Rutgers confirms full return to campus next Monday following temporary remote instruction

Rutgers will make a full return to campus next Monday as planned based on the improving health statistics seen throughout the state surrounding the omicron coronavirus disease (COVID-19) variant, according to a University-wide email sent on Friday.

“We believe that this relatively short delay will be long enough to help our community move past the worst of omicron safely without affecting the pace of the semester,” said University President Jonathan Holloway in a University-wide email sent last Tuesday.

This announcement comes alongside various other updates in terms of what the return to campus will look like.

Rutgers will continue to require the use of face coverings and has acquired a supply of KN95 masks to be made available to students and employees who want them, according to the email. The University strongly recommends the use of the KN95 masks but will also continue to make available Rutgers-branded cloth face masks for free.

The distribution of KN95 masks will begin on Saturday, with information regarding the process to be announced soon.

In addition, effective next Monday, the University will be returning to its previous COVID-19 testing protocols, with on-campus testing only being available to Rutgers employees with a medical or religious vaccine exemption, according to the email. Unvaccinated individuals are required to partake in weekly testing regardless of work location or schedule.

In-person events will also return next Monday, with attendees being required to provide proof of full vaccination or a COVID-19 negative polymerase chain reaction test taken within 72 hours of attendance.

Events that are specifically sponsored or hosted by Rutgers students and attended only by Rutgers students will not require proof of vaccine or negative test, according to the email. Though, a student ID card will be necessary for attendance.

“The health and safety of our community remains our top priority,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Antonio M. Calcado in the email. “Protocols will change as we consult with public health agencies and assess data, including the number of positive cases in New Jersey, COVID-19 hospitalizations, state and regional hospital capacity and the severity of the dominant variant.”