02/24/2022 - Caltech's Universal Indoor Masking Requirement Remains In Effect

To: The Campus Community 

From:  Jennifer Howes, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Wellness

While Los Angeles County plans to allow businesses to make masking optional for fully vaccinated individuals in controlled, indoor settings, Caltech's universal indoor masking requirement will remain in effect for all campus buildings and facilities. This requirement, as summarized below and outlined in the Institute's masking policy, will remain in effect through at least the end of the winter term.

Caltech's policy requires that all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, wear a well-fitted, medical grade mask, which includes surgical masks or N95, KN95, or KF94 respirators, in indoor spaces. Students are also required to continue to wear N95 respirators in all instructional spaces, including outdoor classrooms.

The county announced Wednesday in an updated health officer order that they will establish criteria to allow patrons to go unmasked in indoor public spaces and businesses, including proof of full vaccination status prior to entry or proof of a negative test. The modification to the county's current universal masking requirement takes effect Friday, February 25. The City of Pasadena has not yet released an updated health order. 

We continue to closely monitor the situation on campus and will consider changes to our own policies when appropriate.