Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) will begin the 2021 fall semester with a temporary masking policy.
Beginning Aug. 22, masks will be required in all buildings on campus. The policy, which is very similar to the policy implemented last school year, will be reevaluated every 30 days to determine if it will be extended, university officials said.
“As we’ve seen in recent weeks, COVID-19 continues to heavily impact our region, state and nation,” MSU-WP Interim Chancellor Dennis Lancaster said. “Research has shown this Delta variant is more contagious. Based on this research the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now recommends everyone – unvaccinated individuals and those fully vaccinated – wear masks indoors in public settings.
“None of us like wearing masks, but we know they can mitigate the spread of this disease and protect the ones we love; therefore, we will start the year with an indoor masking policy and monitor the situation for 30 days afterward to see if the policy will need to be extended,” he added.
Factors that will be considered for extending the policy include the number of COVID-19 cases on campus and in the area, vaccinations, quarantines/isolations, hospitalizations and academic impacts, Lancaster said.
University officials will continue to work closely with local, regional and state healthcare and public health leaders, government officials and other institutions in the state to navigate MSU-WP’s response to the pandemic.
Campus will be open