Update on COVID-19 masking policy

As you may be aware, COVID-19 community transmission levels have been changing in recent weeks. All of the communities where UAA has campuses have been moving in and out of the orange (high), yellow (medium) and green (low) statuses as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) community levels. These frequent changes prompted us to revisit our masking policies on campus. 

This past spring, UAA leadership examined public health data and CDC guidance and introduced a policy stating that masks are optional when community levels are green (low) and yellow (medium), but when in orange status, masks are required in indoor spaces as well as outdoor spaces where social distancing is not feasible. 

Since that time, some significant considerations have changed, including the nature of the virus, our understanding of how to combat transmission, the availability of vaccines and antivirals, government policies and community factors related to masking. In addition, rapid fluctuations in and out of different CDC levels make rigid policies difficult to enforce, understand and communicate in a timely manner.

At this time, we are updating the UAA mask policy to recommend staff, faculty and students wear a mask indoors when a particular community is in the orange (high) status according to the CDC community levels. While in the orange status, the new policy reads:
 

If you have personal health concerns regarding COVID-19 and its effect on the execution of your work or studies, you can seek medical accommodation from Human Resources (employees) or Disability Support Services (students). If you would like to get vaccinated or need a booster, please visit the state's vaccine finder website to find locations. 

Additional information can be found and will be updated on the UAA COVID-19 information website.

 

All the best,