Austin implements Stage 4 COVID-19 protocols, urges masks for all - The Texas Tribune
Public health officials in Austin and Travis County are now encouraging vaccinated people to wear masks both indoors and outdoors, and for those unvaccinated to stay at home except for essential needs — the first major city in Texas to take such a step.Under Stage 4, officials want residents — vaccinated and unvaccinated — to wear masks at all times in public, and for unvaccinated people to only leave their homes for essential trips.
Just eight days ago, city and county officials raised protocols to Stage 3, urging unvaccinated people to avoid nonessential travel and wear masks when they leave their homes.The announcement comes as the seven-day average of virus hospitalizations in Travis jumped from 63 people on July 4 to 202 on Friday, marking a 203% increase.