On Thursday, May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidelines related to mask wearing and social distancing for individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  Simply put, if you are fully vaccinated you can return to most activities that you enjoyed prior to the pandemic.

Effective immediately, people on the main campus and five regional centers who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear masks or social distance on campus. This change applies to summer activities and classes, as well as the 2021 fall semester. In keeping with new CDC guidelines, individuals who are not vaccinated are encouraged to wear a mask on campus and at the centers and continue to keep socially distanced from others. Any individual is welcome to wear a mask at the university, whether vaccinated or not.

Vaccines are available locally at the Weakley County Health Department and at pharmacies and health departments all across West Tennessee. CDC research has shown that the COVID-19 vaccines will reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission and are effective at preventing the spread of the virus.

We will proceed with our full return to work plan, starting June 1, 2021.

I want to continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated for maximum protection and prevention of illness. Thank you for your assistance in keeping our university as safe as possible during the past year.