We continue to monitor our shared progress in lowering the COVID positivity rate on campus. We are very pleased that the campus positivity rate, as posted today on the University Dashboard, is now at a remarkably low 0.97%.
As a result, we are now taking the next step in lifting the restrictions that were implemented temporarily on January 12. Double masking or wearing a KN95/KF94/N95 mask is no longer required in campus buildings. The city of Philadelphia continues to require masks in indoor public places and has established specific metrics to determine when it will end that mandate. We therefore still require masking in campus buildings and strongly encourage you to wear a surgical mask or KN95/KF94/N95 mask, as these masks have been shown to be more effective than cloth masks.
February 28 is the deadline for those who are eligible for a booster to upload your information to Workday or the Student Health Portal. We remind you that—to further encourage participation in testing and documentation—we are sponsoring ongoing competitions, until February 28, for both undergraduate and graduate/professional students.
We are grateful to every member of the Penn community for these highly positive trends. We are actively assessing our campus policies, and we will continue to update you as the situation moves forward.