Reminder: Monitor COVID-19 guidance

Amid rising COVID-19 case numbers in many communities, The Ohio State University is reminding students, faculty, staff and visitors to monitor guidance issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as state and local authorities to inform their personal health practices.

The city of Columbus and Franklin County are currently recommending the use of masks in all indoor spaces and any crowded outdoor situations, regardless of vaccination status. This aligns with CDC guidelines for communities with “high” COVID-19 levels, based on case levels, hospital bed use and hospital admissions.

The Lima and Mansfield campuses are also in counties currently with “high” COVID-19 community levels. As of July 29, the counties that include the Marion and Newark campuses are in the CDC’s “medium” community level, and CFAES Wooster is located in a “low” community level.

Individuals can check the guidelines for any county by using CDC’s COVID-19 County Check tool. Community levels are updated weekly.

People can choose to wear a mask at Ohio State at any time. The university’s mask-optional policy remains in place on our academic campuses, including classroom buildings and the Ohio Union. Masks are required in clinical health-care settings, child-care centers and COVID-19 testing locations. The Wexner Medical Center and Student Health Services have enhanced their mask requirements to include all areas of clinical buildings.

Please refer to Safe and Healthy Buckeyes for more information about Ohio State’s COVID-19 response and resources. Individuals should stay home if they are feeling sick and follow CDC guidelines if they test positive for COVID-19 or are exposed to someone with the virus.

The university’s COVID-19 response, including plans for the autumn semester, is always subject to change based on the state of the pandemic and guidance from federal, state and local authorities.