BOULDER – The University of Colorado Boulder will resume some in-person classes next week as coronavirus cases among students have decreased after strict university regulations and local public health orders.
University Chancellor Phillip DiStefano announced the change on Wednesday after Boulder health officials approved the gradual scaling back of restrictions on the gathering of 18- to 22-year-olds and people living in collegiate group homes.
Public health officials had banned gatherings of more than two 18- to 22-year-olds in September after a substantial increase of coronavirus cases among off-campus students. The scaling back of restrictions will go into effect at noon Thursday.
Not until the 14-day average of new cases among 18- to 22-year-olds falls below 250, the case positivity rate is below 5% and testing rates become more consistent with the rest of the population will that age group be given the same restrictions as the rest of the state.
The restrictions will not apply to in-person learning.
“We expect most classes to fully return to their original fall 2020 instructional modes by this date, with exceptions based on specific public health requirements and individual faculty requests, subject to department chair and dean approvals,” DiStefano wrote.
The restrictions apply for social gatherings, dining or any other regulated gathering such as fitness classes or university events, the Daily Camera reported.
The second public health order said collegiate group homes, primarily on-campus fraternities and sororities, can be released from stay-at-home orders after Oct. 12 if they submit and the Boulder County Public Health approves a plan for preventing future outbreaks.
