UPDATE: Face Covering Protocol | May 20, 2021
Dear UTRGV Family,
On Tuesday, May 18, Governor Abbott issued Executive Order GA-36 stating: "No governmental entity, including a county, city, school district, and public health authority, and no government official may require any person to wear a face covering or to mandate that another person wear a face covering."
As a Texas public institution, UTRGV is subject to this new order and, effective immediately, will no longer require face coverings for students, faculty, staff and visitors at any university facility or event, indoors or outdoors.
Please remember that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting vaccinated is our best defense against COVID-19. In fact, the CDC announced last week that fully vaccinated individuals may "resume activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart, except where required." For CDC’s complete list of what fully vaccinated individuals may start doing, click here.
UTRGV encourages all students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated as soon as possible through the UTRGV Vaccine Portal or with an authorized vaccine provider of your choice.
Commitment to Safety and Success
Despite this change in our face covering protocol, UTRGV remains committed to your safety and success. While we may no longer require face coverings, the university strongly encourages all campus community members to:
- Continue to wear face coverings, especially those individuals who are not vaccinated.
- Continue to practice social distancing where such protocols currently apply.
- Continue to utilize effective practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
- Continue to follow the Daily Self-Screening/Reporting Process, and if you answer yes to any of the questions and/or feel ill, do not access campus and schedule a COVID-19 test immediately.
As always, thank you for your patience and understanding during this situation. We will continue to provide updates as further guidance is received.
If you have questions, please reach out to your supervisor or email coronavirus@utrgv.edu.