Where mask requirements stand at Cincinnati colleges, universities

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With COVID-19 levels on the rise in the Cincinnati region, some colleges and universities are changing their mask requirements ahead of the school year.Below is a breakdown of each college and university and their current requirements.UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI Due to the high level of COVID-19 cases, masks will be required in all buildings of the college of medicine. Face masks will be required at all times except when alone in an enclosed office or when eating.Classes within the College of Medicine will continue in person, but face masks will be required in class.The requirement only impacts the college of medicine. Face mask requirements have been lifted for UC faculty, staff, students and visitors in all other buildings and spaces but are subject to change.Masks will continue to be required on UC public transportation, in clinical settings and for at least ten days after an exposure to COVID-19 or a COVID-19 diagnosis, regardless of vaccination status.XAVIER UNIVERSITYAccording to the university’s website, masks are not required in public, indoor spaces like classrooms and common areas. While masks are not required indoors, all community members are welcome to continue wearing a mask. Should circumstances require a change in masking expectations, the University will communicate expectations accordingly. NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITYNKU officials are recommending students and staff wear masks while indoors and to meet virtually when possible MIAMI UNIVERSITYMiami officials say there is no universal requirement but encourages people to follow CDC guidelines for the county, which are updated weekly. Currently, the risk level is high, meaning the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors, regardless of vaccine status.OHIO UNIVERSITYOhio University is implementing an indoor mask mandate at its Athens campus due to high COVID-19 levels.The university said that based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Community levels, the Athens Campus is currently at a high COVID-19 community level, so due to the current high level, masks will be required in all indoor spaces on campus starting Aug. 1.The university follows the CDC community levels with its masking policies. Their category lists that when COVID-19 levels are high, masks are required in all indoor public spaces on Ohio campuses.When the community level shows medium risk, masks are recommended during scheduled class and class-related activities in classrooms, laboratories, studios, clinical settings, other learning spaces and the Child Development Center.When the risk is low, masks will be optional. Currently, all but two of Ohio University’s campuses are at a high-risk level. The university’s Eastern and Lancaster campuses are at a medium level.The risk levels are updated weekly, so the university said the requirements are subject to change depending on the risk level.To read more about the university’s policies, click here.OHIO STATE UNIVERSITYIn the latest update on their website, Ohio State University states masks remain optional in most indoor spaces and the COVID-19 vaccine is still required for all students, faculty and staff. Read more in the Ohio State News alert. MOUNT ST. JOSEPH UNIVERSITYMount St. Joseph states its mask requirement follows the CDC community risk level, which is currently at high risk. That means masks are required indoors at all locations on campus.