Western University officials have announced staff, students, and faculty will no longer be required to wear face masks inside instructional spaces.
In a letter shared with members of the school community earlier this week, the university said it's shifting from mandating masks, to "strongly encouraging masks" while in crowded indoor spaces and large classrooms.
"This move is aligned with the advice of public health," a statement from Western read. "Leaders of research labs will make health and safety decisions based on the appropriate protocols for their lab environment."
Western officials are asking everyone on campus to be considerate of individuals who may ask for masks to be worn based on personal circumstances.
At the start of the 2022-23 academic year, Western said it would require students, staff and faculty to wear masks while inside instructional spaces and be fully vaccinated with three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by January 9, 2023. In late November, the university lifted proof of vaccine policy, but remained firm on it's stance requiring medical-grade masks.