Message from the Office of the President: University mask mandate is lifted for those vaccinated

Dear students, faculty, and staff,

Following new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance yesterday, Governor Tim Walz has ended Minnesota’s statewide face covering requirement starting today. And as we have done repeatedly during the past 14 months, we will follow the guidance of Governor Walz, and state and federal public health officials.

Here is what you can expect on University campuses and other worksites:

• If you are fully vaccinated, no masks are required in any University building, venue, or outdoors (except as posted, such as in health clinics). The definition of fully vaccinated is two weeks following the second Pfizer or Moderna dose or two weeks after the single Johnson and Johnson dose. We have lifted the University’s face covering mandate for vaccinated individuals starting today. If you voluntarily wish to wear a mask, you are absolutely able to do so. 
• If you are not fully vaccinated, the Governor’s Order acknowledges the associated risk of getting and spreading COVID-19, and the University expects you to wear a mask indoors. I also ask all members of our community to support anyone who chooses to wear a mask, noting that there could be many reasons one might do so.  
• If you are working in leased facilities, local mask ordinances may apply.
• If you can continue to work from home, we encourage you to do so until our planned return to campuses on August 2. Details on return to work are in progress and we will provide updates as they emerge. 
• Building capacity limits and physical distancing requirements will remain in place until May 28 based on the Governor’s announcement from last week. At the University, that will include all of our spaces, including entertainment venues, classrooms, research laboratories, and all other buildings. We will provide an update on capacity and physical distancing requirements once the Governor relaxes these measures.   
• Please continue to take important public health precautions. Despite increases in vaccination rates and the slowing pace of COVID-19 infections in Minnesota, the pandemic continues. Please continue to be cautious and stay home if you are sick.
• If you are not yet vaccinated, there are vaccination sites all over Minnesota and many are allowing walk-ins without appointments.  Doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are readily available. You each have contributed to keeping our University community safe for more than a year. This final step is critical for keeping all of our communities safe.

Thank you for all you do amidst these frequent changes. Our collective attention to health and safety precautions throughout the year has been tremendous and we are where we are because of that attention. Thank you for keeping us healthy, safe, and well.

With warmest regards,
Joan Gabel