Georgetown University mandates masks for students during in-class instruction amid COVID-19 cases

Georgetown University is requiring its students to continue wearing masks during in-class instruction this fall amid lingering cases of COVID-19 and nationwide outbreaks of monkeypox.

The mask mandate, which applies to students in classrooms and teaching laboratories, does not apply to “informal gatherings” at places such as libraries and study spaces, according to public health guidance the Washington, D.C., the school released Wednesday.

Students heading into the third fall term since the pandemic are also required to mask up on university-sponsored public transportation and in university health care facilities. In accordance with ongoing D.C. rules, every student who was in quarantine must continue wearing masks for 10 days.

Unless they have an approved medical or religious exemption, students, faculty, staff and visitors to Georgetown are required to have received a primary series of COVID-19 vaccination, as well as a booster if they are eligible.

Several colleges and universities across the nation reinstated mask mandates last spring amid a “significant increase” in COVID-19 on campus.

Georgetown was joined at the time by Rice University, Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University and American University in reinstating their mask mandates on campus.

During an April 6 announcement, Georgetown said a “significant increase” in COVID-19 cases forced the school to reinstate the indoor mask requirement.

According to a university dashboard, 98% of Georgetown students and faculty are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Georgetown did not immediately respond to a request for further comment from Fox News Digital.