Update on COVID status and masking

San Mateo County has moved to the CDC’s high/red COVID-19 community level, which includes a recommendation for masking indoors and on public transportation. Santa Clara County remains at the high/red level.

Stanford already strongly recommends masking indoors and in crowded outdoor settings, and requires masking in classrooms, healthcare facilities and Marguerite buses. The new community level means that masks must now be worn indoors at SLAC due to DOE requirements. Other university requirements are not affected.

Changes in community levels, which are based on such factors as increased hospitalizations and the demand on local health care systems, serve as a reminder that COVID remains with us. Current variants are highly contagious, and masking continues to be a critical health tool against the spread of the virus.