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Due to weather conditions, all classes today, Friday, March 31, will be held as scheduled. Saturday, April 1, in-person classes and services will start at 10:00 a.m. Online classes and services will occur as scheduled. Please check email for further details.
Metropolitan State University (Home)

July 22, 2021 MetroSafe Update

Posted Friday, July 30, 2021 | Announcements to Employees

While new and active cases in the state are at the lowest since April 2020, the spread of variants and the slowing pace of vaccinations demands continued caution. More than 3 million Minnesotans 12 and older have now received at least one vaccine dose. 66.65% of residents aged 16+ have received at least one dose of vaccine. This data and overall trends support medical and scientific communities messaging that vaccinations work to control the spread of COVID-19. It’s still important to get vaccinated to protect you from COVID-19. The virus will continue to spread and is an opportunity for a variant to mutate and impact those not vaccinated or vulnerable to the disease.

COVID-19 campus exposure update

For the week of July 7–July 13, Metropolitan State has reported 1 COVID-19 cases to the Minnesota State dashboard among individuals associated with our campus. This individual was not thought to have been contagious while on campus. The data reported is shown below:

Students—Week of 7/7/2021 - 7/13/2021 / Total from 08/24/2020 - 7/13/2021

Case Number/ Total Reports—0 / 389

Negative—0 / 91

Unknown/ Unconfirmed—0 / 0

Positive (Reported to System Dashboard)—1 / 298

Contagious while on campus—0 / 22

Not Contagious or Not on Campus—1 / 276

Recovered (Isolation has ended)—0 / 297

Employees—Week of 7/7/2021 - 7/13/2021 / Total from 08/24/2020 - 7/13/2021

Case Number/ Total Reports—0 / 26

Negative—0 / 0

Unknown/ Unconfirmed—0 / 1

Positive (Reported to System Dashboard)—0 / 19

Contagious while on campus—0 / 2

Not Contagious or Not on Campus—0 / 24

Recovered (Isolation has ended)—0 / 25

Data may not be comprehensive or in real-time​ due to testing and reporting delays and are subject to change. Individuals, particularly those that have been at one of our locations, are also encouraged to report any COVID-19 health updates through our reporting form. As part of the Minnesota State system and in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Health, Metropolitan State posts a link to the Minnesota State COVID-19 dashboard on the website.

Find a vaccination and vaccine information
General information regarding vaccinations can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health website. Minnesotans can use the online vaccine locator map to find vaccine locations near them and contact those health care providers with questions.

Reminder of travel requirements
As day-to-day life begins to return to a more normal posture, it is wise to keep abreast of the latest requirements for domestic and international travel. For international travel, it is particularly important to be aware of changing restrictions and requirements; information on this can be found at the U.S. State Department’s international travel page. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have recommendations for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

Similarly, international air passengers coming into the country will be required to enter United States (including U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents) to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of departure or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days​.

The Minnesota State System Office’s guidance on travel is as follows:

  • Guidance suspending international travel has not changed from the last communication (Feb. 23, 2021). For the 2021 fall semester, campuses can continue to plan for future semester study abroad experiences and short-term study abroad trips. The system office is not restricting campuses from engaging in this type of planning activity, however, institutions need to consider the many decision points in planning for study abroad and study away that allow for opportunities to review the situation and act appropriately. Changes and updates to travel restrictions will be communicated when appropriate.
  • Domestic out-of-state travel guidelines will continue to follow local advisories, and changes will be communicated regularly. All college/university sponsored domestic travel requests by students, faculty, or staff should refer to the Out-of-State Travel Request form, which has been updated to note that approval to travel is applicable at the time of actual travel.

Campus Access
As the campus health screening tool is no longer being used when you arrive on campus, students and employees will need their ID card to access the Saint Paul Campus buildings. The Fine Art Studio, ICES, and the Grow IT Center will be opened by request only during summer semester. Staff can contact security for access to the ICES building. Information about acquiring an ID card can be found on the library’s website.

Events on Campus
Metro State will continue to limit outside group events this summer while we have limited staffing on site. Large group events that would be held in person are being reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis. A written safety plan may also be required. Please allow adequate advance notice of two weeks when submitting you event reservation in the service portal.

Planning internal meetings for fall
If you are planning a department internal meeting, please submit your request as normal through the virtual event management system in the service portal. We are limiting reservations to specific department events. Please specify time periods for your meeting reservation. Due to limited capacity, we cannot approve full day reservations at this time.

Return to Campus Planning
Campus Operations safety staff are completing individual department meetings with supervisors who completed the safety survey next week. Acrylic barrier screens and floor signage will be installed in the next two weeks.