University of Wyoming planning more normal school this fall

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) - University of Wyoming trustees plan to allow substantially more in-person classes, sports and activities on campus this fall if the coronavirus pandemic continues to wane.

University officials haven't decided if they'll still require face masks but declining COVID-19 cases hastened a decision they originally planned to make this June, the Laramie Boomerang reports.

Vaccines are becoming available faster than expected and infection rates are "almost down to nothing," university spokesman Chad Baldwin said.

Fewer public-health restrictions will be in place and many more classes will be in person when fall semester begins Aug. 23. The university will continue to follow state and federal restrictions and guidelines, according to a university statement Friday.

Eight people at the university - four employees and four students living off campus - tested positive for the coronavirus and had not yet recovered as of Thursday.

That's down from dozens of cases last fall. The rate has fallen sharply since winter break.

This semester, in-person classes continue until spring break begins Wednesday. They'll be online only from next week until spring semester ends.

Mask-wearing, social distancing and COVID-19 testing continue for now, with in-person commencement ceremonies planned in May.