New Indoor Masking Mandate
August 6, 2021
Dear Campus Community,
Prince George’s County has announced that the county will reinstitute an indoor public mask policy mandate, effective Sunday, August 8, 2021, at 5 p.m. The mandate is due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, and it applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
In compliance and coordination with public health guidance, COVID-19 data, and our county mandates, the University of Maryland will now require masks to be worn indoors by all, regardless of vaccination status. For unvaccinated individuals, masks are also required while outdoors in crowded spaces.
Additionally, masks will continue to be required in the following situations for all members of the UMD community:
- On public transportation (including Shuttle-UM and school buses);
- While participating in activities involving K-12 students (such as in summer camps, daycare, etc.); and
- While obtaining healthcare services (including at all COVID-19 testing locations).
Masks may be removed indoors under the following circumstances:
- If you are by yourself inside a room, office, laboratory or study area;
- In residence hall rooms/suites/apartments, only with roommates; and
- Momentarily when eating or drinking. If you are unvaccinated, regardless of exemption status, please be seated 6 feet from others.
We recognize that masking in the workplace and classrooms may be inconvenient, but we believe this is a necessary and prudent step to prioritizing health and safety for our entire campus community.
Vaccination Compliance
Vaccination remains the most important step you can take to keep yourself, your family and our community safe. If you have not done so already, please get vaccinated and confirm your vaccination status or request an exemption immediately at return.umd.edu. COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all students, faculty and staff returning to campus for the fall 2021 semester. There are significant consequences for students, faculty and staff who fail to comply with our COVID-19 health and safety policies, including canceled course registration for students, and progressive discipline, including termination, for employees.
For additional information, please visit the COVID-19 Information website or email healthconcerns@umd.edu. If you need help with the vaccine requirement and/or compliance, please complete the COVID-19 Compliance Support Request form.
We will continue to monitor conditions closely and adjust our COVID-19 protocols as needed to maintain the health and safety of our community. We thank you for your diligence in keeping with our health and safety practices throughout this pandemic.
Be well and stay safe,
