Face Coverings Once Again Required Indoors for Everyone

---
Announced: August 2, 2021, 4 p.m.

To: Campus Community
From: Chico State Emergency Operations Center

Due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, face coverings will once again be required for everyone accessing indoor campus facilities regardless of vaccination status, effective tomorrow, August 3. This decision was made in an abundance of caution and comes in addition to the CSU's vaccine requirement announced last week. 

To be clear, both vaccinated and unvaccinated people must now wear masks in indoor facilities and restrictive spaces like campus vehicles while traveling with others. Managers are expected to ensure employees are compliant with this requirement. Details for faculty regarding managing masks in the classroom will be shared separately. Individuals unable to wear face coverings due to a medical condition should contact the Accessibility Resource Center regarding accommodations.

This is a preventative measure for the foreseeable future to avoid the kind of outbreaks we are seeing across the country. Experts are finding that while vaccines are very effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19 and its variants, vaccinated people can still spread the highly contagious Delta variant, putting at risk those who cannot be vaccinated (including children and immunocompromised people). It is important for the safety of our campus and community to proactively prevent widespread outbreaks through the use of vaccines AND masks.  

We continue to monitor the latest public health guidance as well as local conditions, and will update our policies accordingly. Thank you for your continued patience and flexibility