Polk State returns to pre-pandemic operations

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

For the past few weeks, Polk County has been categorized as having “low” COVID-19 community level infections by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and guidance regarding COVID-19 released by the (CDC) in August 2022 stated that high levels of immunity and availability of effective COVID-19 prevention and management resources have reduced the risk for medically significant illness and death.

Additionally, as of last month, all major Polk County health care providers have dropped the supplemental mask requirements that they adopted because of the pandemic.

As such, effectively immediately, the College will return to pre-pandemic operations and exit Phase III of the Return to Campus Plan.

This means:

  • Individuals are encouraged to remain informed of COVID-19 community levels which should guide their preventative actions.
  • Individuals are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with vaccination including those for flu.
  • The College will end contact-tracing activities immediately and strongly encourages all individuals to monitor their health and stay home if sick. This is not just limited to COVID-19, but for any illness.
  • Student and academic services including advising, testing, libraries, and tutoring will continue to be offered in face-to-face, remote, and hybrid formats.
  • Weight rooms and the gym will be open as they were prior to the pandemic.
  • The College is aggressively pursuing food service options and will provide an update as soon as possible. Vending machines continue to be a food service option on campus.

Protecting the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff while returning to pre-pandemic operations remains the College’s priority.

The College cannot stress enough the importance of staying home if you are ill or experiencing symptoms of illness including COVID, seasonal flu, respiratory infection, etc.