University of Kentucky lifts indoor mask mandate outside of classrooms

University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto has announced that campus mask mandates have been lifted outside of classrooms at the school. This includes all common areas across campus such as the Gatton Student Center, dining halls, libraries, workout facilities and residence alls, among others.

Masks will remain mandatory in classrooms during classes, with classrooms supplying masks.

“We have come together as a community at each critical juncture throughout the pandemic,” Capilouto wrote in a message to the campus community. “Now, we are ready to move once again — this time, to modify in significant ways the mandatory mask policy that has been in place indoors on our campus this academic year.”

Beginning on March 9, UK will make the following adjustments to its mask policy, per the school:

Optional Masks 

• We will adopt an optional mask-wearing policy in common areas across campus, such as the Gatton Student Center; common areas or hallways of classroom buildings; dining halls; libraries; workout facilities; and residence halls.
• Masks will also be optional during voluntary events, such as Campus Ruckus, concerts, theatrical performances and at athletics venues.  
• For performing arts classes — music, dance and theatre — masks are optional during performance situations (whether lessons, labs or performances). Masks, though, must be worn in classes when not performing.

Mandatory Masks

• Masks will remain mandatory in classrooms during classes. We will supply classrooms with masks.
• Masks also will remain mandatory in private offices/suites and conference/meeting rooms where more than one person is gathered.
• Masks must continue to be worn in research and classroom laboratories.
• Health care facilities and settings are exempt from these changes. Current masking policies will remain in place in UK HealthCare settings, per UKHC policies.

Capilouto announced that “if the positive trajectory of the virus continues,” the optional mask policy will be expanded following commencement ceremonies in May.

“The CDC guidance indicates that masks should be optional as incidence rates decline along with hospitalization rates and increasing bed capacity at health care facilities,” Capilouto continued. “Incidence rates of the virus in Fayette County — and throughout much of the Commonwealth — have been declining precipitously in recent weeks. And the numbers of COVID patients in UK HealthCare facilities have been dropping for several days as well. Urban County Council offices announced a similar move last week.

“As with every other step we’ve taken in meeting this challenge, we are doing so after deep consultation, robust feedback and thoughtful consideration of what the science and health authorities are telling us.

“We are pleased to make this move at this time. It points to the hope that we are beginning a new phase in the long battle against this virus — moving from a pandemic to an illness that is endemic: something serious that is part of our lives but doesn’t dominate seemingly every aspect of them.”

You can find Capilouto’s complete letter to the campus community here.