UPDATED: Policy on Face Coverings

July 28, 2021

The following information applies to vaccinated individuals. Current public health guidance and university policy requires unvaccinated individuals to wear face coverings indoors.

King County issued a new directive Monday. The county strongly recommends that all individuals voluntarily comply with the following directive:

“Everyone 5-years of age and older in King County should continue to wear a face covering within indoor public spaces, unless a state-approved method is used to assure that all people allowed inside have been fully vaccinated.”

The CDC issued new guidance yesterday stating, “to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.” Governor Inslee announced this morning that Washington state would follow the CDC’s recommendation. Inslee said he is asking all Washingtonians “to consider wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission. This is a recommendation, not a requirement.” King County reports updated transmission levels here.

Seattle University’s Opening Task Force is reviewing the new county and federal public health guidance. We will provide an additional update next week. Until then, we recommend all individuals wear a face covering indoors in settings on campus where multiple individuals are present, and the vaccination status is either unknown or it cannot be confirmed that all individuals in the shared space are fully vaccinated.

Additionally, for indoor public spaces on campus that are currently open or soon planning to re-open to public gatherings, all individuals may be required to wear a mask indoors.

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