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After temporarily closing the center to protect its patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, Austin’s Shopko Optical is now open to patients for all eye care and eyewear needs by appointment only. Shopko Optical has consistently reviewed and evaluated guidance from the CDC and the AOA, as well as various federal, state, and local authorities, and will reopen its centers in an environment that protects its staff, doctors, patients, and the community it serves.

Shopko Optical staff will take the temperatures of patients and staff before they enter the center with touchless thermometers. In addition, the center will limit the patient schedule to reduce the number of people in the office at any given time. To ensure proper social distancing, patients will be asked to arrive to appointments alone, and staff and patients will allow six feet of distance between them whenever possible.

Masks will be worn by Shopko Optical staff and patients are asked to arrive with a face covering of their own. The Shopko Optical team will continue to diligently and routinely clean and disinfect the facility, including eye care equipment and instrumentation, eyeglass frames, and all other common surfaces.

“The decisions to close and reopen locations have been made carefully with the health and wellbeing of our patients and staff as our first priority,” said Russ Steinhorst, Shopko Optical CEO. “After thorough consideration, the reopening of Austin’s center is the right choice for our patients in need of vision care.”

In addition to these procedures, Shopko Optical is also offering curb-side pick up of glasses and contacts. Patients may also request to have their eyewear mailed to their home.

If patients are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, such as a fever, cough, or respiratory symptoms, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, they will be asked to reschedule their appointment for a later date.