BREAKING: U of A will drop masking mandate on March 16

A statement released by the University of Alberta on March 11 announced that the institution will be dropping the masking mandate mid-March.

As of March 16, masks will no longer be required at the U of A. This information was released in a statement from the U of A on March 11. Previously, the university stated that masks would be required until the end of the Winter 2022 semester.

According to the statement, this decision is in response to the current COVID-19 situation, and “updated guidance from public health experts and authorities.”

“On March 1, the Government of Alberta removed the masking requirement and this past week, on March 8, the City of Edmonton repealed its masking bylaw,” the statement said. “Therefore, U of A campuses will join other Edmonton and Alberta institutions and facilities in suspending our mandatory masking policy, starting Wednesday, March 16.”

Though they will no longer be mandated, the university still recommends community members continue to wear masks when in close proximity to others.

“We strongly recommend that you continue to wear masks in high-traffic or high-capacity spaces, and in other areas where you are in close proximity to others,” the statement said. “We also ask that U of A students, faculty, staff, and visitors respect the choices of others in our community regarding masking as we transition into this next phase together.”