By Katie Goss ‘23
News Editor
The College announced changes to its COVID-19 and fall break guidelines in a Sept. 22 email detailing the recent shift in operating levels from “Semester Launch” to “Operating Level One.” This new operating level is described as “normal COVID-19 operations,” where transmission is controlled and cases are low on campus.
This change came after a week with no COVID-19 cases reported on campus.
Additionally, the College announced that the mask mandate for indoors was extended through October. They will officially review the visitor policy before the end of September and will notify the community with any changes, but Admissions tours are still the only permitted visitors within campus buildings. The testing policy for both students and employees will continue until at least the end of the fall semester.
Marcella Runell Hall, vice president for student life and dean of students, also sent out an email explaining testing policies for fall break from Oct. 9-12. Students are able to travel over the break across any distance, but the College asks that students refrain from visiting COVID-19 hotspots, as designated by Mayo Clinic.
Students are required to test twice during the week of fall break, with one of those tests on the Monday or Tuesday during break, regardless of travel plans. If a student has traveled off campus for the break, they are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test on the Monday or Tuesday of break before classes restart.
The testing center will be open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 11, and from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 12.