Dear Campus Community,
Citing rapidly accelerating positivity rates across the state, Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine has announced on November 18, 2020 more stringent mitigation measures to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Dr. Levine outlined four targeted efforts including an order for travelers and for strengthening mask wearing requirements.
The new mitigation and travel measures, which require testing and quarantining, align with our end of semester plans that includes completing on campus activity November 20. Our plan eliminates the need for travel that might have taken community members in and out of the state and back to campus after break and the Thanksgiving holiday that would have been impacted by the new travel measures.
Additionally, the announcement today of the state’s new more stringent mask order aligns with the mask policy we already adhere to in our campus community as part of our Raider Respect pledge.
Dr. Levine also noted updated recommendations of the departments of Health and Education for colleges and universities. They include protocols for testing, isolation, quarantine, mask wearing and social distancing. As we plan for Spring 2021, we will refer to these new recommendations as well as the policies and procedures provided us from the State System. As always, we follow the guidance of federal and state health experts when implementing these or any recommendations.
