On Monday, Marymount University announced to students, faculty and staff that the institution’s indoor mask requirement will no longer be in effect starting this Tuesday, March 1. This decision is based upon low COVID-19 metrics in Arlington County, Va., in addition to other University health and safety protocols such as COVID-19 vaccination and booster requirements. Members of the Marymount community who feel more comfortable wearing masks are encouraged to continue doing so.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance last week on the use of masks in indoor settings, stating that based on new metrics that take into account COVID-19 hospitalizations, hospital capacity and new COVID-19 cases, more than 70 percent of U.S. citizens live in areas where masks are no longer recommended indoors. In Arlington County, Va., the COVID-19 community level rate is considered to be “low” at this time, with a COVID-19 inpatient bed utilization rate of 5.2 percent. The community test positivity rate stands at 3.8 percent.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Marymount has followed recommendations from the CDC and the Arlington County Health Department to inform its own health and safety protocols in response to the virus. The decision to ease the University’s indoor mask requirement is in continuation with that decision-making process, and Marymount will continue to remain vigilant in monitoring trends and implementing best practices in order to keep the entire University community healthy and safe.
For the latest information on Marymount’s COVID-19 policies, including an active case count tracker, click here.
