Mask mandate eliminated for UB buses

Passengers on UB buses are no longer required to wear a mask.

The change, recommended by UB’s health and safety committee, follows the lead of New York State, which earlier this month made masking optional while aboard all public transit during this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

UB in March lifted its campuswide mask mandate for most indoor and outdoor settings, but had continued to require masks on buses.

Only two exceptions remain:

• Masks are still required in clinical health care settings on campus, such as Student Health Services and dental school facilities.
• Individuals still will be asked to put on a mask while aboard UB shuttles to the Student Health Services center at 4350 Maple Road, near Sweet Home Road.

Anyone who wishes to still wear a mask on either the campus or university buses is encouraged to do so, especially if they are unvaccinated, immunocompromised or over the age of 50 and have not received the boosters for which they are eligible.

Despite the relaxing of COVID restrictions on campus, infectious disease experts remind the UB community to remain vigilant and continue to monitor their personal health.

“COVID is still with us, continues to be lethal for the most vulnerable, and a surge in cases is expected in the upcoming months,” says Thomas Russo, chief of infectious diseases in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

“We are now in the era of personal responsibility,” Russo says. “Please make sure you are up to date with your vaccinations and use masks judiciously, especially if you are at an increased risk for a bad outcome or live with such an individual.”

Russo also notes that an increased number of flu cases is anticipated this year, so receiving a flu vaccine is prudent, as well.

COVID-19 and flu vaccinations are available to the UB community through Nov. 10 at clinics on all three campuses organized by the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences:

• North Campus: Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Student Union lobby.

• South Campus: Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 105 Harriman Hall. The clinic will not be open on Oct. 26.

• Downtown Campus: Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2211A Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.