Austin health officials weigh new CDC mask guidance, moving community to safer Stage 2 Austin Public Health officials on Tuesday said they are trying to figure out how to apply the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's new mask guidelines, just as they are preparing to loosen coronavirus pandemic restrictions. The CDC's updated guidelines include new rules that say Americans who are fully vaccinated can unmask while walking, running, hiking or biking outdoors alone or with members of their household. Fully vaccinated people also don’t need to wear a mask during small outdoor gatherings with fully vaccinated family and friends, or at gatherings with a mixture of vaccinated and unvaccinated people, the CDC said.