Face masks are now optional while actively exercising in Recreation & Wellness facilities

Effective Monday (Nov. 1), face masks will be optional for anyone while actively exercising in all Purdue University Recreation & Wellness facilities. The updated policy reflects a continued commitment to follow the latest scientific information to keep the campus healthy, safe, open, and active by adhering to Protect Purdue protocols.

Face masks are still required during all other activities within Recreation & Wellness facilities: when entering and exiting, spectating at intramurals, attending other types of events, while in locker rooms, etc.

“This is another important step in the direction of normalcy made possible by the community’s commitment to protect Purdue,” says Esteban Ramirez, Protect Purdue Health Center’s chief medical officer. “Through relaxing the face mask requirement when actively exercising in our indoor facilities, we are continuing to evaluate all COVID-19 protocols to constantly strike an appropriate balance between safety and inconveniences for the Purdue community. We will continue to evaluate all current safety protocols in light of scientific evidence.”

Masks are currently required inside all campus buildings, regardless of vaccination status. Full Protect Purdue masking protocols are available online. Violations of these protocols will be considered violations of the Protect Purdue Pledge and will be subject to disciplinary action. As with all Protect Purdue protocols, this policy is subject to change.

More than 48,200 members, or 87%, of the Purdue community of 55,456 have documented their status as fully vaccinated against COVID-19, ranking among the top 2% most-vaccinated areas in Indiana. An on-campus vaccine clinic also is open at the Co-Rec from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are also available to members of the Purdue University community to those who are eligible.