Dear Coral Gables and Marine Campus Community (non-UHealth/Miller School),
Through the consistent and collective efforts of our entire University community, and due to the dramatic decline in cases and high rate of vaccination across our campuses, we now have reached a point where we can safely update our indoor mask guidelines.
Beginning tomorrow—Tuesday, March 1—masks will no longer be required in indoor spaces on the Coral Gables and Marine campuses. (The Medical Campus should continue to follow guidance from UHealth communications.)
Our revised protocols are consistent with the latest guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, which categorizes communities as low, medium, or high risk based on hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. The community level for Miami-Dade County currently is medium.
While masks are now optional, they are helpful in preventing infection and will continue to be needed in certain circumstances:
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Immunocompromised individuals or those who are at high risk for severe illness should continue to wear high-grade masks.
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Individuals who test positive must wear a high-grade mask at all times around others for a period of five days following their isolation period.
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Individuals who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms, regardless of test result, should wear a high-grade mask around others.
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Individuals who are identified as close contacts of COVID-positive subjects should wear masks until they have tested negative according to the protocol.
There are different levels of vulnerability. Individuals who wish to wear a mask for their protection are encouraged to do so, and that decision should be respected by all members of our community.
While we are relaxing mask guidelines, UScreen testing will continue so that we can monitor and minimize the spread of COVID-19 on our campuses. Any student who is not vaccinated and boosted, if eligible, or has not provided proof of vaccination and booster is required to take a COVID-19 test twice per week. Employees with an approved vaccine exemption must continue to test once per week. Testing site locations and hours of operation are available at coronavirus.miami.edu/testing.
Vaccination rates have played an important role in getting us to this point. All students are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated and boosted, if eligible, against COVID-19. All faculty, staff, and postdoctoral associates are required to be vaccinated and boosted, if eligible, subject to the exemptions outlined in Florida law. Visit vaccines.gov to find a vaccination location near you.
Students, faculty, or staff who experience symptoms consistent with, or test positive for, COVID-19 should continue to call 305-243-ONE-U. Anyone with questions regarding mask or other COVID-related guidelines should email covidcmo@miami.edu.
Our health and wellness protocols have been, and will continue to be, responsive to the latest trends and public health guidance. Should circumstances change, we will revise our protocols accordingly. Together, our collective efforts continue to move us closer to the end of this pandemic. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the health and wellbeing of all ’Canes. |
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