Dear Members of the University Community—
Effective immediately, masks are no longer required in indoor spaces on any of our three campuses (Durham, Manchester, Concord). Throughout the pandemic we have based our policies on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Their mask guidance based on community levels puts our campuses’ counties at yellow or medium activity, which means masks are no longer required in most indoor settings. Masks are still required in health care facilities, including Health & Wellness, as part of regular PPE in labs, on public transportation including Wildcat Transit, and for individuals who were recently in isolation or quarantine and need to mask for 10 days.
As we follow this recent CDC change in public health guidance, we continue to be vigilant with our ongoing testing, wastewater sampling, elevated airflow in buildings and the availability of outdoor tents in the next few weeks. We are grateful for the high levels of vaccination in our community and encourage all to remain up to date with vaccinations.
We recognize this change will be met with varying reactions in our community; we encourage people to exercise personal choice and to do what feels right for them. If you are immunocompromised, at high risk for severe disease, have young children or others in your home who cannot be vaccinated or are uncomfortable with the change in mask requirements, please review CDC’s recommendations for individuals. And for everyone, some reminders:
- Be respectful. Community members may still choose to wear a mask for various reasons. If someone asks you to wear a mask—including in the classroom—say yes if at all possible.
- Stay home from work or class if you’re sick. If you have symptoms, make an appointment at Health & Wellness or go to the COVID Testing Site at the New England Center for a rapid test.
- Continue testing. No changes have been made to testing requirements. Check your Wildcat Pass.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our COVID policies and the safety and well-being of your fellow Wildcats.
James W. Dean, Jr.
President
Wayne Jones
Provost
