Protocols: High COVID-19 Community Transmission Levels

Posted By: Deborah Nahrgang On: 2022-05-18
Posted On: 2022-05-18

As has been our practice throughout the pandemic, we have continued to monitor the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health.  Winona and Olmsted counties are at HIGH COVID-19 community transmission levels, according to the most recent data from the CDC.  For communities with high COVID-19 community transmission levels, the CDC recommends that individuals wear a well-fitted mask indoors in public. 

We are strongly encouraging Rochester Campus students and employees to wear a well-fitted mask in classes. Faculty still have the discretion to require masks in their classes.  

We are also strongly encouraging Winona Campus students and employees to wear a well-fitted mask in the Fitzgerald Library. 

At this time, we ask Winona and Rochester Campus employees to consider meeting virtually when feasible and workable.

All Winona and Rochester Campus employees should exercise caution when out and about in public. Please consider wearing a well-fitted mask when running errands, meeting with others off-campus, etc.

The university supports everyone who chooses to wear a mask, even when it is not required. Everyone is expected to respect individual choices about masking, remembering, for example, that people may choose to mask because they are simply uncomfortable without a mask, they are immuno-compromised, or they have small children or others at home who cannot be vaccinated.

We are grateful for how we, as a university, continue to weather this pandemic with kindness and respect for one another.

Together we are Saint Mary’s. Together we are stronger.