PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Adhering to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, effective Wednesday, August 18, 2021, masks are required in all indoor spaces at Berkshire Community College (BCC). 

 

This applies to any vaccination status.

 

All faculty, staff and students in the College's healthcare fields who will be working or learning in long-term care facilities, including skilled nursing facilities and the state's two Soldiers' Homes, must be fully vaccinated (per local facility requirements and Governor Baker's Executive Order) against COVID-19 by Oct. 10, 2021. 

 

Additionally, anyone (including students, staff and faculty) working or learning in one of Berkshire Health Systems' (BHS) facilities must be vaccinated by Oct. 1, 2021, per a "Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination" memo sent on Aug. 6, 2021.

 

CDC guidelines issued on July 27, 2021, stated: "In response to the recent spread of the Delta variant, the CDC's updated guidance does recommend that even fully vaccinated persons wear masks or face coverings when indoors if other risk factors are present." 

 

In addition, "All people in Massachusetts (regardless of vaccination status) are required to continue wearing face coverings in certain settings, including transportation and health care facilities." 

 

Currently, Berkshire County is considered to be in a high transmission area, and per CDC guidelines: "To reduce the risk of being infected with the Delta variant and possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission."

 

Vaccines in Berkshire County are administered at walk-in clinics located at BHS Urgent Care, 505 East Street, Pittsfield; COVID Testing Center, 98 Church Street, North Adams; and Fairview Hospital, 29 Lewis Avenue, Great Barrington. For hours and information, visit  https://getvaccinatedberkshires.org/locations.

 

For more information on COVID-19 protocol and vaccinations, visit www.mass.gov.