Face masks made mandatory on all UW campuses this fall

Updated: 3:26 p.m. on July 9, 2020

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Face masks will be mandatory inside all University of Wisconsin campus buildings statewide under a policy adopted unanimously by the Board of Regents.

Interim UW President Tommy Thompson said at Thursday's meeting there was no way to open safely amid the coronavirus pandemic without the mandate.

Thompson strongly advocated for the mandatory mask policy at his first regents meeting since taking the job last week.

The policy also encourages the wearing of masks outside while on campus when physical distancing is not possible.

Requiring masks on all 26 UW campuses comes after Dane County this week mandated the wearing of masks at all indoor buildings, starting Monday.
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Posted: 2:30 p.m. on July 9, 2020

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Interim University of Wisconsin President Tommy Thompson says he has requested $110 million from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers  to pay for COVID-19 tests, contact tracing and personal protective equipment so campuses can safely reopen this fall.

The former Republican governor spoke Thursday at his first Board of Regents meeting as president. He attended in person, wearing a mask. Thompson has taken over the system at a precarious time.

Campuses are struggling with deep budget holes caused by the coronavirus pandemic and complicated decisions about how and whether to reopen campuses in the fall.