Caltech's Indoor Masking Requirement Remains In Effect, Unchanged

To: The Campus Community 
From: Jennifer Howes, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Wellness
Date: February 11, 2022

While the state of California has announced its plans to lift the statewide mask mandate for vaccinated individuals in indoor spaces beginning next week, the Institute's mask policy and indoor masking requirement will remain fully in effect for all individuals on campus.

Caltech's policy, which follows the requirements put forth by local health authorities, requires that all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, wear a well-fitted, medical grade mask—which includes surgical masks or N95, KN95, or KF94 respirators—in indoor spaces. Students are also required to continue to wear N95 respirators in all instructional spaces, including outdoor classrooms.

The state's action to lift its mandate affects counties that do not have mask mandates of their own.

In Los Angeles County, the county's mask mandate is expected to last through at least early March. Los Angeles County public health officials have said the county's mask mandate will be lifted when transmission rates in the county drop below 730 new COVID cases a day for two consecutive weeks, or when eight weeks have elapsed since children ages 6 months to 4 years have become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, transmission rates are averaging around 4,000 new cases daily.

Pasadena Public Health officials have also said that they expect to coordinate any change to its masking requirements with the county.

The Institute will continue to consult with local health authorities on the campus' preventative measures and will proceed in a manner that supports the health and well-being of the campus community. We will update the community on any changes to protocols or to preventative health measures.