Face coverings will be optional on Auburn University’s campus starting next Wednesday, the University announced in an email Friday afternoon. 

The University’s indoor mask requirement, which has been in effect since Dec. 21, 2021, will expire on Feb. 23, although face coverings will still be required in health care settings, on University transportation such as the Tiger Transit and “other areas marked by official university signage or otherwise clearly communicated by the university,” according to the email.

Faculty members may also require individuals to wear face coverings during classes, but only if the faculty member has a “face coverings requirement” in the course syllabus.

The policy is in effect until further notice, according to the email. 

Auburn is on the tail end of a spike in COVID-19 cases reported on campus that peaked during the week of Jan. 10-16, when 445 individuals reported testing positive for COVID-19, according to the Auburn University COVID-19 Resource Center. 

Seventy-seven students, employees or contractors reported testing positive for COVID-19 during the week of Feb. 7-13. At the Auburn University Medical Clinic, 19.5% of all COVID-19 tests during the same week returned a positive result.