St. Thomas will continue to require face coverings and social distancing protocols despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance and Gov. Tim Walz lifting Minnesota’s statewide mask mandate, according to an email from the University Action and Response Team Friday morning.

On Wednesday, the CDC eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. Despite this, face coverings will also be required at this weekend’s large outdoor events, including Friday afternoon’s March Through the Arches and Sunday’s School of Law commencement ceremonies.

“It’s important to note that yesterday’s CDC guidance applies to fully vaccinated individuals,” UART wrote, “although many of our community members are getting their second vaccine doses on campus this weekend, they will not be considered fully vaccinated for two more weeks.”

Walz is to sign executive orders ending the statewide mask mandate on Friday, though state officials recommend that those not fully vaccinated or asymptomatic either get their shots or keep wearing masks.

The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul currently still require masks indoors, as do some private businesses.

“Until we gain more clarity on the city-wide mandates, St. Thomas will continue following the same COVID-19 policies that have been in place this semester,” UART wrote in its email.

UART also encouraged St. Thomas community members to get the vaccine and provided information about the university’s Sunday vaccine clinic.

“Please be respectful,” UART wrote, “and do not put your fellow community members at risk.”

Angeline Terry can be reached at terr2351@stthomas.edu.
Emily Haugen can be reached at haug7231@stthomas.edu.