Emphasis on new virus protocol as US colleges prepare for students to return

The past year has been highly unusual for US colleges, given the coronavirus outbreak on several campuses, which not only brought about the norm of online classes, but also added a long list of protocols to be followed in order to keep campuses open. 

Several colleges are faced with the challenge of bringing back students after winter holidays amid rising infection numbers. 

In order to minimise risk, many institutes are adjusting testing protocols, introducing new screenings and eliminating spring breaks to discourage students from travelling, thus curtailing a potential spike in cases.

Apart from the standard measures of social distancing, mandatory wearing of masks and not forming large groups, institutes are incorporating measures such as saliva testing (California Polytechnical University), twice-weekly rapid antigen tests  (Colby College), and getting students tested before they come to campus rather upon their arrival. 

These aspects are receiving a lot of emphasis because plenty of schools still want to preserve a residential college experience for its students, despite a growing number of schools opting for virtual learning.