The surveillance testing and wastewater test results from this week indicate a low presence of COVID in our campus community at this time. As planned, masks will no longer be required in most indoor spaces effective tomorrow, Saturday, March 26.
Please make note of the following important points:
- Masks will still be required in the following scenarios:
- For anyone visiting the Counseling, Health and Wellness Center for any reason.
- Within the on-campus testing center. Masks are required inside the testing center room, but not in other parts of the building.
- Within days 6-10 after you leave isolation if you test positive for COVID at any point.
- Any time you are experiencing symptoms that could be COVID, – you should seek a test and self-isolate until you receive the results – when it may be required due to close contact with COVID, or in accordance with quarantine and isolation requirements.
- On OPT buses until public transportation guidelines change.
- Masks are welcome on campus and masking indoors is still encouraged. Free masks are still available to students and employees.
- KN95, surgical and cloth masks are available at the HuB in the Hunt Union and at the main desk in Milne Library. Offices and departments can put in a work order to request a supply of surgical or KN95 masks.
- While masks are often worn to help protect those around you, they can help protect yourself as well – especially by wearing a KN95 or N95 mask/respirator, which offer the best personal protection.
- It is important to respect others’ individual choice whether to wear a mask.
- See the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of the COVID-19 webpage for details about why the mandate was discontinued but masks are still encouraged, and why some people may continue to mask.
- Please have a mask with you while you're on campus.
- If you are meeting in a one-on-one setting and the other person requests that you wear a mask, please respect that request and continue to act with kindness and care toward your fellow Red Dragons.
- This shift in our mask guidance does not change policies on surveillance testing, vaccination/boosting, requirement to report positive cases, and quarantine/isolation.
- Please continue to follow all instructions in emails you get about testing requirements or submitting booster information. See the "Testing Procedures," “Vaccination & Booster Policy” and “Quarantine & Isolation” sections of the COVID-19 webpage for related information.
The CRT will continue to monitor the presence of COVID on campus and make any necessary adjustments in health and safety guidance as public health conditions or state/federal regulations warrant.
This progress forward is due in large part to the strong commitment students, faculty and staff have demonstrated to doing what is necessary to keep one another safe. Thank you for your help in getting us to this point.
