Following the University’s increased enforcement of COVID-19 safety guidelines, the University directed students to avoid traveling or attending large gatherings this Labor Day weekend. 

“Many of our positive cases these first two weeks were brought from communities without the level of testing we have,” a Massmail on Wednesday stated. 

For students who must travel, the University recommended limiting interactions only to those in one’s immediate family. 

Upon return, all students must take a COVID-19 test and receive a negative result in order to regain access to buildings. 

“While you wait for your results, be cautious and limit time spent outside of your residence, continue wearing your face covering and social distancing in public areas and continue washing your hands multiple times per day,” Danita Brown Young, vice chancellor for student affairs, said in the most recent Massmail on Friday. 

Coinciding with Chancellor Robert Jones’s stay-at-home directive, the City of Urbana has issued Emergency Order No. 20-10, a temporary ban on indoor consumption of food and beverages in campus-area bars and restaurants.

Establishments within the boundaries of Springfield Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Florida Avenue and Wright Street will be subject to the order.

The order took effect Saturday at 5 p.m. and will last through Sept. 16 at 5 p.m.

“The way individuals behave over the next two weeks will determine whether the U of I can remain open for in-person classes this semester, and it will have a direct impact on the health and welfare of our entire community,” Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin said in a news release Friday. 

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