West Virginia University reinstates indoor mask policy

West Virginia University (WVU) is reinstating its indoor mask policy regardless of vaccination status for the first few weeks of classes.

The masks will be required for everyone in the university’s buildings starting immediately and going until Feb. 1, “when public health conditions will be reevaluated,” the school said Tuesday.

The school is asking students, faculty and staff to submit their COVID-19 vaccination status by Jan. 28 but is not requiring the vaccine as a condition of returning to in-person classes.

“The University continues to strongly encourage, but not require, vaccinations,” it stated.

The university has also changed the definition of fully vaccinated and will consider people fully vaccinated only if they have received a booster shot.

In line with the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, WVU said a person who tests positive for the virus must quarantine for five days.

“Given the prevalence of the omicron variant and evidence that it likely is more transmissible than previous strains, including the delta variant, we are taking several measures to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 as students, faculty and staff return to campus,” said Jeffrey Coben, dean of the School of Public Health and associate vice president for health affairs. 

“Now more than ever, we are asking our unvaccinated students, faculty and staff to get a COVID-19 vaccine and for those who are vaccinated to get a booster if they are eligible,” Coben added.