WWU tells students what they must do for COVID-19 safety when they return to campus

Mandatory COVID-19 testing, daily symptom checks and masks will be required for the estimated 1,800 students who will attend classes each day on the Western Washington University campus this fall quarter, according to information released by the college on Friday, Aug. 28.

The details lay out what students and faculty can expect heading into Sept. 23, the first day of classes for a scaled-back fall quarter — a decision that was announced at the end of July because of what was then a significant increase in COVID-19 cases nationally.

“While we had hoped to offer more classes in person, the alarming rise in infection rates both locally and nationally made it clear that those plans were not viable for fall if we are to keep the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and the community as our guiding principle,” WWU President President Sabah Randhawa said in the Friday post to students and their families.