An update on campus masking policy

We are writing with an update on our campus masking policy, in accordance with the recent announcement of a change in policy from the City of Philadelphia. As of Monday, April 18, we will again require all members of and visitors to the Penn community to wear masks while indoors in public or shared spaces, and we strongly encourage masking now in all campus buildings, ahead of the city’s mandate. Exceptions to the masking requirement include single occupancy offices and shared spaces where 6-foot distancing can be maintained, with roommates in College Houses, and by permission in instructional settings for pedagogical reasons. As we head into a weekend of religious traditions where food and drink are shared with peers and family, we urge everyone to consider moving celebrations outdoors when it is possible and maintaining social distancing indoors when it is not.

As first indicated in our message of March 15, we are replacing Campus Alert Levels with new Levels of Protective Measures. Closely mirroring the Response Levels of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, this weekly guidance on masking, testing, and other facets of campus life will be communicated based on the city’s weekly assessments. As of today, we are at Alert Level 2: Heightened Awareness.

We thank you for your great partnership in our ongoing efforts to sustain our shared health and safety, and we look forward to seeing you at our many joyful campus celebrations in the weeks ahead.