U of M to require masks indoors, citing CDC guidance

(KSTP) – The University of Minnesota sent out a letter Monday morning to all students and staff, notifying them that masks will be required indoors on all campuses. The university is citing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance in its latest update last week.

U of M President Joan Gabel sent the letter out.

"Wearing a mask or facial covering indoors has been shown to slow the transmission of COVID-19 and, as we saw as a nation, virtually eliminate other airborne illnesses like the flu. This requirement applies to all of our campuses and offices statewide, whether a given location is in a substantial or high transmission county or not," Gabel stated in the letter, in part.

The guidance goes into effect on campus as of Tuesday. It requires all students, staff, contractors and visitors to wear masks while inside any offices and facilities, regardless of vaccination status. Gabel noted masks or facial coverings are not required outdoors.

The university also encourages people to get vaccinated.

"Please note that vaccines are highly effective against the delta variant. We strongly encourage you to ‘Get the Vax‘ today," the letter reads.

To read the full letter, click here.