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This message was sent to the WPI community.
Thanks to the vigilance of this community around health, safety and testing protocols, cases of COVID have decreased considerably among our population. After careful consideration, the university makes the following changes to the face coverage guidelines and travel policy of clubs / organizations. You’ll also find updates to testing times and decisions regarding the Thanksgiving break below.
Effective immediately:
Fully immunized lecturers (professors, presenters, instructors) can, at their option, lower or remove their face covers when actively delivering instruction in a classroom or laboratory IF the following conditions are met:
- At least six feet of social distance between the speaker and the audience can be maintained.
- All others present (students / participants) are hidden.
This applies to public speeches / presentations for academics, campus sponsored events or activities and does not change the requirement for the use of face coverings in all interior campus spaces.
Face covers are optional for those vaccinated at all outdoor events
- It is always recommended that unvaccinated people wear face covers at outdoor events where social distancing cannot be maintained.
- This is consistent with guidelines and data from CDC, MA and Worcester which show the risk of outside transmission is extremely low.
Night travel possible for student clubs and organizations
- Clubs and organizations can plan overnight trips, after obtaining the appropriate approvals. Learn more about the new travel policy, expectations and process here.
COVID test
During the A / B Interruption period:
- COVID testing is not required for anyone absent from campus for the break.
- Continuing testing is strongly recommended for anyone on or around campus.
- Students must test on the day of their return (or the next day the testing center is open; the hours are there). Routine testing will resume the week of October 25 (undergraduates twice a week, graduates weekly).
- Employees returning to campus must also retake weekly testing the week of October 25.
- Wherever you are during the break period, please continue to follow health and safety guidelines to minimize the potential spread of the virus:
- Wear a face cover
- Avoid group gatherings
- Wash your hands regularly
- Be aware of local guidelines when traveling, especially if you use public transportation.
Thanksgiving Vacation: COVID Testing and Back to Campus
- The Thanksgiving break is November 24-28; classes resume on november 29th.
- As with semester A / B / fall break, students and employees will not be obligatory to test during the Thanksgiving holidays if you leave campus. If you are on or around campus, we strongly recommend that you continue testing. The hours of operation for the Thanksgiving break exam center will be posted shortly.
- At the end of the break, students are expected to test on the day they return, or the next time the testing site is open, when they return to campus, and resume testing the week of November 29.
- Employees must also resume weekly testing the week of November 29.
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