5/23/21

Brothers,

Over the past 16 months we have all dealt with a worldwide pandemic. Recently, the CDC updated it’s COVID-19 recommendations for mask wearing to allow for fully vaccinated individuals to now have the option to be inside and outside without wearing a mask. While, thankfully, this is a significant step forward to getting us back to normal, we still aren’t there yet.

I thank each of you, my brothers, for your dedication and diligence in adhering to the rules and regulations put in place to ensure that we made it to the other side of this pandemic safely. You’ve found creative ways to make sure that the business of Uplifting our communities continued, in conditions not seen since 1918.

The time is now to plan for a post pandemic Omega.

Today, I am lifting the fraternity’s limitations on chapter meetings, social gatherings, and community service, but for any local governmental guidelines. This is important because I realize that there are a number of states (domestically) and governments (internationally) that have their own rules and regulations with regards to opening. I ask that all chapters adhere to their local rules and regulations and work with your District Representative for approval on all events. All undergraduate chapters must comply with the rules of their college/university. Our Omega Health Experts reminded me that International travel into the United States still requires one to be tested within 3 days of their flight or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within the last 3 months, so that is going to be a challenge for brothers traveling abroad and returning to the U.S. They also still strongly encourage brothers to wear a mask in ALL indoor settings regardless of vaccination status to ensure there is no unintentional spread among attendees, as we know even fully vaccinated brothers can become infected and asymptomatically spread the virus. They further encourage still wearing masks in public gatherings, especially where vaccination status is not known as the current relaxation from the CDC is based on the Honor System.

Lastly, the CDC still says all unvaccinated people age 2 and older should wear masks in public settings and when around people who don’t live in their household.

We will get there.
In Friendship,

David E. Marion, Ph.D.
Grand Basileus
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.