Oregon State University announced Thursday that face coverings will once again be required for all indoor public spaces on its campuses.
OSU had relaxed its mask mandate just over a month ago, but the school said the rising number of COVID-19 cases prompted the change. The requirement applies to all students, employees and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. The university says it will review the policy on a weekly basis and make adjustments if conditions allow.
The announcement comes soon after the Oregon Health Authority said it was recommending that everyone use masks in indoor public settings, less than one month after a state mandate requiring mask usage was lifted. The OHA recomendation does not carry the same weight as a mandate, but Gov. Kate Brown is requiring mask usage inside state-owned buildings.
Like much of the nation, Oregon is facing a new surge in COVID-19 cases due to the rapidly-spreading and highly contagious delta variant.
