The University of Technology Sydney has ordered thousands of masks for students to wear on campus this year as students increasingly get the option of attending more classes.
Macquarie University estimated at least half of its local students would attend classes on campus and masks would be provided for any classes that could not maintain physical distancing. A Sydney University spokeswoman said about 28,000 staff and students were on campus each week last year, about half the number in 2019."We’re currently planning for most of our teaching to be in-person, however online learning will continue to be important for us in 2021 because lectures will mainly be offered remotely to meet physical distancing requirements and many students are likely to be offshore.
"Face masks are strongly recommended where it is not possible to maintain 1.5 metre physical distancing. This may include some classes and labs, and in office spaces. The University is mandating the use of masks in some circumstances, such as in clinics on campus; and in medical, clinical practice and other classes."
"I've opted to go in because I prefer the hands-on experience," he said. "I'll be going in for labs and tutorials two days a week."