Dear Brown Community Members,

As we have recently communicated, Providence County is considered a higher risk area according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 Community Levels risk assessment. Consistent and expected with that assessment, at Brown over the past several days we have experienced an increase in students reporting positive test results for COVID-19. Of particular concern is a cluster of positive test results reported by medical  students who attended an event on Friday, May 20, at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Students who attended that event are advised, if they have not already done so, to take a rapid antigen test and monitor for symptoms.

Given the high volume of activity and visitors and guests on campus in the coming days for Commencement and Reunion Weekend, we have determined, in consultation with and following the recommendations of the Rhode Island Department of Health, that the following requirements and protocols are necessary to support public health and safety:

• Effective immediately, and until further notice, we are reinstituting the requirement that all individuals – regardless of vaccination status – must wear a well-fitting KN95, KF94, N95 or disposable/surgical mask indoors, unless in a private, non-shared space (e.g., office or dorm room) or when actively eating or drinking.

• The indoor mask requirement applies to all University-sponsored events, on and off campus, taking place during Commencement and Reunion Weekend and to all attendees: faculty, students, staff, families, visitors, guests and vendors.

• Masks can be removed indoors by a speaker while making a presentation or delivering a speech.

• We strongly advise individuals to take a rapid antigen test prior to attending large indoor gatherings.

• Brown community members, visitors and guests should not attend any University events or functions if they test positive for COVID-19 and/or are experiencing potential symptoms of COVID-19.

The test kit pick-up site at Alumnae Hall will be open this weekend from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday - operating hours can be found on the testing page of the Healthy Brown website. Updated campus health protocols can be found on the Campus Activity Status website.

Sincerely,

Russell C. Carey
Executive Vice President, Planning and Policy