City operations in Austin closed or working on modified schedules

AUSTIN, Texas - Beginning today (3/16), not all city operations in Austin will be running as normal. Some public services will be suspended until at least March 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Services that will be shut down include:

All library branches will be closed
All non-essential Municipal Court dockets will be rescheduled
Austin Animal Center will be closed to the public
All pools, golf courses, athletic programs, recreation centers, and cultural centers will be closed.

Officials say that camps and spring break activities will happen today (3/16) through Wednesday (3/18) and then be suspended following completion of activities on Wednesday.

RELATED: CoronavirusNOW.com, FOX launches national hub for COVID-19 news and updates

Meal services for seniors and kids are expected to continue.

Officials say the measures are aimed at helping maintain the health and safety of city employees and the community at large.

The moves just a week after Mayor Steve Adler had encouraged people to go out in Austin to help support local businesses. With the rapidly changing situation, and more presumed cases in the area, the mayor has changed his stance.

Mayor Adler joined FOX 7 Austin's Casey Claiborne to discuss the coronavirus situation in the city.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler speaks on “social distancing”

The mayor joined FOX 7 Austin to talk "social distancing" a day after the City of Austin released critical advice for people in Austin-Travis County who are aware they have had contact with an individual with COVID-19.

As for testing, Baylor Scott & White has opened a drive-through coronavirus testing location in North Austin. Patients must first answer an online questionnaire to qualify and if they meet certain requirements they're then able to drive through to take the test.

Drive thru coronavirus testing at Baylor Scott & White in North Austin

All this comes as local officials announced that the presumptive positive cases in Austin-Travis County now stands at six and that number is expected to grow.

Officials continue to urge people to do the following:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.\
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue to cover it, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

For the latest from the City of Austin on the coronavirus and an updated number of cases you can go here.

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