***Please note: This message is part of an archive where a record of messages are posted in their original form at the time they were sent. As policies can change, check the current campus status page for the most updated health and safety protocols. Past messages will not be edited to reflect the most current policies.***
Dear Members of the Campus Community,
As a reminder, Lehigh currently requires all individuals on campus, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks when indoors in public or common spaces. This policy took effect on August 2.
We are aware that a number of students have not been wearing masks in campus buildings, including in residence halls and in dining halls when not eating. Students not abiding by these policies in areas such as classrooms, libraries and dining areas will be asked to leave.
Our goal is to maintain in-person activities on our campus this semester, and we adopted this masking policy to help ensure our ability to do so. The emergence of the more contagious Delta variant of COVID-19, high transmission rates in Northampton County, and evidence that vaccinated people infected with this variant can spread the virus to others necessitate masking for all. If members of our community continue to violate this policy, we will need to reevaluate our ability to hold in-person activities and events safely.
Please remember:
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Masks are required for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in all indoor public or common spaces, including classrooms, shared offices, laboratories, conference rooms, meeting spaces and fitness areas.
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Masks will continue to be required on shared transportation, such as buses.
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Masks may be removed briefly while eating and drinking and when people are alone in any space.
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Masks may also be removed while dining in designated dining areas (including dining halls and other food service areas, such as the Grind), but must be worn when not eating.
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Roommates and suitemates are not required to wear masks in their private rooms, but all students living in or visiting the residence halls should wear a mask in hallways, lounges and other common areas. More specific guidance has been provided for residential students.
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Masks are not required outdoors but are strongly recommended when in groups. Everyone should keep a mask readily available at all times.
As always, we continue to monitor data and guidance from the CDC, Pennsylvania Department of Health and other public health sources, especially as it relates to data on new variants. We will also continue to monitor local transmission rates in the County, as the CDC has advised, and on campus and in South Bethlehem.
Thank you for your adherence to the health and safety measures that will help us remain together on campus this semester.
-COVID-19 Response Team