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Northland Drops Mask Mandate

Northland Drops Mask Mandate

Northland is making masks optional for students, employees, and visitors inside campus facilities starting Monday, March 7.

March 4, 2022 – March 7 will be a bigger date than just the Monday of spring break. It will also mark the end of Northland’s mask mandate, which has been in place nearly continuously since the arrival of the coronavirus almost two years ago. Northland is making masks optional for students, employees, and visitors inside campus facilities starting Monday, March 7.

Many schools around the region have been rolling back COVID-19 restrictions, and Northland students now can count themselves among them. The easing of protocols is a giant step towards pre-pandemic normalcy on campus after nearly two years of requiring the donning of face coverings. When students return from spring break, they will no longer be required to wear a mask in classrooms or on campus.

Northland President Dr. Sandy Kiddoo made the campus-wide announcement on Friday, March 4, as the number of COVID-19 cases in the region continues to drop. She cited declining numbers in Polk and Pennington counties bringing the area into the CDC’s medium risk level.

“Through the consistent and collective efforts of our entire college community, we now have reached a point where we can safely update our mask guidelines,” Kiddoo said.

Masking will remain optional for all students, staff, and faculty who wish to continue the practice.

“Each person should decide at their own pace what is best for their health and personal risk,” stated Kiddoo. “Those who feel more comfortable or safe while wearing a face-covering are encouraged to continue doing so at their discretion. All members of the college community are reminded to be patient and show respect for the personal decision each person makes with respect to face coverings.”

President Kiddoo says the college will continue monitoring the pandemic to ensure the campus remains as safe as possible.