Updated as of May 14, 2021 at 7:25 p.m. to include information about state COVID-19 restrictions.
With less than one week left in the spring semester, Elon University will continue to require masks indoors in classrooms and other public spaces, after the Centers for Disease Control announced updated guidance for fully vaccinated individuals yesterday. The new guidance allows fully vaccinated people to go most places without masks and no longer maintain six feet of physical distance.
Masks will still be required at graduation and all indoor commencement activities next week, according to an email from Jeff Stein, chair of the Ready & Resilient committee. Because the guidance from the CDC is only for those who are fully vaccinated — two weeks after the final dose of the vaccine — and not all attendees will be fully vaccinated, the university does not expect to update commencement guidance at this time.
According to the email, the updated guidance from the CDC reinforces the university’s plan to shift to more usual campus operations this summer and fall. Elon University did not respond to Elon News Network’s immediate request for comment.
Gov. Roy Cooper lifted all gathering limits and physical distancing requirements during a press conference on May 14. Masks will not be required in most settings, but the mask mandate will remain in place in schools, childcare and camps, as most children are not yet vaccinated. People who are not yet vaccinated are encouraged to continue wearing a mask and maintain a physical distance of six feet in all indoor settings.
Everyone, including people who are fully vaccinated, will still have to wear a mask while using public transportation, in healthcare and long term care facilities, and some congregate living facilities, such as homeless shelters.
Masks are also strongly encouraged indoors at sporting events and live performances. Businesses may choose to require face masks indoors, but are no longer required to.