Austin Community College and St. Edward’s University have updated health and safety protocols following the city of Austin’s recent drop to Stage 2 COVID-19 risk-based guidelines.

Beginning March 21, ACC will apply changes to health and safety protocols. According to the college, some updated protocols include:
  • Optional use of face masks;
  • ACC’s Appian health screening app is no longer required but will remain available to campus visitors; and
  • Access to activities and events that are hosted by ACC on campuses and centers will expand, but access will be restricted for outside groups.
“A lot has changed in our region. Case numbers are down. Austin-Travis County is now in Stage 2 guidelines,” ACC Chancellor Richard Rhodes said in a press release.

So far, ACC has not had any reported COVID-19 transmission cases on campuses or in centers, according to the press release. The college will continue to host vaccination clinics and encourage everyone to get vaccinated if eligible, although COVID-19 vaccinations are not required for anyone on campus. Visit www.austincc.edu/coronavirus for more information and updates on ACC’s health and safety protocols.

St. Edward’s University officials updated changes to the university’s health and safety protocols on March 4. According to the university, changes include:
  • As of March 7, the use of face masks is optional for everyone on campus;
  • Indoor events returned to prepandemic capacities and outdoor events with more than 40 people are allowed; and
  • Outside guests are allowed in residential housing.
Some continued protocols at St. Edward's University include:
  • Vaccine documentation (unless approval of exemption) for everyone. Booster vaccine documentation is not required.
  • The university’s daily TopperSafe screening will continue throughout the semester for everyone, including campus visitors.
  • Asymptomatic testing is required weekly through May for everyone who does not have full vaccination documentation, including campus visitors.
Visit www.stedwards.edu/healthy-hilltop for more information and updates on St. Edward’s University's health and safety protocols.

There are no updated health and safety protocols for The University of Texas at this time. Vaccinations and regular COVID-19 testing are still encouraged by the university. Visit www.protect.utexas.edu for more information and updates on UT’s health and safety protocols.