Student Health Services announced on Thursday that it will recommend visitors in the building to wear masks while in public spaces and clinical areas.
Officials said this is a request — not a mandate — and will not apply to other parts of campus.
Student Health Services made the decision based on the recommendations of South Carolina DHEC, which has adopted the CDC's guidance on masking based on COVID-19 community level, Delandous Haynes, the director of public relations and marketing for Student Health Services, said in an email to The Daily Gamecock. Richland and Lexington County are currently high, which represents the highest impact of COVID-19 in the area.
"In communities with high levels of COVID-19, masking is recommended in indoor settings, including schools and workplaces," according to the DHEC webpage.
The university announced through email that it would stop requiring masks on campus on Feb. 22, 2022 after "a dramatically reduced presence of COVID-19." In the following months, the university stopped reporting COVID-19 cases and no longer required monthly testing.
COVID-19 at-home tests are available at the student health services pharmacy for students, faculty and staff to purchase. South Carolina DHEC also provides free rapid at-home tests.
- Editor's note: This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.