HICKORY, N.C. — Masks are required on many North Carolina college campuses and now one is requiring students and faculty to test negative for the virus before they can even come on school grounds.
Some students at Lenoir-Rhyne University told Channel 9 they’ve had to scramble to get the testing done after being told this weekend that they would need a test to come to campus.
[ ALSO READ: App State has spent more than $11M on virus-related supplies, expenses ]
The university just issued a new policy requiring students and faculty to take a test and have the results ready by the time they come to campus. The rule includes both students living in residential halls and those commuting to campus on the first day of classes.
The decision to test anyone coming on to campus was made by the University’s Presidential Task Force for COVID-19. The university’s president, Dr. Fred Whitt, believes the testing will help keep everyone safe as they return.
>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.
Students expressed concern about the quarantine requirements after taking a test and turn around time to get results.
Whitt told us one factor in the decision is asymptomatic cases. He said previous testing of student athletes and others have discovered several of those cases.
“We’ve already had 10 students self report positive asymptomatic and so they won’t come back to campus until they quarantine and a healthcare provider indicates that’s been completed,” he said.
The university is also requiring face masks and reducing class sizes. Some students will begin moving in next Tuesday.
This browser does not support the video element.