Marist Reaches Yellow Alert Level, Implements Guest Restrictions

A recent rise in COVID-19 cases on campus pushed the college to implement new guest policies, effective March 15-22, announced in an email on Monday. The college also updated the COVID-19 dashboard, which now shows 88 active cases of COVID-19 –– 86 students and two employees.   

The college is currently at a yellow alert level for COVID-19 cases, meaning that the “incidence of the virus remains low, but the potential for an increase in transmission exists.” The college has now administered 2,233 COVID-19 tests in the spring semester. 

“Over the last few days and through the weekend we have seen an influx of positive COVID-19 cases within the Marist community,” the Executive Office of the President said. “Our testing and contact tracing teams have reacted quickly to contain the issues to date, but we need to take additional actions. Our data illustrate that the recent uptick in positive COVID-19 cases can be traced to increased socializing among students. As a result, the College is placing additional limitations on visitors to residence halls for a full week.” 

The college has put new visitor policies in place effective for the next week to try and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on campus. The new limitations include no guests allowed in any residence hall on campus and students on and off-campus should limit gatherings to their households. The administration also added that the Office of Safety and Security will be patrolling all week to ensure the college’s guidelines are being followed both on and off-campus. 

“These and other requirements for public health will be vigorously enforced for the benefit of the community and to help ensure a successful Spring 2021 semester,” the administration said. “We know how difficult it is to maintain vigilance in the face of these factors, but to ensure the best possible Spring 2021 semester, we all need to maintain the discipline that has served the College community so well this past year.”

If the new policies aren’t being followed by students and cases continue to increase on campus, the college could face additional restrictions. The restrictions include limitations on “in-person dining, closing the McCann Fitness Center, switching all courses to remote instruction and Initializing a campus lockdown.” 

“We understand the challenges associated with the pandemic, especially as it passes the one-year anniversary of lockdowns and mandatory health and safety guidelines,” the administration said. “With the advent of greater availability of vaccines and spring weather upon us, it is easy to become complacent. If students comply with these restrictions and comply with our well-known public health protocols, we will see a decrease in active COVID-19 cases within our community.”

Any student experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should reach out to Health Services (health.services@marist.edu) or 845-575-3270.

The college also updated the COVID-19 dashboard, which now shows 88 active cases of COVID-19 –– 86 students and two employees.  Source: Greta Stuckey