(DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)Starting Monday, Feb. 28, Chicago is removing its mask requirement following a drop in COVID-19 cases diagnosed per day, test positivity, and hospital and ICU beds occupied by COVID-19 patients. As of Feb. 23, the seven-day rolling average for test positivity was 1.3 percent in Chicago.
While reaching lower transmission rate status is very good news, the timing of a removal of the mask mandate presents challenges and concerns at DePaul. This date falls in the middle of winter quarter. As part of our decision-making, we requested input from faculty, staff and student leadership. To avoid disruption, DePaul will continue to require masks in classrooms and labs at least until the end of winter quarter, Sunday, March 20. Outside of these spaces, beginning Feb. 28, masks will be recommended, but not required.
University leadership will continue to rely on guidance from public health authorities and again seek out the perspectives of various constituent groups when determining the future of our mask requirement.
In the coming weeks, we will communicate our plan for indoor mask requirements upon our return from Spring Break.
DePaul thanks our community for their cooperation thus far in wearing face masks to take care of one another. Even when we reach the day when masks are no longer required, DePaul will remain a mask friendly campus out of concern and care for our fellow students and colleagues.
Vaccine booster attestation
All students, faculty and staff should attest to the vaccine booster status by the Tuesday, March 1 deadline. For more information and instructions on how to attest, visit DePaul's COVID-19 Updates and Guidance website.
Compliance with Chicago's proof of vaccination mandate
Starting Feb. 28, Chicago also will remove its requirement for people to show proof of vaccination in certain indoor settings. At that time, DePaul also will no longer require people to show proof of vaccination at The Ray Meyer Fitness Center, athletics events, admission events, or at campus dining locations.
DePaul's planning
The COVID-19 pandemic has evolved over the past two years — through the delta and omicron variants and with the arrival of vaccines and boosters. Throughout it all, DePaul closely followed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Chicago Department of Public Health CDPH guidance to promote the safety and health of the entire community.
As the situation changed, DePaul made changes. This is still true today. The university will continue to monitor federal, state and local guidance and consult with on-campus stakeholders and our advisor from AMITA Sage Medical Group. Changes will be made as needed.
Adjustments to the university's COVID measures will be shared on the COVID-19 Updates and Guidance website and in Newsline.