The University of New Hampshire (UNH) Chief of Police Paul Dean released a survey to determine who, among faculty, staff and students, was remaining on the Seacoast for winter break and all students were expected to respond.
UNH started to plan for coronavirus (COVID-19) testing over its winter break, beginning Monday, Nov. 30 until Friday, Jan. 29. Faculty and staff will transition from ConvenientMD testing to the UNH COVID Lab beginning on Monday, Nov. 30, using the same self-swabs issued to students.
Students received a survey regarding their plans for the period between Monday, Nov. 23 to Friday, Jan. 29. All students are required to fill out this survey by Friday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m., regardless of if they plan to remain on campus.
All undergraduate and graduate students staying in their regular housing, either off-campus or on-campus in Durham, Dover, Newmarket, or Lee N.H. at any point during the entire period are expected to continue testing twice per week while they reside there. Any students planning to visit campus during that time period are expected to participate in the testing program for the weeks they are expected to visit.
Students will receive a follow-up email later in November as to where to pick up their testing kits and labels.
Dean is also urging students, faculty and staff to update their profile on their WildcatPass to assist with contact tracing.
As of now, approximately 300 students have indicated that they plan to stay in their on-campus apartments for some portion of the winter break, including Gables and Woodsides, according to Housing & Residential Life’s Assistant Director of Apartments and Summer Conferences Victoria Perkins. It is unknown if penalties for non-compliance will remain the same despite the drastically reduced population.
In addition to the 300 students living in on-campus apartments, Perkins said in an email interview with The New Hampshire, “We have approximately 100 students from the residence halls who have indicated they have need to remain in on-campus housing for the break…Housing is working with that cohort to provide accommodations for the break.”
Dean is continuing to urge students, faculty and staff to remain vigilant with precautions taken to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“Stay home if you feel sick, and continue to follow all public health recommendations around mask wearing, hand washing, physical distancing and illness,” said Dean.
Dean also said in an email request for comment from The New Hampshire that details are still currently being worked out and more information regarding the winter break testing will be announced soon.
Photo Courtesy of UNH Chief of Police Paul Dean
