Public colleges in the area have stopped requiring people to wear masks on campus or in college buildings as of Monday.

Minot State University made mask use discretionary but faculty members who are teaching in-person classes can continue to require students to wear masks if they so choose.

Williston State College announced that mask use on campus and in campus facilities will now be discretionary, according to information provided by the college. The college will continue to supply disposable masks to employees and at major entrance points.

Dakota College at Bottineau has also made mask use discretionary as of Monday but is urging people who have not been fully vaccinated to continue to wear masks. It will also continue to supply disposable face masks at the main entrances to Thatcher Hall and the Nelson Science Center. It has lifted the limitations on event and room capacities. All other policies will return to those in effect prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and the campus will be fully open to the public as of June 1.

The policies at all of the campuses were updated based on the Center for Disease Control’s guidance announced last Thursday that states people who have been vaccinated no longer need to wear masks indoors or outdoors.

Those who have not been vaccinated are still recommended to wear the masks to protect against transmission of COVID-19.

Mike Linnell, director of university communications at MSU, said MSU had originally intended to make mask use optional as of June 1 but moved up the policy change after the CDC’s announcement last week.