May 18, 2021
K-State updates face covering guidance for outdoor settings, effective May 18
Submitted by Division of Communications and Marketing
Effective May 18, Kansas State University will change the face covering guidance for fully vaccinated individuals in outdoor settings, eliminating the physical distancing and face covering requirements for outdoor events. Mask requirements for indoor spaces will not change at this time, pending clarification of CDC guidelines.
Effective May 18, the new university policy effective will be:
Everyone — faculty, staff, students, contractors, vendors and visitors — still must wear face coverings over their mouths and noses in all indoor spaces while you are on university property unless you are alone in your own private office or workspace. Fully vaccinated people may participate in outdoor activities and recreation without a mask.
The university will review the updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the use of face coverings and physical distancing by vaccinated individuals. Any changes to university policy will be announced by mid-June.
Those who remain unvaccinated are the most vulnerable to the COVID-19 infection. Those not vaccinated should still follow isolation and quarantine protocols. The university strongly encourages all students, faculty and staff who can receive the COVID-19 vaccination, to do so.
Lafene Health Center continues to offer COVID-19 vaccination for K-State students, faculty and staff members. Single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be offered until Friday, May 21. Appointments are required and can be made on the myLafene+ patient portal or by calling Lafene Health Center at 785-532-6544.
In addition, the Riley County Health Department is offering upcoming vaccine clinics on May 20 and May 25. This includes a youth clinic on May 20 at Cico Park with online registration available. The May 25 clinic will be held at the Riley County Office Building. Call the Riley County Health Department at 785-565-6560 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays to register for either clinic.
For those in other parts of the state, Kansas also offers a Find My Vaccine website.
The university also has adopted guidance eliminating the need for fully vaccinated individuals to quarantine following COVID-19 exposure, should they meet defined criteria. Read more about the vaccine, guidance for vaccinated individuals, and the current university face covering guidance.