UWM to lift mask requirement March 19

As we transition to a new phase of living with COVID-19, UWM will no longer require students, employees and visitors to wear masks indoors on campus, starting Saturday, March 19.

We are making this change in response to a directive from UW System that reflects declining infection rates on UW campuses, and a high vaccination rate among faculty, staff and students. Consistent with the System guidance, other UW campuses are also lifting their mask requirements in March. Many communities, including the City of Milwaukee, are making similar changes.

While UWM is eliminating the mask requirement in campus buildings, we will continue to strongly recommend, in accordance with CDC guidance, that students, employees and visitors wear masks when inside public spaces on campuses.

In moving from a requirement to a strong recommendation to wear masks, we hope all members of our community will support efforts to keep everyone safe and healthy. Some campus units, including Norris Health Center, the Children’s Learning Center, health care professional training programs and UWM campus shuttles will continue to require the use of masks. N95 and surgical masks will continue to be available for free on our campuses, and we urge all members of our community to stay up to date on their vaccinations.

UWM appreciates our campus community’s commitment to following health and safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a high rate of vaccination and other measures, we have kept our infection rates relatively low, even during the recent surge of the omicron variant.

It is important that we continue to watch out for others in our community, being mindful that we don’t always know about others’ health concerns. Instructors and staff may post university-provided signs requesting that masks be worn in a classroom or office. While they can’t require masks, we ask that you please respect their wishes and wear a mask when asked.

Updated signage can be downloaded on the COVID-19 site.

UWM will provide additional communications for instructors and students to help with planning for after spring break and to provide resources for students and staff regarding these changes. Students with questions can contact the Dean of Students Office at dos@uwm.edu or 414-229-4632. Students and employees with questions about ADA accommodations should contact the Accessibility Resource Center (students) or the Central Human Resources Office (employees).

UWM vaccination clinics, in partnership with the Milwaukee Health Department, are being planned for March. Clinics are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the UWM Student Union. In addition, initial vaccinations and boosters are available at many locations — find them by searching your community on vaccines.gov.

Testing will continue to be required for unvaccinated students and staff and also available on a voluntary basis on campuses until at least April 1. Norris Health Center will continue to offer PCR testing for students with symptoms of COVID-19.

All UWM students and employees are encouraged to use the daily symptom monitor to help guide decisions. When in doubt, stay home if you have symptoms.

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