Masks will no longer be required on the Lawrence and Edwards campuses according to an email to KU students, staff, and faculty from Chancellor Douglas Girod. 

The email cites CDC guidelines adopted by Kansas that say vaccinated individuals can go without masks and resume pre-pandemic activities without social distancing. 

There will be no difference in mask requirements between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. However, the email says unvaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to wear a mask and continue to practice social distancing.

Masks will still be required for all individuals when using public transportation and visiting campus medical facilities.

The Chancellor’s email also encourages people to get vaccinated. “The fact is, vaccines dramatically reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread and severe illness,” the email said.

The email also said there will be student-specific efforts to encourage vaccinations in the fall semester and the Lawrence and Edwards campuses will also be moving to level 2 “moderate” density.

“In practical terms, this means you can expect to see larger events – such as student orientation – and more employees returning to campus in the days ahead,” the email said.

The Protect KU guidelines define level 1 density a “fully open campus” and level 5 density as a “mostly closed campus.”