AUSTIN (KXAN) — Central Texas universities are preparing to welcome back students from spring break, asking those who traveled to take the necessary precautions to protect their peers from transmitting COVID-19.
With the downward trend of hospitalizations and active cases in Austin-Travis County, Austin Public Health would like to make sure it stays that way. On Friday, health leaders advised anybody who went on vacations where “masking and social distancing weren’t adhered to,” they should quarantine and test.
“We’re still in Stage 3, but we’re concerned with spring break,” Dr. Mark Escott, APH interim health authority said. “For those individuals who traveled for Spring Break, who engaged in activities where social distancing and masking weren’t adhered to, it’s important for them to quarantine themselves next week.”
The University of Texas sent out a message to students recommending they get tested 1-3 days before their trip and then again 3-5 days after they return. Students are also being asked to self-quarantine for a full seven days after travel. The time limit is extended to 10 days if they do not get tested.
University of Texas Junior Ramtin Mahmoudkhani said surprisingly, most of his peers stayed in Austin for the week. He said students have become a lot more “COVID conscious.”
“There is now a big difference here among the students,” Mahmoudkhani said. “I don’t know many people that actually went and traveled via plane or anything. And if they did travel, I know they traveled via road trips, and with small groups.”
UT is warning students against that, too, asking those who road tripped to wear a mask in the car and ride with the windows down. UT also incentivized students to stay local instead of taking a traditional vacation, offering “Spring Break on the 40 Acres,” with live performances and free food scheduled daily.
At Texas State University, faculty, staff and students are also being strongly encouraged to get tested during the week following spring break.
School officials said classes will not alter from the online or in-person modality determined at the beginning of the semester, but said that faculty will have the discretion to switch to a fully-virtual format for the week following spring break if they feel it will not negatively impact student success.
St. Edward’s University officials, based on feedback from students, eliminated the traditional spring break week altogether, opting instead for three “wellness days” dispersed throughout the semester. This allows the semester to end on time on May 3.
“With the majority of students on campus or in the Austin region, it is critical that we do not create a large super-spreading event following the return of spring break,” a St. Edwards University spokesperson said.
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