Dear Members of the Lehigh Community and Lehigh Families,
This week we conclude the last week of classes of the spring semester before final exams. During this busy time, we pause to applaud the entire community for its efforts to support a safe and successful year. This semester, like the one before it, has had its challenges, but we look with optimism to the future and are grateful for the important role students, faculty and staff have played to get us to this point. We are also looking forward to recognizing the great accomplishments of our graduating students in just a few short weeks. We have much to celebrate.
Current Status
Student surveillance testing this week indicates a positivity rate of 0.41%. The Lehigh COVID Dashboard as of today has 10 total active cases for students on and off campus and 0 active cases for faculty and staff. View the Current Campus Status.
PA Mitigation Protocols
This week, Governor Wolf announced all COVID-19 restrictions related to gatherings, restaurants and businesses will be lifted in Pennsylvania on May 31. The masking order will remain in place until 70% of Pennsylvania adults are fully vaccinated.
Lehigh Policies
Businesses and private entities in the Commonwealth can set their own policies for health and safety. We have already lessened some university restrictions, such as gathering sizes, and we have encouraged campus activities through primarily outdoor gatherings. Over the summer, the university will begin a phased return to on-campus work.
The COVID Response team will continue to maintain or adjust policies based on the most current health guidance, taking into account our context as a residential university and prioritizing health and safety for all students, faculty and staff.
For the foreseeable future, we expect to require mask-wearing indoors at Lehigh gatherings, meetings and in classrooms. Individuals who are alone outdoors are no longer required to wear a mask; however, individuals should continue to wear face coverings when < 6 ft of another person and always carry a mask with them for this reason.
As more members of our community are vaccinated and conditions evolve, we will continue to revisit the mitigation of health risks protocols in place. The resources and FAQs on the COVID Information website specifically around vaccination are continually updated, and we encourage you to review the information posted there for the most current policies and information.
Fall 2021 Virtual Discussion
This past week, members of the COVID Response Team and university leaders hosted a virtual discussion for current students about the fall and what to expect in terms of housing, dining, academics, student life, and health and wellness. All community members are encouraged to watch the recording, which provides a look at what a “return to more normal” will look like across the university.
Reminders for Students
- Sign Up for Exit Testing (5/10-5/18)
- Submit Verification of Vaccination on the Lehigh Health and Wellness Center (HWC) health portal, including a copy of your COVID vaccination card, documentation of your full name, name of vaccine received, and the administration date for both doses.
- Request a medical or religious exemption from the student COVID vaccine requirement by following the directions on the HWC website. If you have extenuating circumstances that may prevent you from meeting the summer timeline for vaccination and would like to request an extension, contact the Health and Wellness Center by emailing inluhc@lehigh.edu to document an approved alternative timeline.