BYU Announces Indoor Mask Mandate For Fall Semester
Aug 20, 2021, 2:35 PM | Updated: Jul 14, 2023, 3:57 pm
(KSL TV)
(KSL TV)
PROVO, Utah — Officials at Brigham Young University have announced all students will be required to wear masks in certain indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, to begin the fall semester.
The protocol applies to classrooms, any indoor space when physical distancing isn’t maintained and other areas when directed, according to a post on the university’s website.
Those requirements will go into effect on Monday.
“The university will continue to monitor the situation and will re-evaluate mask requirements at the end of September based on several factors including the immunization rate of the campus community, COVID-19 transmission and hospitalization rates, and guide from health and government officials,” continued the post.
To begin fall semester, BYU will require masks in classrooms, in any indoor space when physical distancing isn’t maintained and in other areas when directed. These requirements will begin August 23.
More information: https://t.co/1tjJLcDzMO pic.twitter.com/CcMdgLYoFQ
— BYU (@BYU) August 20, 2021
The post went on to say that fully vaccinated faculty can remove their masks while teaching if they can maintain a safe physical distance from their students.
BYU officials strongly encouraged students, employees and campus guests to follow recent counsel from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and get vaccinated.
“Based on reports received as of August 20, 70% of students and 76% faculty and staff have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination. While BYU is encouraged by the number of immunizations reported among the campus community, there is still a need for more of the community to be immunized,” officials said.
Students, faculty and staff can report and update their vaccination status here.
Per the Utah Department of Health, fully vaccinated students, faculty and staff who come into direct, close contact with a positive case of COVID-19 are currently not required to quarantine unless symptoms develop.
BYU also said the university is also providing a small appreciation voucher to students who have been fully vaccinated and those who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical exemption. Details on redeeming the voucher can be found here.
