The following message was sent to all university students, faculty and staff on Nov. 24, 2020.

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Duke has for many months required a mask or face covering in all outdoor settings where social distancing measures cannot be maintained and at all times in shared spaces indoors.

Now it’s required across the state at all times.

A new executive order issued by Governor Cooper requires face covering be worn indoors and outdoors across the state. Law enforcement officers may now cite individuals who fail to wear face coverings, as well as businesses or organizations that fail to enforce the requirement.

The order includes the use of face coverings in outdoor areas where it is not possible to consistently be physically distant by more than six feet, including when exercising outdoors or indoors with non-household members.

On Duke property, this includes all indoor recreational facilities, as well as outdoor areas such as the Al Buehler and East Campus trails, the Duke golf course, Duke Forest, and other areas where people congregate. Student-athletes are excluded from the requirement while playing or practicing.

The order, which remains in effect through Dec. 11, 2020, was issued to help address the rapid increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations in North Carolina.  A number of counties across the state are seeing health care systems strained by the increase in COVID cases and infection rates are rising in virtually every county.

Duke has been fortunate and successful this semester thanks to the hard work and vigilance of our students, faculty and staff.  We strongly encourage you to apply the same vigilance as you celebrate the Thanksgiving and the winter holidays so we can, once again, be Duke United.

Kyle Cavanaugh,
Vice President, Administration