After closing for a month at the beginning of the pandemic, the Great Outdoors nursery reopened with strict safety measures that required employees and customers to wear masks. Now, after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Austin Public Health have eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, Great Outdoors has ended its COVID-19 protocols. "As soon as CDC made the announcement, masks were changed to optional," said Elizabeth Lane, Great Outdoors floor manager. "Employees who are two weeks past their second vaccination can wear a mask if they want to, but they don't have to. Customers can decide too."