The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) and the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) are releasing higher education guidance in line with recently released guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This joint guidance will help facilitate the safe transition back to campus, as more students in Illinois and across the country have returned to in-person learning.  IBHE and ICCB are issuing this guidance to protect the public health of students, campuses and local communities. The guidance addresses the use of face masks, hand hygiene, cleaning, symptom screening, housing, and events. In accordance with the CDC, this guidance updates that previously issued by IBHE and ICCB. Phase 5 is the final stage of the five-phased Restore Illinois plan that helped reopen Illinois guided by health metrics. Due to the COVID-19 vaccine, on June 11, 2021, the State of Illinois advanced to a full reopening of all businesses and activities. In Phase 5, fully vaccinated individuals can resume activities without wearing a mask except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations.