04/14/2023 - Relaxed masking rules in instructional spaces

To: The Campus Community

From: Kevin M. Gilmartin, Vice President for Student Affairs

David A. Tirrell, Provost

Date: April 14, 2023

Re: Relaxed masking rules in instructional spaces

On Monday, April 17, 2023, Caltech will relax campus masking rules in all instructional spaces; masking will be recommended, but no longer required.

This update to Caltech's COVID-19 protocols aligns the Institute's COVID-19 masking protocols for instructional spaces with the masking protocols across the rest of the campus. On March 31, we announced our plans for COVID-19 protocols for the spring term and noted that if case counts remained low for the first two weeks of the term, we would relax masking requirements in instructional settings as well. As recorded on the COVID-19 Dashboard, our community has maintained a low level of reported case activity. 

Note that this change does not alter other health and safety requirements related to the use of masks in research settings as part of traditional laboratory protocols, or public health requirements for masking as part of an individual's isolation period.

Please continue to respect others' preferences for mask use.

Thank you for your support of our efforts to maintain the health and safety of the Caltech community.