Austin, Texas -- Beginning on Thursday, Dec. 31 at 10:30 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 3 at 6 a.m., dine-in food and beverage service will be restricted by City and County order from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. 

Venues serving food and drink may still operate between 10:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. using drive-thru, curbside pick-up, take-out, or delivery service. This change applies to any venue serving food or drink from an onsite kitchen, food truck, or catering service. Between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., venues are permitted to continue dine-in operations.

You can view the City and the County orders on the COVID-19 Orders and Rules page.

“The situation is critical,” said Dr. Mark Escott, Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “We are asking the public to stay home as much as possible and not gather with people outside their households for New Year's Eve. We are asking people to only go out to restaurants for take away, delivery, or drive through services.  We are now experiencing uncontrolled widespread community transmission of COVID-19, particularly in circumstances where masking and distancing are not possible, making bars and similar establishments extremely concerning over this holiday weekend.” 

These new orders only apply to businesses that serve food or drink. All other businesses may operate as outlined in other COVID-19 Orders and Rules. Individuals who see a business operating with dine-in service past 10:30 p.m. between Dec. 31 and Jan. 3 should report the violation to Austin 3-1-1. 

A violation of this Order is a violation of Austin City Code Section 2-6-24 and a criminal offense. A violation of this Order may be punishable through criminal enforcement, except as limited by state order. A criminal violation of this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000, but not by confinement.

For more information about COVID-19, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.