COVID-19 Update: Complying with CDPHE Orders

Dear DU community members,

This is a follow up to my October 27, 2020 message regarding the announcement by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) that the City of Denver will move to Safer at Home Level 3. This shift is now complete, and the University is operating in compliance with all requirements in the CDPHE public health order. Specifically:

• We are below 25 percent occupancy in each building, as tracked by building badge access. No changes are needed to your current on-campus engagement for classes or other approved activities.
• Most courses and all events have fewer than 25 people. The small number of in-person courses with more than 25 people are allowed to continue as they follow strict 6-foot social distancing and are considered essential. Please continue to comply fully with all of our COVID-19 protocols in- and outside of classrooms.
• Residential students are able to continue to live in their residence halls, eat in the dining halls and engage in approved activities or socialize in groups of no more than 10 people from no more than two living pods (roommates, suitemates).
• Events and activities that comply with Level 3 requirements will continue.
• The Coors Fitness Center is permitted to remain open with a capacity of 25 percent and no more than 25 people at a time. This includes the free weight and exercise equipment areas. The swimming pool and the Joy Burns Arena will each be subject to the same capacity restrictions.

The University is taking the following additional steps:

Travel

Our travel quarantine protocol is extended through the end of the calendar year. If faculty, staff, or students travel outside of Colorado for any reason between now and the end of the calendar year, they must quarantine away from campus for 10 days before returning to campus.

Countdown to the end of term

The conditions in Denver, the state of Colorado and the nation are very concerning. As we look toward the end of term and possibly reuniting with family and friends that we haven’t seen in several months, it is very important that we leave DU healthy. We understand that extended behavior control is difficult, but it is essential. Together we have done a great job of limiting the spread of the virus on campus. If we are vigilant in our mask wearing, social distancing, hand washing and other mitigation strategies, we can reunite with our friends and family feeling comfortable that we are unlikely to be spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.

Testing will continue on campus through the last week of class and over winter break on a more limited fashion for essential employees who remain over the break. Staying healthy and virus free allows us to return to our friends and families and safely enjoy a much-needed break.

For additional FAQs, please visit: https://www.du.edu/coronavirus/operations/safer-home-level-3

For updated dashboard data, please visit: https://www.du.edu/coronavirus/dashboard

Thank you for continuing to #DUYourPart.

Sincerely,

Sarah Watamura
COVID Coordinator