Pitt, Penn State restarting mask requirements because of covid transmission levels

The University of Pittsburgh and Penn State are requiring people on campus to wear masks when they are indoors at campuses in certain counties.

The move comes as a result of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designating those counties as having a high level of covid-19 transmission.

The requirement is in effect at the University of Pittsburgh’s main campus in Oakland and branch campuses in Westmoreland near Greensburg and another at Titusville, Crawford County, until further notice.

For now, masks will remain optional at Pitt’s Johnstown campus in Richland, Cambria County, and at the Bradford campus.

Penn State said Friday its requirements for indoor masking will begin Tuesday at its main campus at University Park and its branch campuses at Penn State New Kensington in Upper Burrell, in Beaver County and at Greater Allegheny in McKeesport.

As other counties are identified as having high covid levels by the CDC, campuses in those counties also will convert to required masking, in accordance with CDC guidance, said Wyatt DuBois, a Penn State spokesman.

The CDC rates level of community transmission on scales of low, medium or high. The CDC determines those levels based on hospital beds being used by covid-infected patients, hospital admissions and the total number of new covid cases in an area. Those community levels of transmission are updated weekly on Thursdays.

The agency reiterated its recommendations that the public stay up-to-date on their covid vaccines and to get tested if they have symptoms. People at high risks for severe illness from covid should take additional precautions.