Georgetown University mandates masks for students during in-class instruction

close

Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for August 24

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on foxnews.1eye.us.

Georgetown University is requiring its students to continue wearing masks during in-class instruction this fall amid lingering cases of COVID-19 and nationwide outbreaks of monkeypox.

The mask mandate, which applies to students in classrooms and teaching laboratories, does not apply to "informal gatherings" at places such as libraries and study spaces, according to public health guidance the Washington, D.C., school released Wednesday.

Students heading into the third fall term since the pandemic are also required to mask up on university-sponsored public transportation and in university health care facilities. In accordance with ongoing D.C. rules, every student who was in quarantine must continue wearing masks for 10 days.

Unless they have an approved medical or religious exemption, students, faculty, staff and visitors to Georgetown are required to have received a primary series of COVID-19 vaccination, as well as a booster if they are eligible.

US COLLEGES REINSTATE MASK REQUIREMENTS, BUT EXPERT SAYS ‘THE TIME FOR MASK MANDATES IS GONE’

Prospective students tour Georgetown University's campus in Washington, D.C., on July 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

LOS ANGELES COUNTY DROPS PLAN TO REIMPOSE MASK MANDATE, CITING DECREASE IN COVID CASES

Several colleges and universities across the nation reinstated mask mandates last spring amid a "significant increase" in COVID-19 cases on campus.

Georgetown was joined at the time by Rice University, Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University and American University in reinstating their mask mandates on campus.

DC COLLEGE STUDENTS SAY CLIMATE CHANGE AND COVID-19 ARE TOP VOTING PRIORITIES

During an April 6 announcement, Georgetown said a "significant increase" in COVID-19 cases forced the school to reinstate the indoor mask requirement.

White-Gravenor Hall of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. (OlegAlbinsky via Getty Images)

According to a university dashboard, 98% of Georgetown students and faculty are vaccinated against COVID-19.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Georgetown did not immediately respond to request for further comment from Fox News Digital.

Adam Sabes contributed to this report.