St. Edward's University Will Require Face Masks

Austin TX

23 July, 2021

5:18 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — St. Edward's University will enforce a mask mandate on its campus as coronavirus cases skyrocket in Austin-Travis County. The mask mandate will go into effect Monday until further notice and will apply to all students, faculty, community members and visitors regardless of vaccination status, the university announced in a tweet on Friday. With Austin's move to Stage 4, the university is requiring face coverings in campus indoor spaces to protect our community. This is effective on Monday, July 26th and applies to all community members and visitors regardless of vaccination status. Stay safe, Hilltoppers!— SEU Campus Safety (@SEUSafety) July 23, 2021 "With Austin's move to Stage 4, the university is requiring face coverings in campus indoor spaces to protect our community," the tweet said. The decision comes hours after Austin-Travis County leaders announced it would move into stage 4 of its COVID-19 risk-based guidelines as cases and hospitalizations continue to rise. MORE ON THAT STORY: Austin Moves To Stage 4 Of COVID-19 Risk Guidance Under stage 4, health officials recommend vaccinated people wear masks at private indoor and outdoor gatherings, while traveling and while dining and shopping. Those who are unvaccinated, are recommended to avoid private indoor and outdoor gatherings, travel only if it's essential (with masks) and to dine and shop only if it's essential (with masks). According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, about 62 percent of Travis County's eligible population are fully vaccinated. About 782,155 people have received at least one dose of the vaccine. In Texas, about 52 percent of the state's eligible population are fully vaccinated. With cases on the rise statewide, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday he wouldn't impose another statewide mask mandate. He reiterated cities, counties and public school districts are not allowed to require people to wear masks in compliance to his executive order in May. Since the university is private, it is able to side-step Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order. RELATED COVERAGE: WilCo Reaches 'Uncontrolled Community Spread' Of COVID-19 4 Died In Williamson County During Winter Storm: Texas DSHS 28 Died In Travis County During Winter Storm: Texas DSHS