McMaster to pause mask mandate starting June 1

McMaster University says it is pausing its mask mandate as of June 1, following expert advice.

The university says it continues to strongly encourage people to wear a mask when indoors or in close proximity to others while outdoors, even though masks will not be required.

Also as of June 1, public reporting of COVID-19 cases on the Back to Mac website will be paused.

As of May 1, McMaster’s vaccination mandate was paused for staff, faculty, students and visitors.

People attending hospital sites or other health facilities still need to continue to follow current safety rules, including masking, active screening and vaccination.

“We wish to thank our students, faculty and staff for their ongoing diligence in following health and safety guidelines over the last two years,” said Susan Tighe, provost and vice-president Academic in a statement. “Thanks to your collective effort, and the improving course of the pandemic, we are able to continue our gradual return to a more regular state. We encourage our community to continue to be respectful of one another in our ongoing efforts to keep our campus safe.”

The university also says MacCheck is no longer required to be completed before attending a campus site, but students, faculty and staff are still required to use the Ontario COVID-19 Self-Assessment.