Update - March 2, 2022
Updated COVID-19 Policies
Today, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) changed Vanderburgh County's advisory status to yellow on its statewide COVID-19 map. Current guidelines state that if all the relevant metrics remain below the targets for two weeks after this date, mask restrictions will be lifted. Due to the travel of many students for spring break, the University will extend this timeline and will lift the mask mandate beginning Monday, March 21.
With the mask mandate lifted, masks or face coverings will not be required on campus, but individuals can make a personal choice to continue wearing masks or face coverings.
Classrooms/Departments
Individual departments and administrative units may require masks in their private offices and departmental/administrative spaces.
Faculty may choose to require masks in their instructional spaces (i.e. classrooms and labs) and during research activities. Faculty who choose this option should communicate information to students before March 21 and inform Catie Taylor in the Office of Admission of visitor restrictions.
Signs may be placed in these and other areas indicating that masks or face coverings are required. Signs may be requested through the Office of Publications.
Mask Mandate Reinstitution
If any of the following conditions are met, the mask mandate will be reinstituted and will remain in place until all three metrics are below the targets for two consecutive weeks:
- The ISDH alert status for Vanderburgh County rises to a status of orange or red
- More than 20 active cases of COVID-19 on campus
- A decrease in the campus vaccination rate to lower than 80%
Continued Random Testing
The Random COVID-19 Testing Program will continue for those who are unvaccinated. The Coronavirus Task Force will continue to look at metrics to determine when this program will be discontinued.
Safe Spring Break
Our students on campus who left for spring break in 2020 can share how we were unaware that our country was on the cusp of a pandemic. The above plan is all based upon metrics staying low and stabilized as students after a week off. We encourage all students to have a safe spring break and be aware of the local area's Community Level if you are traveling home or to the beach for some much-needed relaxation.
We are very thankful for your patience and understanding over the past 2 years as we have navigated this pandemic together. Looking ahead, we hope to lift restrictions following spring break. The Coronavirus Task Force will look at the data and determine what other restrictions, testing requirements, and contact tracing will be lifted at the appropriate times.
Sincerely,
Coronavirus Task Force
