By CAYSON FRERICHS, NEWS3 Reporter
MACOMB, Illinois (NEWS3) — The Western Illinois University campus moved to Stage III of its unify campus plan. This new stage is due to declining numbers of COVID-19 cases and trends related to the pandemic.
Stage III, which began on Monday, Feb. 15, allows students to eat in the dining halls and the University Union food court 6 feet apart.
It also allows for gatherings on-campus up to 50 people.
“We’ve been pretty lucky so far, this semester has started off much better than last semester,” Dr. Michael Waters, Medical Chief of Staff for Beu Health Center, said. “I was just looking at the dashboard and we’ve only had 26 (COVID-19) cases so far this semester, which is down a lot. So we are doing much better, as far as numbers, and hopefully it will continue that way.”
Before the Stage III plan, students had to eat in their rooms and were not allowed to eat in the dining halls or the Union food court. Also, on-campus gatherings were only allowed 10 people.
The university says those on campus must continue to complete their daily self check-in, wash their hands, socially distance and avoid large gatherings.
For more information on campus COVID-19 protocols, visit wiu.edu/coronavirus.
