Austin Chamber Of Commerce - Blog: Austin Now In Stage 3 Of COVID-19 Guidelines

Press release from the Austin Chamber of Commerce - Blog:

03/03/2022

On Tuesday March 1, Austin Public Health moved Austin into Stage 3 of its COVID-19 Risk Based Guidelines. Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority, made the announcement during her regular briefing to a joint meeting of the Travis County Commissioner’s Court and Austin City Council.

Doing all they can to safely navigate the pandemic, this drop to Stage 3 will likely prompt many businesses to consider transitioning back to in-office work. Austin Public Health continues to emphasize the importance of caution ahead of Spring Festival Season where thousands of people will travel to and through Austin-Travis County in the coming weeks for events and spring break. With these unique circumstances in mind, Dr. Walkes continues to recommend that Austinites wear masks indoors, especially when social distancing is not possible.

Highlights:

• All trends around COVID-19 continue to improve for the Austin area. Moving to Stage 3 comes less than two weeks after Austin Public Health lowered to Stage 4 from Stage 5, the highest level of COVID-19 risk.
• Austin Public Health is also working to align its guidance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC announced updates Friday, Feb. 25 to their masking guidance.
• Austin Public Health continues to emphasize the importance of caution ahead of Spring Festival Season where thousands of people will travel to and through Austin-Travis County in the coming weeks for events and spring break.

Stage 3 Guidance from Austin Public Health:

• Individuals who are up to date (fully vaccinated with a booster): Masks are recommended for everyone during indoor gatherings and travel. Those who are at high-riskare recommended to wear masks also while dining and shopping.
• Partially or unvaccinated individuals and those who need a booster dose: Take precautions and wear masks for all activities in Stages 1 through 5.
• Austin Public Health still recommends indoor masking in spaces where social distancing is not possible regardless of vaccination status including in businesses.
• Businesses are still required to post signage related to the Mayor and Judge’s orders from January in Stage 3. More information about the required signage can be found here.

This press release was produced by the Austin Chamber of Commerce - Blog. The views expressed here are the author’s own.