Salem State Reintstates Indoor Mask Mandate Amid Delta Surge

SALEM, MA — Salem State University is bringing back the mask mandate for all students, faculty and staff at public indoor spaces — regardless of vaccination status — starting Thursday.

The school said masks will be required indoors in public spaces and recommended outdoors in crowded locations when social distancing cannot be achieved.

"Throughout the pandemic, the university has been monitoring COVID-19 infection rates and public health guidance," the school said. "We have implemented strategies with an abundance of caution in order to prioritize the health and safety of the community. We will continue to do the same for the 2021- 2022 academic year and appreciate everyone's attention and flexibility."

The school announced in April that — along with the other eight schools in the state university system — approved coronavirus vaccinations will be required for all students attending in-person classes, conducting research on campus or participating in campus life activities prior to returning to school this fall.

"From the start of the pandemic, Salem State University has put the safety of our campus first," Salem State President John Keenan said in a statement to Patch at the time. "As part of our ongoing efforts, we are proud to join our sister universities in the decision to require COVID-19 vaccination for our students before returning to campus this fall."

The school had said earlier this spring it anticipated a "nearly normal" return to a typical campus lifestyle during the fall semester.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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