Image 01 Image 03

Duke University to Require Masks Indoors for Students and Staff Regardless of Vaccination Status

Duke University to Require Masks Indoors for Students and Staff Regardless of Vaccination Status

“all individuals will be required to wear face masks in all Duke-owned and leased buildings effective Friday, July 30, until further notice”

This decision was made because of the new ‘delta’ variant of the virus.

WXII News reports:

Duke University to require masks indoors for all students, staff, regardless of vaccination status

As the delta variant continues to threaten the United States and North Carolina, Duke University will require all students and staff to wear masks indoors while on campus.

The mask requirement was announced Wednesday because of the delta variant.

“Given the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in North Carolina related to a combination of the Delta variant and the number of people who remain unvaccinated, all individuals will be required to wear face masks in all Duke-owned and leased buildings effective Friday, July 30, until further notice,” a post on the university’s website said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday released its updated recommendations to reduce transmission of the virus, which included wearing masks indoors in areas with high transmission rates, even if individuals have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

A statement from the school said this was “a disappointing turn,” but the update was based on the CDC guidance, as well as guidance from Duke’s infectious disease experts.

Durham County, where Duke is located, has a moderate rate of COVID-19 transmission, according to the state’s county alert map. During the 2020-21 school year, Duke administration shared many concerns about COVID-19 outbreaks among students. A stay-in-place order was implemented for students for a week in March.

DONATE

Donations tax deductible
to the full extent allowed by law.