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BYU to require masks in classrooms for fall semester

File photo: "Y Mountain" in Provo, Utah County. BYU, Brigham Young University, Cougars
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PROVO, Utah — Brigham Young University will require students to wear masks in classrooms for the upcoming fall semester. Masks also must be worn anywhere indoors where physical distancing is not possible.

READ: Younger people being hospitalized with COVID more often in Utah

All students, regardless of vaccination status, must wear masks when attending in-person classes. Fully vaccinated faculty who maintain physical distance from their students will be allowed to remove their masks to teach.

The school announced its COVID-19 safety protocol Friday, with the requirements set to begin Monday.

"The university will continue to monitor the situation and will re-evaluate mask requirements at the end of September based on several factors including the immunization rate of the campus community, COVID-19 transmission and hospitalization rates, and guidance from health and government officials," the school wrote.

READ: Salt Lake City mayor orders masks be worn in schools for grades K-12

BYU had previously had told students and faculty that they would be required to report their vaccination status. The deadline for reporting was Thursday.

Officials say as of Friday, 70% of students and 76% of the school's faculty and staff have received at least one vaccination shot.