Austin ISD to end mask mandate March 7

On March 2, Austin ISD officials announced students will no longer be required to wear masks starting March 7.

Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said the district will not require indoor masking in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, which states that students do not have to wear masks in areas of low or medium transmission for COVID-19.

"We learned that masks work, along with our layered protocols," Elizalde said. "These layered protocols effectively got us through delta and omicron, and for that, and our entire community, we are eternally grateful."

Elizalde said Travis County is considered in the low category as of the March 2 meeting, and COVID-19 positivity rates among Austin ISD staff and students were .007% for the week.

The announcement comes after the district released a survey asking community members to weigh in on masking requirements. The survey showed that about 50% of respondents wanted the mask mandate to be lifted.

Elizalde said the survey results were used to inform district staff and the board, but did not direct the vote.

The announcement came during a special called board meeting. The discussion took place during two hours of closed session, which included Austin Public Health Authority Dessmar Walkes.

On March 1, APH moved into Stage 3 COVID-19, meaning low-risk, fully-vaccinated individuals will no longer have to wear masks. However, Walkes asked Austin-area residents to continue masking until spring break and South by Southwest end.