Promoting a safe campus environment for our students, employees and visitors has remained a top priority for The University of Toledo throughout the pandemic.
With the highly contagious delta variant now accounting for a majority of new COVID-19 cases in the United States, UToledo is joining its peers across Ohio and will again require masks indoors on campus.
The new protocol — which is in line with updated guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for communities with high transmission rates — applies to everyone, regardless of their vaccination status and is effective immediately.
Individuals are not required to wear masks while alone in their office or while eating. Masks are not required outdoors. The University continues to follow CDC guidance that people should wear masks on public transportation, including campus bus service.
To mitigate the spread of the virus, the University also will significantly expand its COVID-19 surveillance testing program this fall.
All students who live or attend class on campus will be required to participate in the University’s weekly asymptomatic testing program if selected unless they voluntarily provide the University proof of being fully vaccinated.
There are a limited number of exemptions, including religious and medical exemptions. Students who decline testing without documentation of a qualifying exemption may be subject to discipline under the UToledo Student Code of Conduct.
Participation in the surveillance testing is recommended for employees. Faculty and staff can opt out of the weekly selection process if they voluntarily provide proof of vaccination.
Students and employees can upload proof of vaccination against COVID-19 through the University’s vaccine registry portal.
Additionally, all residential students will be scheduled for a no-cost rapid antigen test on campus prior to moving into their assigned residence hall. This is required regardless of their vaccination status.
At this time, the COVID-19 vaccine is not required by the University but it is highly encouraged to advance the health and safety of our employees, students, families and patients. Vaccines remain highly effective at preventing serious illness from COVID. The revised mask guidance is to prevent vaccinated individuals from spreading the delta variant to others.
Information about where to get vaccinated on or off campus is available on the University’s coronavirus website.
The University continues to monitor and respond to changes in guidance from public health officials and state lawmakers.
