St. Cloud State University continues to monitor the declining COVID-19 case rates on campus and across the state. We will continue to follow Minnesota State system office directives on masking and safety protocols on campus. The system office is also monitoring the COVID situation in Minnesota, and is in frequent consultation with the Minnesota Department of Health in evaluating campus health and safety guidelines.
Masking Guidelines
The current guidelines from the system office call for masking requirements on campus when transmission rates in that campus’s county are High or Substantial. In order for transmission rates to fall to a moderate level—which is the next level below Substantial — new cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days must be lower than 50, and the percentage of positive PCR tests during the past 7 days must be below 8%. If Stearns County (St. Cloud campus) or Hennepin County (Plymouth campus) fall into the Moderate transmission category or below, and remain in that category for at least 14 days, then the mask requirement can be lifted for the campus located in that county. We will continue to monitor transmission rates.
There is news today that the CDC is likely revising masking guidance. If the CDC does make changes, the Minnesota State system office will then review that guidance, and may issue changes to the masking guidelines for campuses. If such a change occurs, St. Cloud State will adopt and communicate any new system office guidelines to campus.
If a mask requirement is lifted on campus, anyone who still wishes to wear a mask voluntarily will be encouraged to do so.
Upcoming Testing Event and Options
St. Cloud State will be offering a COVID-19 testing event to all employees and students 1-3:30 p.m. March 15 as we return from spring break. This testing will be held in Atwood in the Cascade room — please note the change in location from previous testing events.
The National Guard Armory in St. Cloud continues to offer free saliva testing Monday-Friday, with the current hours of 11 a.m.-6 p.m. No appointment is needed, and walk-ins are welcome. Check the MDH community testing locations website for information about other testing locations or any change in hours at the St. Cloud Armory site due to a holiday. The Armory is located at 1710 Veterans Dr., which is on Metro Bus Route 4. As a reminder, St. Cloud State students can use Metro Bus for free by showing their campus card on boarding.
Testing and Spring Break
As we prepare for spring break week, please note that students who are normally required to test weekly because they are residential students and/or participating in designated extracurricular activities (including experiential learning/practicum activities) will not be required to test over spring break (March 7-11) if they will not be on campus during that time period. Regularly scheduled testing will resume for these students once they return to campus after the break. Students planning to remain on campus during spring break week will be required to test per the regular schedule.
If a student experiences symptoms of COVID-19, tests are available at the SCSU Medical Clinic during normal operating hours. Call to schedule a test, and visit the Clinic’s Coronavirus/COVID-19 Information page for more information.
St. Cloud State continues to strongly encourage all students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated, and to get a booster shot once you’re eligible for one. Vaccination is one of the best methods to protect against serious illness from COVID-19, and reduces the risk of infection.