Updates regarding indoor masking, COVID-19 testing location

As the University continues to monitor COVID-19 transmission rates on our campuses and across the state, masking will remain optional on all campuses – with the exception of select indoor settings. Effective Monday, April 4, masks will still be required in all classrooms, laboratories, and those spaces where direct academic instruction and research are taking place, unless the professor or staff member expressly waives that requirement.

Masks will continue to be required at URI Health Services and on public transportation, including the URI Shuttle and SafeRide, until further notice. Please review the University’s guidance on face coverings for additional information.

While wearing masks in most indoor areas is optional, please keep in mind there remains a benefit to masking and there are people in our community who will continue to wear them. Masking continues to be recommended for individuals who are immunocompromised or at high risk for disease, as well as for anyone who has a personal preference. Please respect their decisions.

As a reminder, beginning Monday, April 4, all COVID-19 testing will be conducted at the Health Services trailer in the parking lot across from the Potter Building. Symptomatic and asymptomatic testing will continue to be available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with symptomatic testing also available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Please note that with the state being classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a LOW COVID-19 community level, the University is shifting from conducting routine surveillance testing to concentrating on providing same-day testing for individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 and/or those who have been identified as a known exposure.

With just over a month to go before the semester ends, the health and safety of our community remains our main focus. We ask that all members of our community continue to practice good respiratory and hand hygiene and if you have COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home from work or school and obtain a test the same day.  

Thank you for all you have done to get us to this point. Enjoy the rest of the semester!

#rhodytogether