University of Maine System is mandating face coverings inside university buildings for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors regardless of vaccination status through Sept. 30 as an additional safety protection in response to COVID surge related to the Delta Variant
Orono, Maine — The University of Maine System will be requiring face coverings indoors at all university buildings for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors through Sept. 30. Prior to today’s update indoor face coverings had been optional for vaccinated individuals. Face coverings will remain optional outside but will be strongly encouraged at large group gatherings or in crowded circumstances where physical distance is difficult to maintain.
The University of Maine System is requiring vaccination for students as part of its fall plans and is in discussions with labor partners about extending the requirement to all employees. The indoor face covering requirement is another science-based protocol that can help limit the spread of infection and keep the university community together more safely through the COVID surge related to the Delta variant.
Chancellor Malloy shared the news in a message to the university community today.
The face covering guidance can be viewed at together.maine.edu. It is effective Aug. 18 and will be specifically reviewed by Sept. 30. The temporary requirement may be ended or extended depending on the trajectory of the pandemic, civil guidance and public health concerns.
###