EAST LANSING - Michigan State University announced Friday, July 30 that all staff and students need to be vaccinated for the upcoming semester as concerns grow about the COVID-19 Delta Variant.

Masks will be required indoors at all campus buildings and facilities beginning August 1. This requirement will be put in place for at the first couple of weeks during the fall semester in response to changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. In addition, all students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with an FDA-authorized or WHO-approved vaccine no later than August 31.

MSU's President Stanley said, “Yesterday’s CDC data is concerning and significantly shifts the landscape. Across the country and here in Michigan, we are seeing a rise in cases and are finding the delta variant is more contagious. The new CDC data suggests that even vaccinated individuals can in some cases spread the virus.”

Stanley feels this has nothing to do with politics and added, “We are all in this battle against COVID-19 and its variants together and I firmly believe the actions we are taking today are necessary measures. It has everything to do with public health. This is how we keep each other safe.”

More details about the new requirements will be shared by President Stanley in the coming days.