Dear Brown Community Members,

With low COVID-19 positivity rates on campus and near-universal vaccination, I am writing to inform the Brown community of several modifications to our indoor mask wearing requirements, effective immediately. The modified policy can be found on the Healthy Brown website’s Campus Activity Status page and includes the following highlights:

• Modified Masking for Indoor Lectures. We have extended the exception currently in place for fully vaccinated instructors to have the choice to remove masks in classes to also be permitted to remove their masks in some other settings. Specifically, fully vaccinated lecturers may choose to remove their mask (though they are not required to do so) when they are speaking during the course of their remarks/presentation at events sponsored by academic or administrative departments and/or student organizations, including training and instructional sessions administered by administrative departments. In the case of a lecture panel, panelists should only remove their mask when speaking. Audience members must wear masks throughout the lecture, including when asking questions of the lecturer.

• Modified Masking for Indoor Performances. Fully vaccinated performers, including students, in theater productions, dance performances, music performances, a cappella concerts, and other similar performance events (including rehearsals for performance events) may choose to remove their mask (though they are not required to do so) when they are performing. This modification applies to solo as well as group performances, although in the case of group performances (and rehearsals) reasonable caution should be exercised to reduce the risk of transmission through measures such as limiting the time of unmasked performance, providing space where possible for social distancing between unmasked performers, and requiring mask wearing for individuals when they are not actively performing or rehearsing. Audience members must wear masks throughout the performance.

• Modified Masking for Indoor Athletic and Recreation Activities. Fully vaccinated individuals may choose to remove their masks (though they are not required to do so) when they are engaged in indoor athletic and recreation activities. This includes varsity athletic practice and competition, club and intramural athletic competition, and use of indoor facilities such as the Nelson Fitness Center. Care should be taken to wear masks when not actively engaged in athletic, recreation and fitness activities (after use of cardio equipment, moving within the facility, in locker rooms, etc.)

Given our community’s ongoing vigilance that has sustained low positivity rates on campus, as well as high vaccination levels, we feel comfortable making these changes now. Mask wearing in other indoor settings remains required for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, as detailed on the Campus Activity Status page. We will continuously monitor public health conditions and guidance, and make further changes when possible. In the meantime, I would continue to urge all members of the community to adhere rigorously to the mask wearing requirements both for your individual and our collective health. In particular, please be respectful of and cooperate with staff in settings like the University Library, Stephen Robert ‘62 Campus Center, Dining Services and elsewhere when they may need to remind you from time to time to wear your mask inside those facilities.

Sincerely,

Russell C. Carey
Executive Vice President, Planning and Policy