The University of the West of England has done a u-turn and made face coverings inside campus buildings compulsory.
Earlier this month, an academic at the University of the West of England claimed the university wasn't taking coronavirus seriously and criticised the university for not making face masks mandatory in classrooms.
With cases having risen at the university by more than 500 per cent in the past week, pressure has been growing on the university as more staff have come forward to say they don't feel safe.
UWE has now announced staff, students and visitors will now be required to wear a face covering inside all of their campus buildings.
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A spokesman for UWE said: "“We have responded to the views of our staff and students, who have requested we do more to simplify our approach on our Covid-secure rules.
"This new measure, introduced in response to feedback, will add an additional level of assurance for our staff and students and ensures absolute clarity and consistency in our rules.
"It is in addition to continuing our primary focus on meticulous hand hygiene, observing 2m social distancing, the use of face coverings, and following the law and university rules around social gatherings."
The university said their aim throughout has been to ensure appropriate measures are taken to support the health, safety and wellbeing of staff, students and visitors.
"Public health officials locally and nationally have reviewed what we have done and have commended our approach, saying we have done everything reasonably possible to ensure our campuses are Covid-secure," the university added.
UCU regional support official Philippa Davey said it had been clear for many months that wearing face masks indoors is a simple measure that will protect the health and safety of staff and students.
She added: "It is incredibly disappointing that staff had to put so much pressure on the university before it u-turned, put health and safety first, and made it compulsory to wear face masks indoors.
"Yesterday Bristol recorded almost 300 new cases of Covid, so we now need UWE to go further and move all non-essential in-person teaching online to help reduce transmission of the virus."
Are you a student or do you work at one of the universities in Bristol? Our reporter Estel would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with her directly on estel.farellroig@reachplc.com
