EDUCATION + SCHOOLS

Westminster College to require vaccine for students, employees

UPDATED: AUGUST 5, 2021 AT 3:29 PM

FILE: Westminster College in Salt Lake City is pictured on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

BY BECKY BRUCE
News Director

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.

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.