Updated Simmons Mask Policy - March 8, 2022

Dear Simmons Community,

We hope this message finds you well and that you are looking forward to Spring Break as an opportunity to relax and recharge. Over the past few weeks we have seen a significant decline in the number of COVID cases on campus and in our local community. This good news, combined with our strong vaccination rates and updates to CDC and city guidance, has enabled us to update our campus COVID-19 mitigation policies.

Beginning March 14, masks will be optional in indoor spaces for anyone who is fully vaccinated and boosted. Masks will still be required in the testing site, the Health Center, athletic shuttles, and certain spaces where there is posted signage that masks are still required. Beyond these specific circumstances, mask wearing will be at individual discretion.

This decision to relax our mask mandate aligns with the latest CDC guidance and also the City of Boston's decision to lift its mask mandate in most situations. Please remember that even if masks aren't required for everyone, many people will still choose to remain masked to protect themselves. Please be respectful of this and of anyone who requests that those around them remain masked, especially in close quarters and enclosed meeting spaces. You can still protect yourself by wearing a tight-fitting mask such as an N95 or KN95.

During Spring Break, the testing site will only be open one day, Tuesday, March 8 from 10am - 2pm, for anyone who is on campus and wishes to test. The weekly testing requirement will not be enforced next week, but weekly testing will continue upon return from Spring Break. All students living in campus residence halls are required to complete a rapid antigen test 24 hours prior to returning to campus.

We are incredibly proud of the way that our community has acted with kindness and compassion throughout this pandemic, and we know that caring spirit will continue. We will continue to consult with public health experts and monitor the state of both our campus and the local community to ensure that we continue to operate safely, including the reinstatement of certain COVID policies if necessary. If you have any questions about our COVID policies, please contact [email protected].

Sincerely,

The COVID-19 Recovery Task Force