UD, WilmU, DelTech to require students to wear face masks in fall

 

The University of Delaware is among the institutions that will require students to wear masks indoors.

 

The University of Delaware, Wilmington University and Delaware Technical Community College have changed their face mask policies for fall.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently recommended both the vaccinated and unvaccinated wear masks indoors, especially in areas where the Delta variant is spreading rapidly.

 “To protect everyone in our community, Wilmington University has revised our mask policy,” WilmU Spokesperson Laurie Jensen said in an email. “Effective Aug. 3, 2021, Wilmington University will require all individuals to wear masks or proper face coverings indoors at all campuses. This mandate will apply to vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.”

On Friday, the University of Delaware issued a statement that said, “Vaccinated or not, masks are required in all university indoor facilities with limited exceptions.”

It also reminded students to be vaccinated before they return to campus. Those who are not will be tested weekly for COVID-19, the statement said.

DelTech also announced a mask change on Aug. 2, saying it will adhere to the state and federal guidance.

“All three counties are now designated as areas with substantial transmission rates,” according to a DelTech announcement on its website. “As a result, face coverings are required to be worn by everyone while indoors at every Delaware Tech campus or facility until further notice in accordance with the COVID-19 directives issued on July 29.”

Prior to that, both schools allowed those vaccinated to go without face masks indoors.

The day before the CDC reversed its decisions on masks, Delaware State University had changed their masking policy to require students to mask up while in the classroom. So far, the campus has not made any comment on whether the school will require masks in dorms or student centers. 

Goldey-Beacom College has so far not amended its masking policy, with a spokesperson saying they continue to seek guidance from relevant state, federal and public health authorities. The school will require those unvaccinated due to medical and religious exemptions to wear a mask while in all college facilities.