MARQUETTE — Northern Michigan University announced in an email Friday that it is lifting its mask requirement for all classrooms and labs for the time being.

NMU President Kerri Schuiling made the announcement in an email sent to all students, faculty and staff members at the university.

“With the change from high to low transmission rate, Northern is lifting its mask restriction for indoor classrooms and labs as of Monday. Masks are encouraged but not required; NMU community members should take precautions based on individual risk factors,” Schuiling said.

The email pointed out that COVID-19 surges are expected for the summer and fall and advised that students and faculty should be prepared to pivot back to the classroom mask requirement at any time.

Schuiling credits Marquette County’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention low transmission classification for the changes to the mask policy.