University News

WIU Office of Risk Management: Statewide COVID Mitigation  

November 18, 2020

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- According to the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), the statewide mitigations that will go into effect Friday, Nov. 20 will not impact Illinois colleges and universities. Western Illinois University will finish the in-person phase of the semester Friday, Nov. 20 as originally scheduled.  

As the University has closely followed COVID incidents throughout the state, as well as guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Office of the Governor, and the McDonough County and Rock Island County health departments, many of the mitigation efforts/restrictions going into effect Friday have already been implemented at WIU. In the spirit of the Governor's mitigation plan, WIU departments/divisions should review and implement recommendations from the Tier III guidance, to the best of their ability. For example, the University Bookstore will be moving to 25 percent capacity within the store, and Campus Recreation is discontinuing all group classes, along with other practices.

In addition to Gov. Pritzker's Tier III mitigation plan, many municipalities, including Chicago, have implemented travel orders for those coming into the city. Before departing campus and the Macomb/Quad Cities regions, individuals should research their travel destination.

As stated in the statewide mitigation plan, the University will continue to allow employees who can complete their work from home to do so. Employees who choose to work from home must work with their supervisor to confirm the remote work arrangement. 

Over the next three weeks, the University will continue to operate onsite testing for those individuals who are living in the residence halls and working on campus. Dates, times, and directions will be shared in a separate communication. 

For the complete Restore IL Mitigation Plan, visit https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/restore-illinois-mitigation-plan. For WIU COVID protocols and information, visit wiu.edu/coronavirus. 

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing