Roane State ends COVID-19 mask requirement for fully vaccinated

Roane State Community College is ending its face mask requirement for people who are fully vaccinated. The college also ended its daily wellness screening requirement on campus on Monday.

The changes are updates to the college’s pandemic response plan as COVID-19 cases decline in the area, state, and nation.

“These changes follow updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued on May 13,” Roane State said in a press release. “Over the next few weeks, Roane State will be working to implement these new protocols within its response plan and communicate changes to the campus community.”

Until further notice, Roane State will maintain some of the preventive measures put in place during the pandemic in order to keep campuses as safe as possible. Protocols that will remain in place include:

• Self-reporting of positive COVID-19 test results to the college
• Contact tracing performed by the college’s COVID-19 response team
• Regular cleaning of classrooms, labs, and other communal areas
• Social distancing recommendations
• Remote work for some college employees

Roane State students, employees, and visitors should also continue to practice frequent hand washing to prevent the spread of illnesses, the press release said. If you experience any symptoms, even if you have been vaccinated against COVID-19, you should not come to campus.

Following the latest guidance from the CDC, the Tennessee Board of Regents recommends anyone who has not yet been vaccinated do so as soon as possible. TBR is also highly encouraging those who have not been fully vaccinated to continue to wear a mask and to engage in social distancing, both to protect themselves and others, the press release said. The CDC guidance, “When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated,” contains other important information and is available here: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html.

The CDC recently announced that most people who have been fully vaccinated don’t have to wear a mask in most situations.

Additional updates from Roane State regarding its pandemic response plan can be found online at roanestate.edu/coronavirus. Questions can be directed to the college by emailing them to [email protected].