Pacific Updates Outdoor COVID-19 Protocols

On Thursday, May 13, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can now go mask-free in many public places, and Governor Brown has indicated that Oregon will follow suit.

This announcement is an exciting indication that we are another step closer to returning to a kind of “normal.” 

It also reflects data that indicate the vaccinations are effective both in preventing individuals from developing COVID-19 symptoms and from spreading the virus, in most cases.

In response to this guidance, fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear masks outdoors on Pacific’s campuses. Anyone who is not yet fully vaccinated must continue to wear a mask. If you are ill, please stay home. 

We look forward to further guidance from Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission in the next few weeks to help us determine additional changes to our campus protocols. When that guidance is available, we will reassess all university COVID-19 rules.

Until then, Pacific will continue to maintain its indoor protocols: No guests are allowed in campus buildings, masks and physical distancing are required indoors, and handwashing and cleaning protocols remain.

Masks continue to be the best way for people who have not completed a vaccine sequence or who are unable to be vaccinated to avoid contracting COVID-19 and its variants. They also have proven effective in preventing the spread of other contagious infections, like the flu.

Please watch for additional updates soon as more guidance becomes available.