Nova Community College Turns To Virtual Classes Amid Coronavirus

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is preparing a transition to online classes for at least several weeks in light of the outbreak of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19

The community college cancelled classes on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 to prepare for the shift to the online-only model. All classes will be conducted online from Wednesday, March 18 to April 4. In-person student organized activities will be suspended until April 4. NOVA will provide another update by March 27 should there be a decision to extend the virtual learning approach beyond April 4.

NOVA said in a statement the decision is "out of an abundance of caution and with a goal of supporting CDC guidance regarding social distancing during the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak." There are no known new coronavirus cases at the community college, the second largest in the U.S. with 75,000 students and 2,600 faculty and staff members. It has campuses in Annandale, Alexandria, Manassas, Loudoun County, Springfield and Woodbridge, as well as a center in Reston and online learning.

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In addition, NOVA is requiring students, faculty and staff to self-quarantine for 14 days after returning from countries under the CDC's level two or three travel warnings. As of Wednesday, China, Iran, South Korea and Italy are under level three travel warnings, and Japan is under a level two travel warning. Individuals who have traveled to these countries must self-quarantine for 14 days whether or not they are showing symptoms of the new coronavirus (fever, cough and shortness of breath). Individuals won't be allowed to access NOVA campuses or activities during self-quarantine.

The NOVA campuses will remain open to allow faculty and staff to develop and send lessons and materials electronically, as well as allow staff and administrators to provide services for response efforts. Employees are advised to contact their supervisors about working remotely.

"NOVA continues to monitor the situation locally and will update as developments warrant," the statement from NOVA says. "At this point, prevention and preparation are the best courses of action, and NOVA encourages all students, faculty, staff and community members to follow the CDC recommended hygiene and social distancing practices."

NOVA joins the University of Virginia, American University, University of Maryland and other institutions in shifting to an online approach in response to the new coronavirus.

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