[ad_1]

Arizona State University changed its mask policy on Friday, encouraging a facial covering inside university buildings, according to a statement released by the university.

According to the statement, “effective immediately, ASU is now strongly recommending that everyone on campus wear a face cover when inside a university building.”

This comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended people wear face coverings in indoor public settings regardless of vaccination status on Tuesday.

The university said it “must remain vigilant” and take steps to protect students and faculty as COVID-19 cases rise from the delta variant in Arizona.

On Friday, the Arizona Department of Health and Safety reported the most daily COVID-19 cases since March, with 1,965 new COVID-19 cases and 24 new known deaths. There were 1,072 patients hospitalized across Arizona for known or suspected COVID-19 as of Thursday, the most since the start of March.

Arizona State University previously said face coverings were required for certain health care centers and on-campus shuttles, but those policies may spread to buildings and events that pose a high risk of transmission, according to the university.

In-person classes, residence hall occupancy, on-campus dining, athletics and other events remained as scheduled, according to the university.

The university plans on welcoming 75,000 students on campus once the fall semester begins, officials said.

Last month, Ducey issued an executive order preventing Arizona State and other public universities from implementing requirements for unvaccinated students on campus in the fall.

The facial-cover recommendation extends to everyone, the university said.

“We are in line with Gov. Ducey’s executive order, and can require masking as long as we do not distinguish between vaccinated and unvaccinated students,” said Jerry Gonzalez, a university spokesperson.

Fall classes begin on August 19.

Reporter Alison Steinbach contributed to this article.

Reach breaking news reporter Michael Donohue at [email protected] or on Twitter @MRDonohue4

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

[ad_2]

Source link