May 14, 2021: Campus Face Covering Update

Dear St. Thomas students, faculty and staff,

We are receiving many questions about the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s updated face coverings guidance and what it means for St. Thomas. We also anticipate Governor Walz lifting Minnesota’s statewide mask mandate later today.

Please be aware the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are still requiring masks to be worn indoors, as are many 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, including face coverings and social distancing protocols.

Face coverings will be required at this weekend’s large outdoor events, including today’s March Through the Arches. They will also be required at Sunday’s School of Law commencement ceremonies.

We will send more information as available. It is important to note that yesterday’s CDC guidance applies to fully vaccinated individuals, and 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. Please be respectful, and do not put your fellow community members at risk.

On-Campus COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

Finally, we encourage all community members to get vaccinated. Monday slots are still available for our on-campus vaccine clinic Registration closes at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 16. Sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine online.

Thank you for your attention,

The University Action and Response Team