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AUSTIN (KXAN) – As per Level 4 COVID-19 guidelines, Austin Public Health strongly encourages everyone to wear a mask, even if they are already vaccinated.
Austin, Travis County is transitioning to Level 4 of the COVID-19 Risk-Based Levels
It’s not a mandate and won’t be enforced, but the city hopes people and businesses will act to slow the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant.
“Our business community has always stood by us and helped us get these things done. Again we ask everyone to put on a mask, ”said Dr. Desmar Walkes of the Austin-Travis County Health Department during a news conference on Friday.
The Texas Bar and Nightclub Alliance told KXAN that it won’t necessarily make masking recommendations to its members, as the group says it has always advocated that adults and business owners should be able to do what they believe is in their best interests.
Notwithstanding these new guidelines from APH, the Alliance expects that most of its members will maintain their current mask guidelines.
What the Level 4 guidelines mean for vaccinated individuals
Another local gym told KXAN that they have socially distanced and disinfected and will continue to do so, but they also do not need masks.
Others are slowly moving towards more masks.
“I’ve definitely lost some family members to COVID this year – four even – and so it definitely comes home at home,” said Michael Zuniga, co-owner of Shag Salon.
As with many Austin businesses, masks are optional at Shag for those who are fully vaccinated. But just a few weeks after this policy was announced, Zuniga is reconsidering as COVID-19 cases rise and public health officials urge everyone to mask.
“We are preparing to require masks for everyone who enters the salon – both our employees and our customers,” he said.
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The soup vendor in front of North Lamar has already closed its dining area in the past few days.
“We had it reopened in here so people could sit here for a couple of weeks. And yes, it was short-lived, ”said employee Hannah Williford.
She said the owners suggest masks but still don’t need them for workers or customers.
“We recently received an email about the latest reports and inquiries from [Mayor Steve] Adler, they are starting to bring them back in, ”said Williford.
Zuniga says it’s much more difficult to enforce masks without a government mandate to help businesses, but he and his husband, also co-owners, believe that following the guidance will help ensure others don’t lose loved ones to the pandemic .
“We want to make sure that those who have not had this experience do not. We don’t want to contribute, ”he said.
“Just in case they have it”: Austin’s top doctor demands the wearing of a mask for everyone, regardless of vaccination status
Zuniga said they are reviewing their guidelines and setting a date for when masks will be required. You plan to post the new rules on social media and send appointment confirmation emails to customers. He said they will also have masks at the front desk in case customers forget them.
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