By HOI ABC

CHAMPAIGN – Students at University of Illinois will be heading back to class for the fall semester, officials announced Thursday.

That is if the state is in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, which allows larger gatherings and opens more public spaces, according to our news partner HOI ABC.

Classes at all three of the U of I campuses will be held in person and online for the 2020 fall semester.

A system-wide coordination committee assisted groups at each of the three universities that have worked over the past few weeks to develop detailed plans for reopening, according to a release by the university.

Specific plans for each campus will be released in the next few weeks, including starting dates and calendars for the fall semester.

Below is a list of what all campuses will be encompassing:

Campus life

• The size of gatherings will be based on standards under the state reopening guidelines in force this fall and beyond.
• Use of auxiliary facilities such as recreational centers will be limited to preserve safety.
• Outside visitors to campus will be asked to follow physical distancing and wear masks in public places.

Research

• Research activities will continue a ramp-up that began over the summer.
• As in classrooms, masks will be required and other safety measures will be followed.
• Research will continue to support treatments, vaccines and other measures related to COVID-19.

Employees

• Most faculty and staff will continue a phased-in return to work that began in June and will be completed by the start of the fall semester, though some will continue to work from home to reduce campus density.
• Flexible work-from-home guidelines will be developed for the benefit of vulnerable employees and those with family-related considerations.
• Work areas will be cleaned regularly, and hand sanitizer will be provided.
• Masks will be required in publicly shared spaces and reusable masks will be provided to all employees.
• We will continue engagement with our labor unions to discuss the impact of these plans.

Testing and notification

• Our scientists are piloting cutting-edge testing procedures for the COVID-19 virus that are accurate, cost-effective and scalable to the whole university community and provide same-day results.
• We are partnering closely with local public health authorities to notify individuals at risk for infection and mitigate spread, through a combination of manual and rapid app-based approaches.
• All app-based software will protect individual privacy so that positive test results are shared only with the user, and no location data will be required, collected or shared with third parties. Local public health departments will be provided test results based on required local, state and federal regulations.

General safety

• Training will be required for all students and employees to ensure compliance with physical distancing and other COVID-related safety measures.
• Hand sanitizer or disposable wipes will be available at building entrances, elevator lobbies and in common and high-traffic areas.
• High-touch surfaces such as door handles and elevator buttons will be disinfected multiple times daily.
• Flu shots will be strongly encouraged for all students, faculty and staff to lessen the possibility of dual outbreaks when traditional flu season begins.