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From Office of Risk Management: Face Coverings Update

April 5, 2022

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From Office of Risk Management: Face Coverings Update {Face Covering Mandate at WIU Lifted for Summer/Fall 2022}

In the spirit of transparency, the Office of Risk Management would like to share the following information regarding face coverings with the WIU community.

With the continued decrease in COVID-19 positive cases throughout the region, WIU has attempted to negotiate a revision to the Spring 2022 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) currently in place with the University of Professionals of Illinois (UPI) WIU Chapter 4100, specifically related to face coverings.

Following meetings regarding lifting the current face covering mandate, the UPI chapter leadership informed the committee on April 1 that they are not in favor of amending this portion of the MOA. The COVID Response Committee's proposal to revise the face covering mandate is similar to other higher education institutions across the state. Unless an agreement is reached to revise the face covering mandate, the current policy requiring face coverings will remain in effect until the MOA expires May 17, 2022.

Following the MOA expiration, face coverings will be optional (with the exception of select settings) beginning May 18, 2022. More information will be shared closer to that date.

If COVID-19 positive cases continue to decrease and McDonough/Rock Island counties regions continue to be categorized as a "low" risk community level, it is the University's intention to adjust University COVID-19 protocols, and as a part of the revision(s), face coverings will be optional in on-campus settings, with the exception of select offices/areas and when requested to wear, following the expiration of the faculty union MOA. Furthermore, most campus operations will return to normal operations beginning with the Summer 2022 session, and a return to normal classroom capacities for the Fall 2022 semester.

Other protocols including University travel, COVID-19 testing, events/activities, including attendance capacities for Spring 2022 Commencement, are continuing to be reviewed. Updates will be provided in the coming weeks.

COVID-19-related information and protocols can be found at wiu.edu/coronavirus, at "Return to Campus."

NOTE: WIU protocols, including testing, face coverings, capacities and other measures, could change depending on circumstances and health guidance.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing