MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Marquette University announced Tuesday, March 1, due to the continued decline in community transmission and Marquette’s high vaccination and booster rates, masks will be optional indoors on campus effective Wednesday, March 2.

According to a news release from MU, masks continue to be required in university health care settings (including on-campus clinics), on-campus COVID-19 testing sites and the Marquette Child Care Center, until further notice.

Marquette University says while there is no longer an indoor mask requirement on campus, any community member who feels more comfortable wearing a mask is encouraged to do so. Individuals may choose to wear a mask for a wide variety of reasons, and the Marquette community is urged to demonstrate our Guiding Values by being respectful.

As of March 1, the campus positivity rate has dropped to 1% as cases continue to decline in our region. More than 94% of Marquette faculty, staff and students have received their primary series vaccination. In addition, 86% of Marquette students and 81% of Marquette faculty and staff are up-to-date with COVID vaccination, meaning they have received their primary series vaccination plus a booster, if eligible.

In alignment with the latest CDC guidance, the university encourages members of our community who are immunocompromised, at high risk for COVID-19 complications or not up-to-date with COVID vaccination (primary series plus booster, if eligible) to continue wearing a mask while indoors.