On Oct. 28, Tulane University announced that the indoor mask mandate for students, faculty and staff will no longer be in effect starting Oct. 29. The mandate took effect before classes resumed in person this summer. 

According to Tulane, the decision to lift the mask mandate was based on “updated guidance from the Louisiana Department of Health, the City of New Orleans and the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention].” The statement strongly encouraged unvaccinated individuals to wear masks in public spaces and clarified that masks are still required in select circumstances, namely while on public transport and in health facilities. 

Tulane’s decision comes after Governor John Bel Edwards lifted Louisiana’s indoor mask mandate, with the exception of K-12 schools on Oct. 26. Edwards’ decision prompted New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to follow suit, announcing that she would lift the Orleans Parish indoor mask mandate on Oct. 29.