By Rebecca Aduculesi, News Editor
In an email sent out to the student body on November 10, 2021, students were informed that beginning on November 11, 2021, students will only be required to get tested for COVID-19 once a week, as opposed to twice a week. This test will be a PCR test compared to the previous requirement of a PCR test on Mondays and a rapid test on Thursdays.
In the email, the COVID Monitoring Team expressed, “We are pleased to see continued low numbers of positive cases on the campuses. As such, in consultation with the university’s medical director, we are now in a position to begin slowly dimming certain COVID-19 protocols.” According to the COVID-19 tracker, between October 31, 2021 and November 5, 2021, there were only two positive COVID-19 results from the 1,340 on-campus tests conducted on Beren campus, and zero positive COVID-19 results from the 1,555 on-campus tests conducted on Wilf campus.
Biweekly testing has been in effect since October 4, 2021. Since returning from the holiday break, students were required to receive a PCR test every Monday and a rapid test every Thursday. In the email, students were informed that, “For your convenience, YU will continue to offer PCR testing hours twice a week on both campuses, though students will only be required to test once per week with us.” However, students were also told that YU will no longer be accepting tests taken outside of YU’s official testing “except under unusual circumstances.”
In addition, a new testing schedule was announced. Students were informed that “testing will shift to Mondays and Tuesdays, and will be available on the Beren Campus in room 501 of 215 Lexington from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and on the Wilf Campus in Furst Hall room 501 from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.”
The email also reminded students that “mask requirements remain in place on the campuses – including in all academic and administrative buildings, and indoor public spaces (including the cafeteria) unless you are eating or drinking.” The “temporary” mask mandate has been in effect since August 29, 2021, and has yet to be changed.
Many students had positive reactions towards this news. Eliana Wagner (SCW ‘22) told the YU Observer, “I think it’s a lot easier for students and will make the whole process a lot more manageable. I’m really glad that the school is willing to adapt and work with the student body.”