Lewis-Clark State to adopt mask-optional protocol next semester

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Lewis-Clark State College President Cynthia Pemberton says the school will move to a mask-optional protocol in classrooms, office and interior building spaces beginning Jan. 3rd.

Lewis-Clark State College President Cynthia Pemberton

The college’s testing strategy will remain in place through January to help monitor the success of the move.

Pemberton said the modification in COVID-19 prevention strategy partly results from a campus-wide survey that indicated 77 percent were comfortable implementing the protocol immediately; 80 percent as of Jan. 3rd; and 89 pending a successful spring semester.

According to the president, 71 percent of employees have been vaccinated and student vaccination rates run between 40 and 60 percent.

Mask-optional means faculty and staff members can direct whether masks will be worn in classrooms and individual or share office spaces. The college recommends people exercise mask-optional judgment as part of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.