Mask Mandate Lifted, Return to Work and More...
Happy Summer Break,
Here are some pandemic related updates and items you should know regarding campus operations as we move through the summer months and prepare for the fall.
Masks and Physical Distancing for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated the Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People. Fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in most non-health care settings.
Bradley University is lifting its mask mandate and revising the physical distancing guidelines for those who are fully vaccinated and physically present on Bradley’s campus to be consistent with State of Illinois and CDC recommendations. The exception is for academic classes and on-campus residential locations as outlined below.
If you’re not fully vaccinated, you’re required to continue wearing a mask while on Bradley’s campus; you should also maintain proper physical distancing as much as possible. You’re considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and 14 days after the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Bradley continues to encourage members of the campus community to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Classroom Mask Guidelines
Bradley will continue to require masks in classroom settings during the summer academic sessions for everyone, regardless of vaccination status. As of today, the CDC continues to recommend masks for students, faculty and staff in most higher education settings.
Residential Living Guidelines
Students residing on-campus must continue to follow university guidelines and do not need to wear a mask when in their private residence. However, all on-campus residential students are asked to wear a mask in the common areas inside their residential location.
Orientation
Bradley will follow the State of Illinois and CDC recommendations. Those who are fully vaccinated will not be required to wear a mask. Physical distancing and other safety precautions will be in place for all orientation sessions.
Summer Camps and Events
Youth events hosted on campus this summer, including World of Wonder and athletic camps, should continue to follow guidance for K-12 schools and will require face coverings.
Illinois Bridge Phase and Phase 5
The Bridge Phase for Illinois began earlier this month and we anticipate additional guidance as we approach Phase 5. This may begin as soon as June 11. While this news is encouraging, please remember we aren’t out of the woods yet and the pandemic isn’t over.
Return to Work
As you know, we’re planning to return primarily to face-to-face, in-person instruction for fall. It’s our intent to welcome employees back to campus for work in early August. You should have received the return-to-work information via email a week or so ago.
Face-to face meetings
We continue to encourage virtual meetings due to the many employees who continue to work remotely. However, small-group, in-person meetings are acceptable.
Event registration
Please continue following our event registration plan, available here. After completing the Bridge Phase, followed by the start of Phase 5 for Illinois, we anticipate revising these guidelines.
Self-Reporting
We ask you to continue to self report if you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are physically on campus.
Summer Updates
We’ll continue to post new information on the important news section of the virus website and communicate with you via email. We’ll also update the website over summer to reflect recent changes. Concerns can be sent to covid19concerns@bradley.edu.