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A letter from the Office of Michigan Tech President Richard Koubek sent late last week to university students and staff revealed that COVID vaccinations will be mandatory by January 10th for all employees. The missive referenced a recent executive order from the Joe Biden Administration that applies to all federal contractors. Tech receives a significant portion of its research dollars through various agencies of the United States government.
Contractors are also being forced to implement policies for masking employees when community spread hits a certain threshold where they operate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently rate Houghton, Keweenaw, and Baraga Counties as high transmission areas, meaning that face coverings would be required at Tech until spread abates.
Students are not required to be vaccinated unless they work for the school in some capacity. There does not appear to be any exception for those who have acquired natural immunity after contracting the virus and recovering.
