Every morning, we send you a free email packed with Austin news, business, and entertainment. Join 20,000+ readers who wake up to Austonia's newsletter.
Featured
austonia newsletter
Most viewed
At least 11 Austin businesses require masks as local COVID case counts and related hospitalizations continue to spike upward. (Blue Starlite/Instagram)
Some Austin businesses are reinstating mask mandates after local health officials announced a shift to Stage 4 on Friday.
At this stage, all residents—including those who are vaccinated—are encouraged to wear masks while indoors and unvaccinated individuals are asked to avoid nonessential trips, according to Austin Public Health's risk-based guidelines. These recommendations are unenforceable, however, after Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order in May prohibiting local government entities from issuing mask mandates.
But a handful of local businesses—including restaurants, retail establishments, universities and churches—have heeded local officials' recommendations by reinstating their own mandates, citing the Delta variant and breakthrough cases as reasons for the policy change.
Waterloo Records in downtown Austin and the Blue Starlite drive-in theater, which has three area locations, were among the earliest adopters, announcing new masking requirements on July 15, more than a week before local health officials announced the shift to Stage 4.
Unfortunately, with Covid infections rising in Austin, even some of the fully vaccinated getting infected, the uncertainty of the delta variant, and with Austin now in stage 3 on a collision course with stage 4 restrictions, we are going back to requiring masks at all times.
— Waterloo Records (@WaterlooRecords) July 15, 2021
Attention patrons,
— Blue Starlite (@UrbanDrivein) July 15, 2021
Due to the rising risk of the DELTA variant, and out of an abundance of caution, we will once again be enforcing a mask policy for all employees and guests. Thank you very much for your continued support of our little drive-in. https://t.co/Y8FAzHAWQY
BookPeople, in downtown Austin, soon followed suit.
Dear Readers,
— BookPeople (@BookPeople) July 21, 2021
In order to keep our community safe from rising covid-19 cases in Austin we are now requiring masks from all employees, customers and vendors inside our store.
Thank you for understating and we hope to see y'all soon! pic.twitter.com/x0qXdJjxDy
Starting Monday, St. Edward's University in South Austin will require masks in indoor campus spaces.
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
Retail establishments, including Method Hair in East Austin and Dragon's Lair Comics & Fantasy in North Austin, also joined in, citing the recent move to Stage 4.
Effective immediately, Dragon's Lair Austin is requiring masks for all guests and employees. No current changes to events at this time, but please stay tuned to social media for updates. If you have any questions about event changes, please email atxevents@dlair.net pic.twitter.com/rmjKYPzYm4
— Dragon's Lair Austin (@DLairAustin) July 23, 2021
At least a few restaurants, which have been especially hard hit during the pandemic, have reinstated masking requirements, including Justine's Brasserie in East Austin.
"This was not an easy decision (we're tired on masks, too), but breakthrough Covid cases are real and growing," the restaurant wrote in a Saturday Instagram post. "We wish we could follow France's lead and ask diners, particularly those opting for the (still limited) indoor seating, for proof of inoculation. Abbott, however, has made it illegal for us to do so."
Joe's Bakery in East Austin and Quack's 43rd Street Bakery and Hyde Park are asking patrons to mask up.
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Northwest Austin held its worship services outside on Sunday, with socially distanced seating and masks required for all attendees, regardless of vaccination status.
Other businesses have taken the Stage 4 announcement to reiterate their existing masking requirements.
REMINDER: Masks are required on board ALL #CapMetro services regardless of vaccination status.
— Capital Metro (@CapMetroATX) July 23, 2021
If you do not have a mask, disposable masks are available on board--just ask the operator.
Let's keep each other safe out there! #MaskUpATXpic.twitter.com/5wQihjwQyr
Although the aforementioned businesses have reissued mask mandates, they appear to be in the minority, with most letting customers decide whether to mask up—at least for now. These include major retailers like H-E-B, which made masks optional for fully vaccinated customers on June 9, citing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Everything you need to know about breakthrough cases in Austin ... ›
- Austin reenters stage 4, in which residents asked to mask up ... ›
- 10 iconic Austin businesses that have closed due to COVID-19 (and ... ›
- Austin businesses have a mixed response to CDC mask guidance ... ›
- Some Austin businesses will keep masks despite Abbott's order ... ›
- Austin falls into highest risk COVID-19 category, CDC urges to mask up - austonia ›
- Adler requests proof of vaccination be required of city employees - austonia ›
- Austin restaurants that are reverting back to masking - austonia ›
- UT, ACC students issued mask mandate from city of Austin - austonia ›
Popular
Tito's Handmade Vodka
Show your love for Tito's and for the community this year with a wide selection of not that ugly, uglyish, ugly, uglier, and ugliest holiday sweaters.
There's lots choose from, and plenty of accessories like scarves and socks, plus gear for your dog, too.
All of the items can be purchased online or at the Love, Tito’s Retail Store in Austin, TX. 100% of all net proceeds from online or in-store purchases go to one of the nonprofits we’ve teamed up with.
Click here to see the entire collection in the Tito's store.
🗓 All weekend
Check out this highly anticipated art exhibition with illuminated art along Waller Creek. Tickets are free and the event includes food vendors, dazzling lights, live music, and hands-on activities
All weekend 6 p.m - 10 p.m | 📍Waterloo Park
This iconic holiday tradition lights up for the first time this holiday season starting this weekend! Reserve your spot for an enchanting light and sound performance, delicious hot cocoa, sweet treats, and some overall fun with your friends or family. The show runs till January 6th.
6 p.m and 9 p.m | 📍Mozart's Coffee Roasters - 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
🗓 Saturday
This fitness event is free and open to the public. Get your morning started right with a "Fitness in the park" class for kickboxing! The class will be led by certified instructors and is a great way to get a cardio workout in while also honing your self-defense skills.
10 a.m - 11 a.m | 📍 Metz Park
Support local LBGTQ+ and female artists at this outdoor market with over 150 vendors. Get your holiday shopping out of the way at this event, with vendors for food trucks, handmade goods, raffles, hands on workshops and activities, and more.
Did someone say cheese?! If you're like me and always willing to get your hands on a bowl of mac and cheese, then this event is for you. Check out the Mac and Cheese festival happening this weekend to decide which vendor has. the best mac and cheese for yourself, and enjoy the bar with creative cocktails while you're at it. Tickets start at $45.
11 a.m - 3 p.m | 📍Lantana Place - 7415 Southwest Parkway
