The University of Waterloo brought back its mask mandate for any indoor activities that are part of academic instruction. .A Tuesday notice said U of W students and staff will be required to wear masks during lectures, seminars, labs, tests, exams, and other forms of academic instruction. .The notice said people might be asked to wear masks in other places, such as when they meet with teaching assistants or professors. It said if people are unsure what to do, they should wear a mask. .People are asked to wear masks that fit well, have multiple layers, and include a filter part. Wherever they go, they should follow the Public Health Agency of Canada’s recommendations on masks. .The notice went on to say people should have COVID-19 booster shots as soon as possible. While U of W will not be enacting a booster policy, it said many more appointments are available now than before. .People are advised to limit their contact with others and stay home if they have any COVID-19 symptoms. They can do a self-assessment if they think they have been exposed to the virus or have symptoms. .Western University announced in August it will require students and staff to have taken a COVID-19 booster shot to come to campus, and they will have to be masked in classrooms and seminar rooms. .READ MORE: Ontario university enacts COVID-19 booster mandate, reinstates mask requirement.“While we can’t predict when the next wave of COVID-19 might come, we believe these measures will help us protect the in-person experience that Western is known for,” said Western Provost and Vice-president, Academic Florentine Strzelczyk. .“We want to do everything we can to offer our students a great on-campus experience throughout the academic year.”
