Masks once again required in University of Waterloo classrooms

Masks are once again required in classrooms at the University of Waterloo starting today.

The post-secondary school said Tuesday that it made the decision to avoid potential disruption to the exam season as cases of respiratory illnesses increase.

The southern Ontario university said masks are required in lectures, seminars, labs, tests, exams and all other forms of indoor classes.

“Recently, we have seen increases in local COVID-19 hospitalizations, and there are emerging trends from test positivity and wastewater that suggest increasing levels of COVID in the community now and in the near future,” university leaders wrote in a message to students.

“These trends mean we need to act now to minimize disruption to the end-of-term exam season and to protect the most vulnerable people in our community.”

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In a similar statement sent to instructors, the university said that recent data pointed to rising levels of both COVID-19 and other airborne diseases.

Students could also be required to wear masks in other places, like when meeting with an instructor. Masks can be removed when teaching or presenting if physical distancing is maintained.

Masks are not required in non-instructional settings such as food courts or residences, but the university is strongly encouraging masking in all indoor settings.

“If you are not sure what to do: wear a mask,” the university said.

READ MORE: Flu shots now available for residents across Ontario

Several Ontario universities dropped their COVID-19 masking policies before starting the new academic year in September.

A few universities still have previous mask requirements in place.

Western University has said its mask mandate will be in place until the end of the fall term.

Seneca College, which said last month that it would drop its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy in the new year, also has a mask requirement in effect until further notice.

READ MORE: Former head of Ontario’s Science Table calling for mask mandates to be reinstated