Mississippi State University to require masks when fall semester starts
Aug. 4—TUPELO — Mississippi State University announced Wednesday that it will require face masks be worn for all indoor activities and in all indoor locations on its campuses for the beginning of the fall 2021 semester.
That includes in nonpersonal vehicles and public transit. The only exceptions will be in private offices, MSU said in a statement announcing the protocol change.
"Our plans, as noted in prior announcements, were for a return to an open and traditional university environment," school officials said in the release. "That type of environment remains our goal and guides our policymaking process — but is not yet fully possible in our current rapidly evolving public health situation."
MSU hopes to be able to move to a mask-optional policy after the first few weeks of the semester, which begins Aug. 18, if cases on campus and in the community decrease and vaccination rates improve substantially.
"MSU will regularly reevaluate the need to continue the mask requirement," the university said. "We believe this significant preventative measure will enable us to safeguard activities like tailgating, student events, and other normal parts of university life."
The full statement on MSU's new COVID policy can be viewed on the university's website at msstate.edu.
