Westminster College to require vaccine for students, employees
Aug 5, 2021, 2:49 PM | Updated: 3:29 pm
FILE: Westminster College in Salt Lake City is pictured on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Westminster College announced Thursday it will require all of its employees and registered students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine before Oct. 15, 2021.
Westminster announces mask and vaccine requirement
In a Facebook post, Westminster officials also said it will require masks in shared, indoor spaces on campus, citing increased COVID-19 cases.
“We will continue to monitor data and recommendations and make changes accordingly,” the school said.
According to the Facebook post, Westminster will ask “Faculty, adjunct faculty, full- and part-time staff, and all students” to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccine status by mid-October. The school sent out an email with a form for students and employees to declare their vaccination status.
So far, no other Utah college or university has issued a vaccine requirement. Likewise, Westminster is the first to make its plans for a mask requirement known ahead of the coming fall semester.
Read more:
- Salt Lake County Board of Health supports mask mandate if necessary
- New start times for high schools in the Salt Lake City School District
- Utah Department of Health releases COVID-19 recommendations for schools
How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus
COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person, similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
- Don’t touch your face.
- Wear a mask to protect yourself and others per CDC recommendations.
- Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet).
- If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities).
- Obtain a flu shot.
- Seek out the COVID-19 vaccine.
Local resources
Utah’s Coronavirus Information
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707
National Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization
