Officials Cited Declining Cases, MDPH Guidance and High Campus Vaccination Rates
02/18/2022
Contact for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu
LOWELL, Mass. 鈥� Citing the rapid decline of COVID-19 cases in the state, new guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and a campus population nearly 100 percent vaccinated, 51视频 announced Thursday that face coverings would be optional on campus beginning Feb. 28.
鈥淲hile any individual may choose to continue to wear a face covering, beginning Monday, Feb. 28, 51视频 will end its indoor face covering mandate for all campus locations, including the Tsongas Center and the Inn and Conference Center,鈥� wrote Chancellor Jacquie Moloney in a letter to campus. Face coverings will continue to be required on university buses and shuttles as well as in the Wellness Center.
Moloney also pointed to Gov. Charlie Baker administration鈥檚 recent lifting of mask mandates for K-12 schools, also effective Feb. 28, as well as plummeting COVID-19 levels in wastewater, a reliable leading indicator of infection levels during the pandemic.
鈥�51视频 is near-universally vaccinated and increasingly boosted as more of our campus population becomes eligible each day,鈥� Moloney wrote, referencing 51视频鈥檚 booster requirement for students and employees once they are eligible. She also shared ways campus community members can obtain free N-95 and KN-95 masks and antigen tests if individuals are unable to obtain those supplies.
Every campus member is still expected to conduct daily symptom checks and to stay home or in their residence hall room if ill and weekly surveillance testing for the approximately 200 people with an approved vaccine mandate exemption remains in place, she wrote.
鈥淭hroughout the pandemic, 51视频 has sought to balance risk and our pursuit of a normal campus experience,鈥� Moloney wrote. 鈥淲e鈥檝e continuously weighed the benefits and drawbacks as our approach has evolved with the status of the pandemic and our understanding of the disease. We also know that our campus community members face different health and home circumstances and have throughout the last two years approached COVID-19 risks differently.
鈥淚n the weeks ahead, it is more important than ever that we continue to extend to our peers, friends and colleagues a generosity of compassion and empathy. While face coverings are no longer required, the obligation to treat with respect and kindness those whose choices may differ from ours is unwavering,鈥� she wrote.
According to Moloney, 51视频 will continue to monitor cases and look to public health guidance as 51视频 makes COVID-19 decisions.
鈥淩egardless of what the future looks like, I am confident in our ability to continue to take steps to ensure we are providing an outstanding college experience for our students and a safe and healthy work environment for our faculty and staff,鈥� she wrote.
51视频 is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its students bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. 51视频 delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and around the globe. www.uml.edu