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Stanley clarifies the effect Whitmer's orders have on MSU

November 17, 2020
<p>After a spike in cases among students in East Lansing, President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. urged the students, faculty and staff to sign up for a COVID-19 early detection program called Spartan Spit. Elements of the Spartan Spit kit photographed above on Sept. 14, 2020.</p>

After a spike in cases among students in East Lansing, President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. urged the students, faculty and staff to sign up for a COVID-19 early detection program called Spartan Spit. Elements of the Spartan Spit kit photographed above on Sept. 14, 2020.

On Monday evening, MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. sent an email to students regarding Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s statewide regulations and their impact on MSU.

Whitmer announced on Sunday a three-week epidemic order beginning Wednesday, Nov. 18 and ending Dec. 8. Under the order, restaurants are closed for indoor dining, high schools, colleges and universities are closed for in-person learning, and indoor recreational activities are also prohibited.

While the majority of classes at MSU are already online, in-person learning for health care programs are exempt from the new regulations. Graduate and undergraduate research and lab work are not affected by the order.

Indoor dining for restaurants and bars is also not allowed. Dining halls at MSU will continue to be open for dine-in eating with one person per table. There will be six feet between tables to encourage social distancing.

Some NCAA teams were exempt from the regulation that only professional sports with no spectators can play. MSU athletic teams including football, hockey, and men's and women’s basketball will continue to practice and play in games. These teams are tested for COVID-19 six times per week and follow Big Ten Conference rules. 

“I know this news comes at a time when many are already tired, stressed and overwhelmed by the ongoing pandemic," Stanley said. "But as I said last week, we cannot let our guard down. The virus continues to spread, and we need to take the actions we know will stop or slow it down."

Stanley also encourages students to limit their travel as the holiday season approaches.

“Reducing travel and social gatherings is imperative right now, and I need all Spartans to do their part,” he said.

He also recommended that students who plan to travel to look into the COVID-19 Departure Screening and Testing Program, or Spartan Spit. The program will be available both before and after Thanksgiving to let you know if it is recommended for you to seek a clinical COVID-19 test.

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