Subject: Face masks no longer required on UH campuses after Friday, Sept. 16
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2022 08:00:54 -1000
From: Office of the UH President <announce@hawaii.edu>
Aloha students, faculty and staff,
The remaining face masks requirements on UH campuses and properties will be lifted after Friday, September 16. Masks are currently required in classrooms, shared laboratory spaces and confined educational spaces in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our community.
The decision by UH leadership is based on the recommendation of our own medical and public health experts as well as the latest federal and state guidance. It recognizes that the rate of COVID-19 community transmission is no longer disrupting daily life and that most of the infections that are still occurring are not life-threatening and are not resulting in hospitalizations. UH will continue to remain highly vigilant, and COVID-19 restrictions may be quickly reinstated, if conditions change and warrant stronger measures.
As we move forward, please respect the choices of every individual to wear a face mask and please abide by signs that may be posted outside individual offices requesting that masks be worn for the protection of others. We have many in our community at higher risk due to personal health and underlying conditions, and we want to keep them safe and feeling secure on our campuses. In addition, masking is still strongly encouraged in crowded indoor spaces.
Please note that masking is required for those who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or has contracted the virus. They must wear a mask for the duration of the 10-day isolation period. Someone who has been infected may return on day 6 if their symptoms are substantially improved and they have not had any fever in the preceding 24 hours.
Mahalo for all you have done to elevate our collective understanding of personal safety during this devastating pandemic. You have demonstrated our capacity to look beyond ourselves and to care for others.
These changes and other important information are reflected in the updated UH COVID-19 Guidelines.
E mālama pono!
David Lassner
UH President