COVID-19: SLU Reinstates Mask Mandate

July 23, 2021

Dear members of the Saint Louis University community, 

Starting Monday, face masks again will be required to be worn inside all buildings on our St. Louis campuses. This applies to everyone, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated. 

This action complies with guidance released today by public health officials in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County, mandating face mask use in all public places, on public transportation and in crowded outdoor spaces. These reinstituted restrictions are due to the rising number of COVID-19 Delta variant cases in the St. Louis region and Missouri. 

I understand this is not welcomed news for many of us –– especially those of us who did the right thing so early on and have been enjoying the freedom of being without masks. I feel that, too. We will continue to do the right thing, because it’s who we are.  

As Dr. Fredrick Echols, acting Director of Health for the City of St. Louis, said today, “Vaccines remain one of the best methods to prevent severe complications and death from the virus.” The University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement is all the more important with these cases on the rise.  

Remember that you are required to submit proof of vaccination on our online portal by Aug. 1. You can review information about submitting an exemption request (religious exemption requests are due by 6 p.m. today, and medical requests are due Aug. 1) here, in our recent messages. 

Anyone who submits their proof of vaccination by the Aug. 1 deadline is automatically entered into a lottery for awards. We will identify winners every few days starting today, so the sooner you submit your vaccination proof, the higher your odds are of winning. 

We will continue to update you with guidance as we learn more, including what this may mean for the fall semester. 

Stay safe and be well,  

Terri Rebmann, Ph.D., RN, CIC, FAPIC
Special Assistant to the President
Director, Institute for Biosecurity
Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
College for Public Health and Social Justice