All of Kentucky’s four-year public colleges and universities are mandating masks for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in campus buildings amid surging COVID-19 cases.
The move back to universal masking came in the form of a joint statement signed by the presidents of the universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
Despite a desire to get back to the rhythms of normal campus life, the university presidents wrote that the spread of the Delta variant, new Centers for Disease Control guidance, and consultation with public health officials led to the decision. The statement goes on to say it’s important that everyone feels “as safe as possible” on campus when students return this fall.
Indoor masking, regardless of vaccination status, was already set to take effect at the University of Kentucky on Monday. UK boasts a more than 70% vaccinated campus, but school officials had hoped to postpone any new mask guidance until after an end-of-summer campaign to exceed 80% vaccinated.
UK’s fall semester begins August 23.
