Fully-vaccinated people do not need to wear masks or socially distance on UT campus Officials said that the updates to its mask policies are meant to be consistent with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Author: WBIR Staff Updated: 4:59 PM EDT May 17, 2021 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Anyone who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will not need to wear a mask on the University of Tennessee's campus, according to a release from officials. Chancellor Donde Plowman announced updates to the university's mask policy on Monday. She said fully vaccinated people will not need to wear masks or socially distance, following new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.