Dear University of Miami Community,
As you know, on Feb. 5 we added a number of measures to our COVID-19 protocols to address a recent spike in cases on campus. The initial 10-day period for these additional restrictions expires tonight.
Our community dashboard shows sustained reductions in the daily number of cases since the peak of 139 on Feb. 1, and positivity rates have also dropped. Since COVID cases reflect exposures that took place up to 14 days earlier, we will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of our public health measures, sharing results and announcing any further modifications as the semester continues.
At this time, we are adjusting the additional measures we adopted as follows:
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We will resume approved in-person student activities, subject to physical distancing, completion of the daily symptom checker with a “Good to Go” required for participation, and mandatory use of face covers. Food will not be served at events, although water bottles will be permitted.
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On-campus dining will continue to be take-out only, until at least March 1.
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Intercollegiate athletics will continue without in-person fans, with the exception of Hurricanes Baseball, which will be played outdoors at Mark Light Stadium beginning Feb. 26 with mandatory physical distancing and use of face covers.
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Residential colleges, University Village, and Lakeside Village will allow only University of Miami students as guests until 10 p.m. Persons who do not live on campus will continue to be denied access to residential facilities.
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Panhellenic suites remain closed, and all outside guests remain prohibited at fraternity houses until at least March 1.
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All informal student gatherings on or off campus remain limited to no more than 10 people, with face covers and appropriate physical distancing required.
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Testing continues to be mandatory for all students, with compliance reflected on the daily symptom checker for campus access. We will maintain an increased number of checkpoints to verify appropriate clearance.
I am cautiously optimistic that through robust testing and contact tracing, we have managed to reduce transmission of the virus. Caution remains warranted because—despite our on-campus protocols—it is possible that off-campus activity could lead to future spikes, especially with growing circulation of more contagious variants in South Florida. This is not the time to let our guard down.
We appreciate the sacrifices you are making to protect one another and the U. I urge you to continue to do your part. We can overcome any challenge when ’Canes care for ’Canes. |
