The University of Nebraska–Lincoln will eliminate all remaining requirements for wearing face masks in classrooms when Lincoln-Lancaster County’s COVID-19 Risk Dial shifts into a “green” status.

The pending change was announced by Chancellor Ronnie Green in a March 20 video message to the university community. Click the video above to learn more.

“In the near future, we expect Lancaster County will be able to move into a “Green” category, signifying a minimal risk of COVID-19,” Green said. “At that time, any remaining requirements for face masks in specific classroom settings will be lifted.”

The change comes as local trends continue to show minimal transition of the virus in the community, campus spread remains low and experts at the Centers for Disease Control are currently not closely monitoring a COVID-19 variant of concern.

Green pledged that that the university would continue to safeguard the university based on science and guidance from health officials.

“Science has given us many tools to fight this virus — effective vaccines, better monitoring and treatments to lessen the impacts of the disease,” Green said. “As we have done throughout this pandemic, we will continue to be guided by the science, data and our public health experts.”

Details on the elimination of required mask use on campus will be announced when Lincoln-Lancaster County officials announce that the COVID-19 Risk Dial has moved into “green” status.

Mask use on campus is currently not broadly required and limited to a handful of classrooms. Learn more about the university’s current COVID-19 response.

The university community is asked to continue to show grace to fellow Huskers, particularly when it comes to individual decisions on mask use.