Effective March 28, 2022:

1. Face coverings are optional across the property of and in the facilities of the University of Maine System both indoors and outdoors regardless of vaccination status. We have determined that off-campus locations for UMaine Extension programming would fall under this criteria as well, such as volunteer’s homes for 4-H club meetings, events taking place at other locations, etc.
2. Face coverings continue to be welcomed when individuals choose to wear them as a matter of personal choice. There may be certain exceptions related to security-sensitive circumstances or other matters when face coverings must be removed but, in general, the wearing of face coverings may not be prohibited. Face masks should continue to be available at in-person events for participants.

Exceptions to the optional face-covering protocol:

• Face coverings continue to be required in all classrooms, research spaces, and instructional circumstances (this would include these spaces in extension county offices, units, and 4-H camp and learning centers) unless the requirement is waived by the relevant faculty or staff member that is responsible for the space and/or the program.
• Face coverings continue to be required when a person or persons are visiting an individual office space unless the primary occupant of the space or host of the meeting waives the requirement.
• Face coverings continue to be required when recommended by the U.S. CDC in connection with exposure to or during recovery from a confirmed positive case of COVID-19.
• Face coverings may continue to be required at any indoor university events open to the public (i.e., events open to individuals beyond students, staff, and faculty) as follows:
• For indoor events of more than 75 persons, face coverings are required unless proof of vaccination or a negative test is required as a condition of entrance, in which case face coverings can be optional as determined by the organizing authority. (Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative test already is required at indoor University events of more than 250 persons, meaning face coverings can be optional at such events as determined by the organizing authority.
• For indoor events of 75 or fewer persons, face coverings are optional.
• Face coverings may continue to be required by organizers of specific events or activities indoors or outdoors as determined by the organizing authority. Individuals should be prepared to wear a face-covering if requested to do so.

For more information about face coverings, vaccination requirements, and other such protocols, please visit the UMS Community Guidance For Everyone page.

For contact information for your local county UMaine Extension office, visit the County Offices page.