City facilities remain closed to public until March 1

The City of San Marcos announced its public facilities will remain closed through February, citing rising COVID-19 cases in Hays County and the city. 

The city’s public facilities have been closed since Dec. 28, 2020 and were originally shuttered to prevent the spread of the coronavirus following the Christmas holiday. The city, however, extended the closure through the end January, following the spike of COVID-19 throughout the city and the county after the holiday break and in January. 

The city said in its announcement Thursday that facilities will reopen to the public on Monday, March 1, pending a revaluation of the timeline in February. 

Facilities impacted by the continued closure includes all of the building located in the City Hall complex, as well as the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter, activity center, municipal court, public library, Grant Haris building, San Marcos Tourist Information Center, Discovery Center and utility building counters at the city’s municipal building and San Marcos Electric Utility office.

The Hays County Local Health Department has tallied 4,276 total cases between Dec. 31-Jan 28. January has been the deadliest month in Hays County amid the COVID-19 pandemic with 59 fatalities tallied. Over 100 county residents have been hospitalized by the coronavirus this month. 

The rise in hospitalizations in Hays County contributed to additional coronavirus-related restrictions as the hospital capacity in Trauma Service Area O was at or above 15% for seven consecutive days in early January. Restrictions in TSA O, which encompases Hays, Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Lee, Llano, Travis and Williamson counties, went into effect on Jan. 11. These restrictions — outlined in Gov. Greg Abbott’s Executive Orders GA-31 and GA-32 — roll back business occupancy to 50% from 75%, closes bars and elective surgeries may have to be rescheduled. 

The added COVID-19-restrictions will lessen when area hospital capacity is below 15% for seven consecutive days. 

As the city’s facilities remain closed through February, the City of San Marcos says staff will remain available to aid residents by phone, email, curbside services and utility billing drive through during normal business hours. 

The city’s parks and natural areas will continue to be open to the public and patrons. The city is asking those who visit its parks and natural areas to practice social distancing and to wear a mask when around those who are not a member of their household. 

The city stated in its announcement that its Parks and Recreation department will have virtual and socially distanced events, including 50-plus Parking Lot Bingo, Wander Through Winter, Tales on the Trails, Valentine kit pick up and 50-plus Cupid’s Curbside Treats for Seniors. 

According to the city, the animal shelter will handle business by curbside. Services conducted curbside include adoptions, fosters and intake and reclaim for lost pets. Adoption appointments can be scheduled at animaladoptions@sanmarcostx.gov or at 512-805-2657. Additionally, lost and found pet appointments will be coordinated through Waitwhile — https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/animalreclaim.

The city said emergency animal services are still available by calling the animal shelter at 512-805-2655 during normal business hours and through the San Marcos Police Department’s non-emergency line — 512-753-2108 —after normal business hours. 

 The San Marcos Public Library will continue to conduct curbside services Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and on Sundays between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Items may be placed on hold at www.sanmarcostx.gov/library, by email at smpl@sanmarcostx.gov or by phone 512-393-8200. The library’s lobby and computer lab will remain closed but Wi-Fi services will be available in the parking lot for the public. 

City utility customers can ask questions or make payments arrangements by emailing utility_billing@sanmarcostx.gov, phone at 512-393-8383 or online at https://connect.sanmarcostx.gov/. Services can be accessed through the utility drive-thrus at the Municipal Building at 630 E. Hopkins or at the San Marcos Electric Utility office located at 1040 Hwy 123 between 9 a.m. and 4 pm., Monday through Friday. 

This story has been updated since first publication.