For Everyone – General information regarding spring 2023 programs, visitor access and protocols, visitor and event vaccination requirements, pandemic protocols, and overall University operations: 

The following information is intended for a general audience including potential visitors to a university campus or facility. Students, staff, and faculty should refer to other sections of this website for information tailored specifically to students and employees (student guidance can be found on the “for students” page; employee guidance can be found on the “for employees” page).

The University of Maine System continues to monitor civil authority and public health guidance and will modify its protocols as necessary in response to changes in the COVID-19 pandemic:

Spring 2023

The University of Maine System is planning a robust fall of instruction, courses, research, and special activities. Please refer to the specific academic calendars or campus program information as published by each respective University for further information and details.

Access to campus and university facilities for visitors: University System campuses, in general, are open.

Face coverings: In general, face coverings are optional across the University of Maine System, indoors and outdoors, for all persons – students, staff, faculty and visitors – regardless of vaccination status. There are important exceptions when face coverings are or may still be required. Additional information pertaining to these exceptions are detailed further in this guidance and in other sections of this website. Visitors are asked always to have and to be prepared to wear an appropriate face covering if required or requested when at a University.

For more information about when face coverings may continue to be required – for example, at indoor University events that are open to the general public – please see the information below and elsewhere on the Together for Maine website.

Quarantine or Isolate if you should: Visitors, including contractors to the University, are expected to follow CDC guidance generally or their own specific safety plan if applicable and in place with the University. This means visitors should not come to campus if they are currently subject to quarantine or isolation per CDC guidelines (External Site).

Proof of vaccination or negative test requirements: Also, events or activities for which visitors (i.e. the general public) would come to campus may require evidence of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for admittance. For more information about face coverings, vaccination requirements, and other such protocols, please see the further details below and elsewhere on this website.

Vaccination requirements:

Students and employees: Please refer to the sections of this web site which are specific to students and for employees.

Visitors and group events: Anyone attending indoor University System events of more than 250 people must provide proof of vaccination or an acceptable negative test to enter. The University permits this same requirement at smaller events as well. To the extent practicable, activity or venue-specific requirements will generally be posted with event notices and promotional materials. Visitors, including those who are not eligible by age to receive a vaccination and those asserting a religious objection or medical contraindication to vaccination, will be allowed to present a negative COVID-19 test instead of proof of vaccination. Visitors with questions or concerns should check in advance with the facility, event or activity organizers regarding any specific protocols for the facility, event or activity of interest. This requirement applies to all persons at applicable gatherings including students, staff, employees and visitors. Bona fide University classes for which people are in person for the purpose of an academic course are exempt from the event proof of vaccination or negative test requirement as students and employees are subject to a dedicated regimen of proof and testing.  Students and employees should refer to the sections of this website specific to them for information about student and employee vaccination requirements.

When a negative test is required, evidence that will be accepted includes a negative PCR test or rapid antigen sampled within 72 hours of the event or gathering. Legitimate, legible, original test results and physical or electronic copies will be accepted. For students and employees, the University electronic clearance tool may be used in place of other documentation.

Legitimate, legible, original vaccination cards and physical or electronic copies will be accepted. Individuals may also be asked for identification. For students and employees, the University System electronic clearance tool available via the COVID-19 portal will be accepted in place of other documentation.

The proof of vaccination is required to be for a vaccine approved by the FDA or WHO.

The University System, at its sole discretion, may permit individuals who are not age-eligible for vaccination (currently those younger than 6 months old effective June 17, 2022) entrance to gatherings.

Because of the wide variety of spaces, events, and gatherings at the University System, this requirement may require special adjustment in some additional cases, but the intended outcome will remain that all those present for indoor events of more than 250 persons must present evidence of a COVID-19 vaccination or negative test to gain entrance to that space, activity or gathering.

Attempted or actual entry to events for which this requirement is applicable by individuals who do not meet these requirements or presenting fraudulent information in an attempt to gain entry, may result in action by the University System, for instance prohibiting such individuals from further University System gatherings, or other appropriate action.

Testing: The University of Maine System will provide symptomatic testing for COVID-19 for its in-person students, staff and faculty during fall 2022 (participation in any on-campus experience constitutes being ‘in-person’). The University of Maine System may require asymptomatic screening testing periodically during the semester in response to the evolving pandemic.  Participating in certain activities may also require asymptomatic screening testing, such as athletics.  Students, staff and faculty should refer to their respective sections of this Together for Maine website (student guidance can be found on the “for students” page; employee guidance can be found on the “for employees” page) for more information. 

Testing is not currently provided to visitors except in certain special circumstances.  Participants in fall programs who are not students should contact their respective program for testing and vaccination information and instructions.  

General group size limits: There are currently no system-wide limits on group size within the University of Maine System. Individual universities may adopt limits for particular circumstances in consultation with their pandemic response, emergency operations and other campus leadership. These limits may also include limiting the pre-arrival time of attendees at larger events to the time which is necessary to obtain access to the event but not so early as to permit pre-event or parking lot gatherings. The University of Maine System does have protocols for face coverings based on group gathering sizes:

  • For indoor events of more than 75 persons, face coverings are required unless proof of vaccination or a negative test is required as a condition of entrance, in which case face coverings can be optional as determined by the organizing authority. (Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative test is already required at indoor University events of more than 250 persons, meaning face coverings can be optional at such events as determined by the organizing authority.)
  • For indoor events of 75 or fewer persons, face coverings are optional.
  • Bona fide University classes for which people are in person for the purpose of an academic course are exempt from this event-style proof of vaccination or negative test requirement as students and employees are subject to a separate, dedicated regimen of proof and testing.  Students and employees should refer to the sections of this website specific to them for information about student and employee vaccination requirements.

In-person instructional group size limits: There are currently no system-wide limits regarding in-person class sizes within the University of Maine System. Individual Universities may adopt limits for particular circumstances in consultation with their pandemic response, emergency operations and other campus leadership.

Physical distancing: There are currently no system-wide physical distancing requirements within the University of Maine System. Individual Universities may adopt such requirements for particular circumstances in consultation with their pandemic response, emergency operations and other campus leadership.

Community spaces and facilities such as libraries, museums, gyms, retail stores, computer labs, and study halls: These spaces in general are open and operating. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 tests resulted within 72 hours prior to entry may be required for group events.  Refer to the ‘Vaccination Requirements’ section of this guidance for additional information about group sizes and entry requirements. In addition, vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test resulted within 72 hours may be required prior to entry to certain facilities such as gyms.   Visitors and other interested persons should check with a particular event or facility prior to visiting to confirm the protocols that may be in place in those specific instances or locations.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve rapidly, and this guidance is subject to change at any time. Interested individuals and organizations are encouraged to check Together for Maine routinely for updates. Employees, students and visitors are encouraged to check the relevant sections of the website for information particular to them (student guidance can be found on the “for students” page; employee guidance can be found on the “for employees” page).

(Last reviewed/updated: 02/01/2023)