Colleagues,
As promised in earlier messages, IUP’s leadership team and the COVID-19 Planning Group continue to monitor information from the Centers for Disease Control related to COVID-19.
As of today, Armstrong, Indiana, and Jefferson counties are classified as having a medium COVID-19 Community Level, which is a measure of the illness’s impact on health and health-care systems in that area.
However, the CDC has assigned Allegheny County, home to IUP Pittsburgh East, a high COVID-19 Community Level.
At this time, we are not changing our current mask policy for IUP facilities, including Pittsburgh East. However, we encourage all members of the IUP community who prefer to wear a mask to do so.
Individual, personal choice to wear a mask or face covering is the expectation for all members of the community and for visitors. Free masks continue to be provided at all IUP buildings and facilities.
If you are concerned or in doubt, wear a mask to protect yourself and others.
The expectation also remains that every member of the university community understands, supports, and follows requests for masking in an individual’s personal space (individual offices or residence hall rooms).
IUP continues to follow the CDC recommendation regarding masks for individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19.
The situation is extremely fluid. If there is a shift in the pandemic in our community and the CDC provides updated recommendations related to face coverings or other mitigation efforts, IUP policies will change accordingly.
The well-being of the IUP community remains our priority and our guiding principle. We will make new decisions as needed to keep the community healthy and safe.
In addition to providing free masks, IUP will continue to follow the CDC-recommended cleaning and sanitation procedures in our buildings.
While the IUP Health Service is not open for patient care during the summer months, a number of Indiana County community resources are available for testing, vaccinations, and care.
IUP’s COVID-19 Response Plan website also offers a great deal of information.
Information about COVID-19 resources in Allegheny County is available on the Allegheny County Health Department’s COVID-19 website. Resources for Armstrong County and Jefferson County also are available online.
It is important for everyone to understand that this pandemic is not yet over. Please continue to be vigilant, take care of yourself, and support and take care of one another.