August 3, 2021
Mask Requirements When Indoors on Kansas State University Property
On Monday, August 2, 2021, an indoor mask requirement went into effect at all Kansas State University properties. This requirement aligns with Governor Kelly’s recent indoor mask requirement for all state workers and the CDC’s updated mask guidelines, both of which are aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, and, in particular, the Delta variant.
This requirement applies for all people when indoors on university property, except when an employee is working alone in their office or workspace. It applies regardless of vaccination status. The requirement applies on all Kansas State University property including our campuses, research and extension centers, experiment stations, livestock facilities, horticulture centers, and automobile fleet.
The mask requirement does not apply to university buildings that are three- or open-sided. People working in or visiting these types of buildings are still encouraged to wear a mask, however.
Our county and district local units should follow their local requirements and guidelines.
As always, you are encouraged to:
• Hold events outdoors whenever practical;
• Offer virtual meeting and workshop participation options so that people who are uncomfortable being in an environment with or without a mask requirement can participate;
• Practice frequent hand and work station sanitization; and,
• Stay home whenever you show any illness symptom(s), no matter how slight the symptom(s).
I realize that this new indoor mask requirement is a disappointing step backward in safety measures, but we do need to follow the best practices we can in order to combat the spread of this virus. Please practice due diligence, and, when working with others, patience and compassion. We will get through this together!