Schools

Rider Uni. Ends Indoor Mask Mandates & COVID Testing Protocols

The Lawrenceville-based University has lifted mask mandates for all regardless of vaccination status.

Beginning Wednesday, March 30, the University will also end its "surveillance​" COVID-19 testing protocol for unvaccinated students and employees
Beginning Wednesday, March 30, the University will also end its "surveillance​" COVID-19 testing protocol for unvaccinated students and employees (Peter G Borg/Rider University)

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Rider University announced it was ending the indoor mask mandate for all, regardless of vaccination status, beginning Saturday, March 5. However, those who wish to wear a mask on campus can still do so, the University said.

After March 5, students and employees will only be required to wear masks indoors when at the Student Health Center, during days six through 10 following quarantine or isolation, and for the period of 10 days following exposure for close contacts, the University said.

Beginning Wednesday, March 30, the University will also end its "surveillance" COVID-19 testing protocol for unvaccinated students and employees and will suspend its testing protocol for productions and concerts. This means, vaccinated and unvaccinated students can perform on stage without testing or masks unless it is during days six through 10 following quarantine or isolation.

Find out what's happening in Lawrencevillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“The announcement coincides with updated guidance and tools from the New Jersey Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as a new CDC dashboard that tracks COVID-19 activity county-by-county to help communities decide what prevention steps to take. Mercer County is currently considered low,” the University said in a statement.

Although masks mandates have been lifted, some protocols will currently remain in place. The Student Health Center will continue to offer diagnostic testing for symptomatic students, and Athletics will continue testing student-athletes as per NCAA requirements.

Find out what's happening in Lawrencevillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The University said it will continue contact tracing and enforce state Department of Health and CDC quarantine and isolation guidance.

Students and employees still need to monitor their symptoms daily. They are not come to campus or attend classes, activities, or events if they are symptomatic, University officials said. For the 2022-23 academic year, the University will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, except for those who are enrolled in fully online degree programs or who are granted medical or religious exemptions.

Rider University joins a growing number of institutions, like Princeton and the College of New Jersey, in lifting mask mandates following a drop in positive COVID-19 cases in the region.


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