WORCESTER, Mass. - Colleges in Worcester are now reconsidering their mask policies in light of a decrease in severity of COVID-19 cases in the area.
On Feb. 18, Worcester officially rescinded their city-wide indoor mask mandate for most places, citing a significant drop in new daily cases throughout the region.
Some institutions in Worcester are updating their policies. Below is a list of colleges and universities who have released information regarding these changes:
Assumption University
As of Monday, Feb. 21, Assumption has announced that they will be operating as mask-optional, while still recommended for those who are fully vaccinated. Masks are still required in on-campus health facilities and for students and faculty who are unvaccinated, and faculty may continue to require masks as they see fit.
Worcester State University
Worcester State currently requires masks to be worn indoors at all times. Beginning on March 23, Worcester State will still require masks for students and faculty with medical or religious exemptions, and in certain spaces such as classrooms, health services, shuttles and buses, and campus events which exceed more than 500 people. For all other indoor and outdoor spaces, masks are still recommended, but will no longer be required.
Quinsigamond Community College
QCC will continue to uphold its current mask policy until further notice, in line with all other community colleges within Massachusetts. QCC notes in a statement to Spectrum News 1, “We will continue to monitor the health climate and make policy decisions in the best interests of our community, to the best of our ability.”
Clark University
Masks are currently required in all public indoor spaces at Clark, in response to the spread of the Omicron variant. In a statement released to students, the school said, “If health risks continue to be diminished, Clark will consider adjustments to the campus mask policy shortly after spring break.”
Anna Maria College
On Monday, Feb. 28, Anna Maria officially transitioned to a mask optional and test optional campus. Students and faculty are free to continue wearing masks if they choose to do so, and those who are positive with COVID-19 or are considered close contacts must continue to follow quarantine and mask protocols.
College of the Holy Cross
Due to a recent spike in cases amongst students, Holy Cross has chosen to delay their mask optional policy until further notice. Masks will continue to be required in all indoor spaces except for residence halls on campus. The college plans to revisit this policy after their spring break to evaluate changing conditions.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
As of Sunday, Feb. 13, WPI will no longer require masks indoors, except for health service facilities, transportation, and those who are positive with COVID-19 or are considered close contacts. Masking is still strongly encouraged, especially for those who are immunocompromised or unvaccinated.