COVID-19 masks will be optional on UArizona campus starting March 21

TUCSON, Ariz. - Wearing masks on campus to protect against COVID-19 will be optional starting next week when University of Arizona students return to classes following spring break.

School officials say masks would be recommended but not required Monday for indoor spaces at the Tucson campus and other Pima County locations.

University President Robert Robbins said if case counts continue to align with the county and most of the rest of Arizona, the university will be "well-positioned to relax our mask protocols."

Health officials said nearly all of the state is in the medium category for the community spread of COVID-19.

Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University already have made masks optional for most campus locations.

The changes follow relaxed guidelines late last month from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

MORE: Coronavirus in Arizona: Latest case numbers

In order to protect yourself from a possible infection, the CDC recommends:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Monitor your health daily

Symptoms for coronavirus COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. These, of course, are similar to the common cold and flu.

Expect a common cold to start out with a sore or scratchy throat, cough, runny and/or stuffy nose. Flu symptoms are more intense and usually come on suddenly, and can include a high fever.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. They usually include fever, a dry cough and noticeable shortness of breath, according to the World Health Organization. A minority of cases develop pneumonia, and the disease is especially worrisome for the elderly and those with other medical problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or heart conditions.

To protect yourself, wash your hands well and often, keep them away from your face, and avoid crowds and standing close to people.

And if you do find yourself showing any of these flu or coronavirus symptoms - don't go straight to your doctor's office. That just risks making more people sick, officials urge. Call ahead, and ask if you need to be seen and where.