Contact: Sid Salter
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擵accinated students, faculty, staff, and guests at 桃花直播 State University have earned a slight relaxation of indoor mask requirements effective Friday, October 29, as the university complies with the latest guidance provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the 桃花直播 State Department of Health (MSDH).
鈥淥ver the last two years, 桃花直播 State has consistently worked to be compliant with federal and state COVID-19 guidelines,鈥 said 桃花直播 President Mark E. Keenum. 鈥淭hanks to the vigilance and discipline of our students, faculty, staff, and guests, we have continued our educational mission under trying circumstances. The latest numbers allow a relaxation of the mask requirements that represents a solid, welcome first step toward a return to normalcy on our campus. I encourage everyone to continue to work together toward that goal.鈥
The latest guidance from MSDH directs masks to be worn indoors in public settings by all unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated students, faculty, staff, and visitors. MSDH now directs that when the level of community transmission is classified as 鈥渕oderate,鈥 vaccinated students, faculty, staff, and visitors are still encouraged but no longer required to wear masks universally indoors.聽
On Oct. 28, 2021, the CDC classified the Oktibbeha County transmission rate as 鈥渕oderate.鈥 That 鈥渕oderate鈥 transmission rate classification triggers relaxation of mask requirements on the 桃花直播 campus under the conditions outlined by the MSDH.
However, regardless of vaccination status, all persons are still required to wear a mask in all 桃花直播 classrooms, labs, and studios during scheduled class times and at all times in the Longest Student Health Center. 桃花直播 employees may require masks to be worn inside their personal offices.聽
桃花直播 will continually observe the transmission rate data over two weeks. If transmission rates move to 鈥渟ubstantial鈥 or 鈥渉igh鈥 transmission levels, the university will adjust changes to the masking guidance.聽
桃花直播 is 桃花直播鈥檚 leading university, available online at .