UD requires masks indoors amid new CDC recommendations

The university updated its COVID-19 policy in an announcement Monday afternoon. Photo curtesy of Pexels.com

Zoë Hill | News Editor

The University of Dayton will require masks in indoor spaces around campus following new guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

UD announced Monday afternoon the updated policy will go into effect immediately, according to the university. Face coverings are required to be worn by students, faculty and staff in shared spaces, including classrooms, labs, studios and dining halls, regardless of vaccination status. 

“We are calling on every member of our campus community to take personal responsibility for their own health and wellbeing and to protect our colleagues, classmates and extended UD family,” the Path Forward Team said.

The announcement also shared the university’s strong recommendation for students to wear masks while in shared residential areas. Face coverings are not required for individuals in non-shared workspaces including private offices and cubicles. 

The masking guidelines were updated because of the new CDC guidance released Tuesday showing the need for masks amid the resurgence of COVID-19. The guidelines specifically addressed K-12 schools across the country, but general advice was given for vaccinated and unvaccinated people. 

“In areas with substantial and high transmission, CDC recommends fully vaccinated people wear masks in public, indoor settings to help prevent the spread of the delta variant, and protect others,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said. “This includes schools.” 

UD made the call based on “changing conditions” and advice from public health officials and the University’s medical advisory panel. Recent findings that vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals spread the virus at the same rate motivated the decision. The update comes just shy of a month since the university got rid of nearly all of its COVID-19 restrictions. 

The July 9 announcement confirmed fall classes will be at full capacity and in-person. Guests are allowed back on campus, and events and meetings for organizations can take place again. The latest update does not change any of these policies, but guests and clubs will have to follow the mask mandate where applicable. 

“Let’s use the resources and tools we know are effective — get vaccinated before fall semester, wear face coverings — to help protect ourselves, our campus community and our loved ones,” the Path Forward Team said.

For more campus news like Flyer News on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@FlyerNews) and Instagram (@flyernews).