Beginning on March 8, KN95, KF95 or N95 masks will no longer be required to be worn when indoors on campus except when in classrooms and labs.

This means those on campus who are walking through academic buildings such as Jamrich, Hedgcock and Forest Roberts Theatre will not be required to wear one when passing through unless entering a specific classroom or lab.

“Masks are strongly recommended for individuals with compromised immune systems or who interact with family members with compromised immune systems or are at high risks for COVID,” Interim President Kerri Schuiling wrote in her latest COVID-19 update email.

The mask requirement change came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s revised mask recommendations and Marquette County’s current classification as a medium transmission area.

Those who feel more comfortable continuing to wear masks anywhere on campus are encouraged to do so. Schuiling said that NMU will not tolerate actions by individuals to discourage wearing masks.

Despite the change of mask mandates, NMU will still provide masks for those who are in need of a new one. KN95 masks will continue to be distributed free of charge to NMU students, faculty and staff at the Dean of Students Office in Hedgcock room 2001 during business hours or at the NMU Police Department 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Everyone on our campus has done an outstanding job following masking and testing protocols in our goal to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” Schuiling wrote. “The combined work of everyone enables us to make the masking changes. Thank you.”