When you head to class at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax this fall you will be required to wear a mask.

School president and vice-chancellor Dr. Joël Dickinson provided the update to the school community.

She says masks will once again be mandatory in classrooms and student labs as of September 4th to ensure everyone’s safety.

“This stage of the pandemic is in some ways our most challenging for the disproportionate impacts it is having,” Dickinson says. “For many, a return to gathering in person is now a reality. But for those for whom the risk of severe disease from COVID-19 is high, the continuing pandemic and evolving protocols pose a significant challenge.”

Three-layer masks are recommended. Dickinson adds they’re one of the easiest tools MSVU can adopt to help prevent the spread of the virus.

With September just around the corner, here’s a message from @PresD_MSVU Dr. Joël Dickinson about campus COVID-19 protocols for the fall semester: https://t.co/HKiqyFAitj

— The Mount (MSVU) (@MSVU_Halifax) August 4, 2022

Instructors can pull them off to teach and students may choose to remove them when presenting. Students who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons must register with Accessibility Services.

Masks will continue to be strongly recommended in all other common indoor areas.

Most classrooms will operate at 80 per cent capacity. Proof of vaccination will not be required to attend campus, but it’s still strongly encouraged.

Dickinson also reminds you to stay home if you’re feeling sick.

Meantime, Dalhousie University, University of Kings College, Saint Mary’s University, and NSCAD in Halifax have not made them mandatory in indoor public spaces. St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, recently announced masks will continue to be required in all instructional spaces like classrooms and labs.