The University of Idaho’s mask mandate will continue into the weeks after students return from fall break, according to an email sent on Monday by President Scott Green.
The university administration has been evaluating COVID-19 case rates every three weeks throughout the semester to determine whether the mask mandate is still necessary or not, but after students return they will evaluate every week.
“The metrics in Latah County are headed in the right direction, with hospitalizations down and the positivity rate declining,” Green stated in the email. “But discussions with Gritman Medical Center and Public Health reveal that our positivity rate is still high enough that masks will be required upon your return after Thanksgiving.”
In the last week, Latah County has reported 46 confirmed and three probable COVID-19 cases, according to Public Health Idaho North Central District.
The university doesn’t have any updates on the federal vaccine mandate or the state’s lawsuit against it. Green stated in the email the courts agreed on a hearing in early December and the university will have more information on guidance at that time.
“As such, we have not imposed a vaccination mandate,” Green stated. “But, if implemented, the federal mandate requires the second dose of Moderna or Pfizer be administered on or before Jan. 4 — and the proof submitted. Johnson & Johnson is one dose, and therefore could be administered Jan. 4, but it can be more difficult to find.”
If the vaccine mandate is effected, the university will implement a process for religious and medical exemptions from the vaccine mandate. Students who are not also employees would not be affected, according to the email.
The university continues to offer weekly vaccine clinics on the Moscow campus as well as offering free vault tests, which can be picked up between noon and 2 p.m. beginning Nov. 29 at the Student Recreation Center. Vaccines are also being offered at several local pharmacies, which can be found on vaccines.gov.