NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) – College of Oklahoma directors are limiting the college’s COVID-19 vaccination necessities and modifying its social distancing coverage.
The necessities might be restricted, starting June 1, to “college students, college and employees who’ve patient-facing obligations and those that request to volunteer, shadow or observe in affected person care settings; and all those that elect to take part in examine overseas packages,” in line with an OU information launch.
Nonetheless, college officers “strongly encourage” all members of the OU neighborhood to get vaccinated, particularly these residing in campus housing.
The brand new necessities might be in impact resulting in the autumn semester. Modifications to the coverage might be introduced.
“From the start of the pandemic, the well being and well-being of the OU neighborhood has been our most important focus and it’ll stay so,” mentioned OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “Based mostly upon the data obtainable right now, we don’t imagine requiring vaccination for all of our college students is important. Whereas we’re not requiring widespread vaccination for our college students, we do strongly urge them to contemplate being vaccinated in the event that they haven’t already. There are two exceptions: we’re instituting vaccination necessities for individuals who are interacting with sufferers and those that take part in our examine overseas packages. We imagine these necessities in sure college settings is each prudent and essential.”
All three OU campuses will start a phased modification of sure COVID-19 precautions in mild of the deliberate resumption of in-person lessons at common capability for the autumn 2023 semester.
The college’s social distancing tips are additionally altering, shifting to a few ft from the six ft requirement in all areas besides affected person care settings and designated indoor consuming areas, which is able to stay at six ft, in line with the information launch.
College officers additionally plan to include new CDC steering on lowering masking necessities for sure outside actions. Plans might be modified based mostly on the pandemic’s standing.
“As we strategy a totally in-person semester this coming fall, we’re rigorously listening to the CDC and making changes to our mitigation methods as acceptable,” mentioned OU Chief COVID Officer Dr. Dale Bratzler. “We proceed to advise all OU populations to be vaccinated and to put on a masks when indoors.”
All three OU campuses have COVID-19 vaccines obtainable to all college students, college and employees. Go to ou.edu/collectively/vaccine for extra details about vaccine distribution at OU.
Go to ou.edu/collectively for additional info and common updates on OU’s COVID-19 response.
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