With Rhode Island reporting more COVID-19 cases per capita than any other state last week and cases increasing at URI, the University of Rhode Island reminds community members to follow all health and safety guidelines and abide by all University policies.
It is critically important that all faculty, staff and students know that following the guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Rhode Island Department of Health prevents the spread of the virus.
You must complete the daily health assessment prior to coming to campus and before you participate in work, surveillance testing and other activities. The University has seen too many community members show up for campus surveillance testing without filling out the assessment prior to arriving on campus. Some have even arrived for surveillance testing while exhibiting symptoms, which put those working at the Memorial Union testing site at risk. Please do not come to campus if you are ill, even mildly.
Students experiencing symptoms should make an appointment for evaluation and testing at URI Health Services as soon as possible by calling Health Services at 401.874.2246 during business hours (8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday). Please visit the website for winter break and J-term hours.
Faculty and staff who are symptomatic and want to be tested should contact their primary health care provider.
Please continue to follow all the health and safety guidelines we have in place including wearing your mask at all times on all of our campuses, unless you are in a private office. Please remember to maintain at least 6 feet between you and another individual at all times.
The University is seeing an increase in the number of staff testing positive so it is critically important for supervisors and coworkers to remind one another to follow the COVID-19 prevention guidelines. Please limit the number of individuals in break rooms, in state vehicles, and in confined spaces. Whenever possible, please continue to use a virtual platform to have staff meetings and training sessions.
If we follow the guidelines and do our best to protect each other, we are more likely to remain healthy during this holiday season.