Pacific Encourages Masks in Crowded Indoor Areas

Last week, the CDC updated its mask-wearing guidance due to rising case counts and spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19.

The CDC now encourages everyone — vaccinated or unvaccinated — to wear a face mask indoors in public areas where there is substantial or high transmission.

Unvaccinated individuals should continue wearing masks in public both indoors and outdoors, according to the CDC.

While Pacific University is not implementing new mask mandates at this time, we strongly encourage all members of our community to follow this CDC guidance. Washington County, home to our Forest Grove and Hillsboro campuses, is considered a community with substantial transmission, while Lane (Eugene Campus) and Marion (Woodburn Campus) counties are high-transmission areas, according to the CDC.

Over the past year, Pacific University has seen a lower COVID-19 transmission rate on our campuses than in our surrounding communities, largely due to the efforts of our students and employees to follow public health guidelines and to get vaccinated.

The Pacific University COVID-19 Task Force continues to monitor local and national conditions and guidance and may review university protocols as appropriate.

We are confident that our students and employees will continue to practice responsible health precautions as we transition into on-campus work and learning.

• Continue to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
• Stay home if you feel sick.
• Wear a mask if you are in a crowded indoor space, if you are unvaccinated, if you are immunocompromised or at higher risk of complications, or if you are sneezing or coughing for any reason.