Governor Cuomo has announced that New York State has reached the milestone of 70 percent of adults over the age of 18 having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. With that, the state is lifting most state-mandated COVID-19 guidance, giving businesses and institutions the freedom to apply safety measures on an individual basis. Colleges and universities like Bard, where there is congregate living and some higher risk activities such as singing, are working with State authorities to observe the updated guidance while retaining and adjusting some necessary restrictions specific to our individual circumstances.
Vaccination Milestone and Easing Mandates
Bard has also reached its own milestone of 85 percent of campus community members fully vaccinated. The College’s 85 percent threshold is in line with the CDC’s recommendation for herd immunity for COVID-19, and also reflects the threshold set by some other institutions. Now that we have met our threshold we can begin to lift some of the College’s mandates:
Bard’s mask mandate, already lifted for outdoor activities for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, will now be lifted for vaccinated employees working indoors on campus. Effective immediately, vaccinated individuals may choose to go unmasked inside campus facilities. This new guidance applies only to vaccinated individuals; any unvaccinated individuals must still wear masks indoors. Please note that some facilities and activities, such as Fisher Center and SummerScape events, may still require masking. Your supervisor or program director will advise you if your facility or program requires special protocols due to its specific circumstances.
Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Off campus, the State of New York has made mask-wearing optional for vaccinated people.