The University of Waterloo is reinstating a mask requirement for indoor activities that are part of academic instruction.
The university says masks will be required starting Wednesday in lectures, seminars, labs, tests, exams and all other forms of academic instruction that happen indoors.
University leaders say in a written statement that the decision is being made now due to data trends pointing to increased levels of COVID-19 and other airborne diseases in circulation.
The statement says the university also wants to reduce the amount of disruption those trends could cause to the fall exam period.
The university says masks can be removed when teaching or presenting if physical distancing is maintained.
The masking requirement does not apply in non-instructional settings like food courts or residences, though the university is strongly encouraging masking in all indoor settings.