Business Loans Under New Stimulus Law
- CARES PPP – Payroll Protection Program Read
- Apply for an SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan
- Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
- World Health Organization (WHO)
State
- Governor Establishes Statewide Face Covering Requirement, Issues Proclamation To Limit Gatherings (7.2.20) Read
- Governor Announces Closures Due to COVID Spike (6.25.20) Read
- Governor Announces Temporary Pause Of Additional Reopening Phases (6.25.20) Read
- Governor Establishes Statewide Face Covering Requirement, Issues Proclamation To Limit Gatherings Read
- Governor Abbott Announces Temporary Pause Of Additional Reopening Phases (6.25.20) Read
- Governor Abbott Announces Closures Due to COVID Spike (6.25.20) Read
- Governor Announces Phase III To Open Texas (6.3.20) Read
- Governor’s Executive Orders Relating to Expanded List of Covered Services (5.26.20) Read
- Governor’s Executive Order Relating to In-person Visitation at County and Municipal Jails (5.22.20) Read
- Governor’s Executive Order Relating to the Termination of Air Travel Restrictions (5.21.20) Read
- Governor’s Report to Open Texas – Phase One (4.27.20) Read
- Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order To Expand Openings Of Certain Businesses and Activities (5.6.20) Read
- Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order To Expand Openings Of Certain Businesses and Activities (5.5.20)
- Governor Issues Executive Order Relating To The Expanded Reopening Of Services (4.28.20, Effective 5.1.20)
- Governor Issues Orders GA-16 to Strategically Reopen Select Services to Open Texas in Response to the COVID-19 Disaster (4.17.20, Effective 4.24.20) Read
- Governor Issues Orders GA-15 to Strategically Reopen Select Services to Open Texas in Response to the COVID-19 Disaster (4.17.20, Effective 4.21.20) Read
- Governor Abbott Temporarily Suspends Certain Statutes To Allow For Appearance Before Notary Public Via Videoconference (4.9.20) Read
- Governor Orders Residential Construction as Essential Business (3.31.20; Effective 4.2.20) Read
- Governor Issues Executive Order Mandating 14-Day Quarantine For Travelers Arriving From New York Tri-State Area, New Orleans (3.26.20)
- President Donald J. Trump Approves Texas Disaster Declaration (3.25.20)
- Governor Abbott Issues Executive Orders In Accordance With Federal Guidelines To Mitigate Spread Of COVID-19 In Texas (3.19.20)
- Letter to Governor Abbott from Texas Construction Industry (3.19.20) Read
- Texas Department of Health and Human Services
- Other Resources
- Call 2-1-1 for Health, food, housing, and other assistance
- Call 7-1-1 for Relay Service
- Price gouging or disaster scams should call the Office of the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint line at (800) 621-0508 or file a complaint online.
HBA Updates
Effective May 18, HBA Staff will be back in the office following state safety measures.
All Council and Committee meetings continue to take place virtually until further notice.
All other events are rescheduled or cancelled until further notice.
We will continue to monitor the situation and send updates regarding future events.
Resources
- 3,000+ Association’s Letter to Congress Requesting 501(c)(6) Financial Assistance Read
- HBA Letters Regarding DHS CISA Memorandum 2.0 Regarding Essential Critical Infrastructure, Specifically Designating Residential Construction (3.31.20)
- Form Letter Template and Email Addresses to Contact Your Elected Officials Read/Download
- Letter from HBA & Local Industry Associations to Travis County and City of Austin (3.25.20) Read
- Letter from the HBA to County and City Leaders (3.22.20) Read
- Webinar: “Rights and Realities of Business Owners, Employers, Landlords and Tenants During Corona Virus 2020″(3.25.20)
- Resources for Reopening Your Business (5.14.20)
HBA Email Updates
- 5.13.20 – AG Responds to COA and Travis County Orders
- 4.30.20 – Safety Still #1, NAHB Updates Safety Guidelines, Wonders & Worries
- 4.28.20 – HBA Serves on Task Force, More PPP Funding, Gov. Open Texas Report
- 4.27.20 – NAHB Webinar, DOL Safety Alert, NAHB Updates Safety Guidelines
- 4.21.20 – Safety Remains Paramount to Keep Austin Building
- 4.14.20 – Updated Stay Home – Work Safe Information
- 4.13.20 – Implementing Safety Practices, NAHB Job Site Stand Down April 16
- 4.9.20 – AGC Stand Down Today; NAHB Next Week
- 4.8.20 – National COVID Safety Stand Down Planned for Tomorrow!
- 4.7.20 – Breaking News: New Jobsite Safety Requirements Announced
- 4.6.20 – Letter to Congress, Construction Industry FAQ, NAHB Webinars
- 4.3.20 – Updated Guidance to the Construction Industry
- 4.2.20 – Always Safety First!
- 4.1.20 – Breaking News: Legal Opinion on Governor’s March 31st Order
- 3.31.20 Update – Breaking News: Governor Issues Executive Order Designating CISA 2.0 List Including Residential Construction, HBA Letters to City, County and State Officials, Bastrop Update
- 3.31.20 Update – Updated HBA Advocacy Work, CARES PPP, Travis & Bastrop Counties
- 3.30.30 #2 Update – Travis County, COA and Development Services Department, Impact Survey
- 3.30.20 Update – DHS CISA Recommendations, Pflugerville Inspection Protocols, Jobsite Safety
- 3.26.20 Update – President Approves TX Disaster Declaration, Hays and Burnet County Stay Orders, Safety Standards at Jobsite, Biz under 500 Must Post this Poster
- 3.25.20 Update – Help Ensure Your Workers Can Get to the Jobsite, Letter Template
- 3.25.20 Update – What Does Shelter-in-Place Mean for the Home Building Industry?
- 3.24.20 Update – COA, Travis and Williamson County Shelter-in-Place Orders
- 3.23.20 Update – Social Distance Ordinances, Webinar
- 3.20.20 Update – City and County Updates, SPAM Emails, NAHB COVID-19 Impact Survey, American Red Cross Needs
- 3.17.20 Update – Cancellations, City and County Updates, Webinar
- 3.16.20 Update – HBA Office updates and Helpful Links
News Coverage
- Construction sites one of top hot spots for coronavirus – CBS Austin
- Home builders being challenged to make jobs sites safer during coronavirus pandemic – CBS Austin
- Telemundo Newscast Reports on Construction Industry Safety Measures in Action – Telemundo
- Residential work sites across Austin to pause work April 16 to review coronavirus safety protocols – Community Impact
- Coronavirus likely to dampen demand for new homes in Austin — that could actually be a bit of good thing – Austin Business Journal
- UT study: Construction activity can raise coronavirus risks for workers, community – Austin American Statesman
- Mayor Adler warns hospitalizations could increase if construction workers don’t practice social distancing – KVUE Austin
- Coronavirus in Austin: Construction crews back at job sites as work ban lifted (4.3.20) – Austin American Statesman
- Builders believe Abbott’s new coronavirus order will let some construction resume (4.1.20) – Austin Business Journal
- UPDATE: Abbott executive order deems residential construction as an “essential service” across the state (4.2.20) – Community Impact
- Builders believe Abbott’s new coronavirus order will let some construction resume (4.1.20)- Austin Business Journal
- Central Texas homebuilders adjust to coronavirus (3.31.20) – Austin American Statesman
- Top business, development groups call for Austin, Travis County to reverse construction shutdown (3.26.20) – Austin Business Journal
- Austin comes down hard against most construction during coronavirus shelter-in-place order (3.25.20) – Austin Business Journal
- Coronavirus in Austin: Builders push back against construction ban (3.25.20) – Austin American Statesman
- Homebuilders ‘blindsided’ by Austin’s order to halt construction (3.25.20) – Austin Business Journal
- Coronavirus outbreak stinging Austin-area homebuilders (3.24.20) – Austin American Statesman
- Coronavirus in Austin: Unclear what stay-at-home order means for building sector (3.24.30) – Austin American Statesman
TAB
- TAB Summary of Governor’s Executive Order Read
- Building Trades Coalition Letter to Governor Abbott (3.24.20) Read Texas
- Business Roundtable Letter to Governor Abbott (3.23.20) Read
- Texas Association of Builders Resource: How the Coronavirus is Affecting Texas
- TAB Coronavirus Resource Web Page
NAHB
- Job Site Safety Stand Down Resources
- Member Webinar: COVID-19 Update for Your Workplace Register
- Letter from 90 Organizations Urge DHS to Designate Residential Construction “Essential” Read
- Construction Industry Safety Coalition Recommendations: COVID-19 Exposure Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan for Construction Download
- Job Site Safety and Recordkeeping Guidance for Coronavirus
- NAHB COVID-19 Web Page
Other Helpful Links & Information
- Construction Worker Transit Letter Template Download
- Coronavirus phishing emails: How to protect against COVID-19 scams
- HomeAid Seeking Donations of Masks and Goggles
