UArizona to join ASU, NAU in dropping mask mandate

PHOENIX — UArizona will be the final of the state’s three public universities to stop requiring masks on campus when the updated policy goes into effect in a week.

President Robert Robbins announced Monday the policy switch would happen March 21 if the university’s case counts this week — the first following spring break — were similar to Pima County and the rest of the state.

Just 1% of the nearly 3,500 COVID tests administered over the past 10 days yielded a positive result, according to the school’s dashboard.

“As these changes go into place, I want to again emphasize the importance of compassion for one another, especially for those who are most vulnerable to this virus,” Robbins said.

Masks will still be required on the Tucson university’s public transit, Cat Tran, and in locations where patients or clinical research subjects are seen.

Robbins added that UArizona could adjust its protocols if transmission levels increase.

The announcement comes on the same day Arizona State University dropped its mask requirement.

Northern Arizona University went away from mandatory masking on March 7.

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