University initiates virus mitigation policies

By LEANDRO ARISTEGUIETA
Staff writer

Clarion University last week announced face masks will be required indoors at the start of the upcoming semester, regardless of vaccination status.

According to an Aug. 12 announcement on the university’s website, masks are now mandatory in all classrooms and academic buildings, office buildings, performance spaces and common areas inside residence halls.

Students residing on campus must participate in COVID-19 screening and will be required to do one of the following upon arrival:

– Present a negative test result from a test administered within 72 hours prior to arrival.

– Present proof of full-vaccination status or having tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days.

– Enter a “modified” quarantine within 10 days, pending a negative COVID-19 test result.

Unvaccinated members of the general student body will not be required to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing, although testing is available if students want it, according to the university.

In compliance with NCAA rules and regulations, unvaccinated student-athletes and athletics staff will be required to undergo weekly testing, according to the university.

The spread and increased risk from the delta variant of the coronavirus is the reason behind reinstatement of the mandate.

“According to the CDC, the Delta variant causes more infections and spreads faster than early forms of the COVID-19 virus,” the announcement said. “It’s more important than ever that we reduce the risk to our campus community.”

California and Edinboro universities, both under the administration of Clarion University President Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson, are adopting similar mask requirements.

Universities across the region — Pitt, Duquesne, Slippery Rock and Penn State — also have instituted similar indoor mask mandates.

Indiana University, on the other hand, said in a July 22 announcement that masks will not be required indoors for vaccinated individuals.