Salem State Goes 'Mask-Flexible' As COVID Cases Decline

SALEM, MA — The faces of Salem State University will reemerge in stages over the next two weeks as the school eases its strict masking policy at the behest of the state.

Salem State President John Keenan said in a message to the school community that the university recently received a letter from state Education Secretary James Peyser and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders "strongly encouraging campuses to transition back to 'near-normal conditions.'"

In response, Keenan said the campus will transition to what he called a "mask-flexible" environment starting with masks being optional in residence halls, dining halls and the fitness center this week, and then classrooms, offices and some events beginning on March 7.

Masks will still have to be worn while attending indoor athletic events, per conference regulations. Masks may also be required at some other indoor campus events depending in the event size.

"Our ability to transition to a mask-flexible environment is due to consistent, low positivity rates on our campus, coupled with a high vaccination rate among members of our campus community, and the continuation of our other mitigation strategies such as 75 percent occupancy," Keenan said. "Currently, less than 1 percent of those who are tested at our on-campus testing site are positive. This is down from a 25 percent positivity rate at the beginning of January."

Keenan said that between 92 and 97 percent of on-campus students and staff are vaccinated.

Students and staff are asked to bring masks with them throughout each day so that they will have them if they are required in a particular area.

Keenan said the university will continue to monitor virus metrics and adjust its policy accordingly.

"I would like to remind our community that vaccines remain our best protection against COVID-19 and that the COVID booster has been mandated on our campus for students and employees," Keenan said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)