Updated as of May 13, 2021 at 8:39 p.m. to include information regarding state guidelines.
Fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear face masks or remain six feet apart from others in most indoor and outdoor settings, according to the Centers for Disease Control in an updated public health guidance on May 13.
According to a university spokesperson, the Ready & Resilient committee is reviewing the updated guidance by the CDC to see what changes can be made to the mask policy.
There are a number of settings in which individuals will still be required to wear masks — in healthcare settings or at businesses that require them — even if they are fully vaccinated.
The new recommendation outlines exceptions for buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters which will have significant impact as schools and businesses across the country reopen.
As the spring semester ends, students could see a change in their travel plans departing campus. The CDC said domestic travel may resume and individuals may refrain from testing before or after travel and self-quarantining after travel. Testing will not be required leaving the United States for international travel unless required by the intended destination. Self-quarantine upon returning to the U.S. will also not be required.
The advice said people should continue to get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and should adhere to CDC and health department travel recommendations and requirements.
According to the May 12 update from Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley, 81% of the Elon population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
It is unknown whether the new guidelines will impact classes and undergraduate graduation, scheduled for May 21.
According to Town Manager Richard Roedner, the town of Elon will continue to require masks inside town hall when the building opens again on June 7, and gathering limits will remain the same until graduation.
North Carolina’s mask mandate is still in place. Gov. Cooper announced April 21 that he anticipates lifting mandatory social distancing and mass gathering restrictions by June 1.