Most colleges and universities in the New Orleans area will bring back an indoor mask mandate as the Delta variant of COVID-19 ignites another spike in cases throughout Louisiana, officials said Thursday.
The exception is Tulane University, according to spokesperson Mike Strecker. The Uptown university will follow Mayor LaToya Cantrell's lead and ask people to wear masks indoors, but not mandate it.
The mask mandates come months after several colleges and universities, including Tulane, Loyola University, Xavier University and Dillard University, announced that vaccines would be mandatory for students to return to campus, unless students opted out because of medical or religious exemptions.
In a letter to students and staff, UNO President John Nicklow said mandatory masking would be an important next step in helping tamp down the current surge, as infections reach totals not seen since last summer's spike. The state reported 2,041 cases on Thursday and 3,264 confirmed cases on Wednesday.
"It is very important that we, as a university community, do not undo all of the amazing progress we have made in recent months," Nicklow said in the letter. "This may seem harsh but, given that there are still many unvaccinated people in our community, it is simply the best way to slow the spread and prevent further illness."
UNO joined Loyola, Xavier, the University of Holy Cross, and Delgado Community College in enacting mask mandates. Ernie Ballard, a spokesperson with Louisiana State University, said a mask mandate was already in effect there.
Officials with Dillard University didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Alicia Bourque, the chief student affairs officer with Loyola, said the mask update was a "temporary measure."
"We do not yet know what the guidance will be once the fall semester starts, however we will be at the ready with plans to respond no matter the direction," Bourque said.
Tony Cook, the spokesperson for Delgado Community College, said masks would continue to be required on campus, that only two individuals were allowed in the elevator and restrooms at a time, and that students and staff should continue to maintain a three-foot social distance space when possible.
Cook also encouraged students to get the vaccine.
Tulane was the only school that responded by saying masks were optional.
"We generally follow guidelines from the City of New Orleans and are doing so in this case by strongly encouraging all individuals to wear masks while indoors on any Tulane University property or campus," Strecker said Thursday.
