University to ease restrictions on gatherings, heat outdoor spaces, provide indoor dining

The University will begin to loosen restrictions as a result of a decrease in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the community, vice president for student affairs Erin Hoffmann Harding said in an email Thursday.

Students may begin to gather outdoors in groups of 20 or fewer, and indoor gatherings will depend on the distanced capacity of the space to allow for proper physical distancing.

As a result of a decrease in case counts in residence halls, up to two additional residents of the same residence hall may gather in another student’s room. All will be required to wear masks, physically distance and leave the doors open.

“If this extension is successful and case counts stay low, we anticipate modifying the guest policy again by opening up 24-hour space in a few weeks,” Hoffmann Harding said. “Please help us achieve this goal by continuing to follow all requested health and safety protocols.”

The University has extended hours in a number of spaces across campus, and the eighth floor of Duncan Student Center will now be open for study use between 8 p.m. and midnight daily.

A number of outdoor locations will begin to be heated, including Library Lawn, South Lawn, North Quad, South Quad, East Quad and West Quad.

North and South Dining Halls will offer indoor dining with physically distanced seats and plexiglass shields.

“These steps will increase seating capacity while reducing potential virus transmission,” Hoffmann Harding said. “All meals will continue to be served in takeout containers with additional seating available in the adjacent heated tents and other locations around campus.”

More details regarding the Winter Session will be relayed in the next few weeks. Notre Dame will offer a limited number of housing options during the session, but separate charges and contracts will apply.

Hoffmann Harding closed the email by reminding students to continue to follow the health and safety protocols.

“Thank you for all you are doing to keep us healthy by following the University’s health and safety protocols,” Hoffmann Harding said. “I am proud of our community and grateful to be on campus together.”