Due to the high infection rate in our service area counties and the state, Ozarka College will require face masks in all college classrooms, offices, and other indoor facilities as we begin the fall semester, President Dr. Richard Dawe announced in a statement released to the Ozarka campus community and website on Monday.
Considering the ongoing rise of infections in Ozarka’s service area and a commitment to keep students, staff, faculty, and visitors healthy and safe, the College administration determined the need to reinstate the indoor mask requirement, effective immediately.
The decision comes after the Ozarka administration team met Monday morning to review local COVID statistics and determine appropriate protocols to begin the fall semester with regard to the health and safety of all students, staff, faculty, and visitors.
“Given the recent uptick in COVID infections locally, the college is taking a deliberate step to reinstate masking indoors on all campuses,” said Dr. Dawe. “It is our highest priority to do all within our means to ensure we provide a safe and healthy environment for learning. Once we feel confident with local statistics, we will relax mask restrictions as appropriate.”
The college administration will continue to closely monitor local infection rates among other state and local data. Ozarka will adjust restrictions in accordance with COVID indicators.
If you have yet to be immunized against COVID-19, White River Now urges you to talk to your trusted local physician or pharmacist about the COVID-19 vaccine.
For COVID-19 information from the Arkansas Department of Health, click here.
For information from local physicians about COVID-19 vaccines, click here.
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