The president of the Iowa Board of Regents announced Thursday that he has lifted the state of emergency at the three regents institutions — the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa. The restrictions have been in place since March 18, 2020, a day after Gov. Kim Reynolds issued the public health emergency declaration for the pandemic.

“Effective immediately, faculty, staff, students and visitors to campus will not be required to wear a mask or other face covering,” Regents President Michael Richards said in a news release. However, the mandate still applies to campus buses, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, veterinary medicine facilities, research laboratories, and any other health care setting. Unvaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to continue to wear a mask or other appropriate face-covering while on campus.

Effective July 1, all faculty and staff are required to return to campus to the extent that their pre-pandemic employment responsibilities required.

Effective for the fall 2021 semester, the universities are required to return to offering in-person academic coursework and educational experiences. They may continue to explore hybrid or distance learning academic coursework and educational experiences in consultation with the Board of Regents and in accordance with regents policy.

Physical distancing requirements have been lifted so that effective immediately, classrooms and other campus spaces will operate at their normal capacity. Faculty, staff, students and visitors to campus will not be required to maintain physical distancing. This guideline does not apply to UIHC, veterinary medicine facilities, research laboratories, or any other health care setting. Unvaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to continue to physically distance from others when possible.

All members of the campus community are encouraged to receive a vaccination against COVID-19. The universities will continue to ensure vaccine availability to faculty, staff and students either through vaccination opportunities on campus or in partnership with external providers.