COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State will lift its mask mandate on Friday for most indoor spaces, including classrooms, the university announced Tuesday.
What You Need To Know
- Ohio State is lifting its COVID-19 mask requirement on Friday
- The change applies to most indoor spaces, including classrooms
- Columbus officials ended the citywide mask requirement Monday
The change comes after the city of Columbus officially ended its mask requirement Monday evening. The campus mask mandate had been in effect alongside the citywide mask requirement throughout this academic year.
“While the university continues to require masks in clinical health care settings (including at the Wexner Medical Center), COVID-19 testing locations, child care centers and on public transportation, Ohio State will be lifting indoor mask requirements in its academic and general-purpose buildings,” the announcement said.
The university said the change will take effect at 6 p.m. on Friday, when Ohio State’s spring break begins. Officials said the change takes effect immediately for public events at venues including the Schottenstein Center and the Covelli Center.
“Ohio State’s updated masking policy reflects improving COVID-19 case counts after the Omicron surge, the high vaccination rate of the university community and the lifting of mask requirements in many jurisdictions, including the city of Columbus this week,” the announcement said.
The university requires vaccination and reports a vaccination rate of 93% for university community members. Officials are encouraging booster shots, as the rate is much lower at 25%.
Ohio State said its testing positivity has declined to 0.6%. Students living on campus and in Greek housing are required to take weekly tests, which will continue despite the mask mandate being lifted, officials said.