Face coverings for indoor campus spaces

Dear Stanford community,

Earlier today, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties joined others in the Bay Area in issuing a requirement for face coverings indoors – regardless of an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination status – effective tonight at midnight.

In compliance with this new rule, all Stanford employees, students and visitors will be required to wear face coverings in indoor spaces. Exceptions are allowed for individuals who are alone in a private office or room or actively eating or drinking.

Our campus community and counties have high rates of vaccination for COVID-19. However, hospitalizations connected with the Delta variant are on the rise. While vaccination is the most effective step we can take to minimize the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, masking provides an extra level of protection and helps keep our community safe.

Vaccination rates are well above 90% among employees and students who are currently on campus and reporting their status on Health Check. These rates are very encouraging signs. They demonstrate how seriously our campus community is heeding recommendations for vaccinations.

More information is available in these FAQs from Santa Clara County, and we will be providing additional guidance in the days ahead.

As a reminder, all faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars as well as undergraduate, graduate and professional students coming to campus this fall will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. As we announced last week, the requirement for weekly testing by faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars who are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19 is being moved up to Aug. 9.

If you or your loved ones are eligible but not yet vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to do so. Resources and links to vaccination providers are available here.

The pandemic has been challenging for everyone in our community. We continue to be grateful for your patience, your vigilance and your efforts to keep one another safe as we plan for exciting times ahead.

Sincerely,

Russell Furr
Associate Vice Provost
Environmental Health & Safety