University of Virginia President Jim Ryan addressed the University community on Tuesday, outlining three new restrictions that will be in place for at least the next two weeks to help slow the spread of COVID-19 on Grounds.
They started by dropping the limit of people allowed to gather.
“First, gatherings will now be limited to five people, down from a previous limit of 15,” said Ryan. “Students will still be able to safely gather outside, including on the Lawn, but will have to do it in groups of five or fewer. If this new limit is not respected, we may have to consider additional restrictions, including curfews.”
Then Ryan reinforced that students need to wear masks.
“Second, all students will be required to wear masks at all times unless you’re at home in your room, eating, or exercising outdoors or in accordance with the guidelines at one of our on-Grounds IM/Rec facilities. And even when you are exercising, you should always keep a mask on hand in case you run into another person.”
And the University will also be cracking down or travel and visitor policies.
“Finally, we are going to ramp up enforcement of our travel and visitor policies for students, which should be simple to understand and to follow: please do not leave Charlottesville over the next two weeks, and do not invite visitors to come to town. This is to protect people outside this community, as well as to prevent more of the virus from being brought back to Grounds.”
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