The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all individuals—vaccinated and unvaccinated—wear face coverings in public indoor spaces in any county where the COVID-19 transmission rate is substantial or high.

During the last weekend in July, cases in Hennepin and Ramsey counties moved to a “substantial” transmission rate (between 50 and 99.99 cases per 100,000 population over 7 days, as defined by the CDC). As a result, Augsburg reinstated the indoor face covering requirement, effective August 3.

All students, staff, and faculty are required to wear face coverings in indoor campus spaces, except when eating in dining areas or when in one’s own residential unit or individual office with the door closed. This applies to all U.S. Augsburg locations. (International Augsburg locations are following local protocols.) Masks or face coverings are not required outdoors. 

The indoor mask requirement is expected to remain in effect until regional case rates return to moderate or low levels. Augsburg has added the 7-day regional case rate for Hennepin and Ramsey counties to its COVID-19 dashboard report, which is updated weekly. 

With the increasing prevalence of the significantly more transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant, Augsburg will continue to adapt its public health protocols this fall based on campus case and vaccination rates, regional transmission rates, and other factors on campus. 

While masks or face coverings provide an important additional layer of protection during times when transmission levels are significant, the most important protection against severe illness from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. That’s why Augsburg remains committed to supporting individuals who would like information about or help with COVID-19 vaccinations. Information provided will remain confidential to the Augsburg COVID-19 Response Team.