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BSC lowers COVID-19 risk level

Published: Apr 16 2021
BSC lowers COVID-19 risk level - Photo
Bismarck State College has lowered its COVID-19 risk level from Level 3 Moderate Risk to Level 2 Low Risk effective Friday, April 16. A number of factors played into this decision including BSC’s positivity rate which has remained near or at zero percent for several weeks.
 
The risk level change will now allow limited outside visitors in residence halls at two guests per student resident. Guests will be required to follow campus COVID safety protocols including face masks and social distancing.
 
This change will be more accommodating for study groups as final tests are drawing near. It also affords students the extra hands of friends and family to assist them in moving out of residence halls at the end of the semester.
 
BSC President Doug Jensen cited student and employee commitment to mitigation as a factor in the change in risk levels. “Our campus community has been fully committed to the COVID-related safety. With the success of the state’s vaccination rollout, and BSC’s low infection rates, we are expecting to transition to lower risks levels and protocols throughout the summer session and welcome students back this fall without the COVID restrictions that have been in place since March 2020.”
 
The risk level change will not change the 2021 BSC Commencement plans. Due to the release of the Bismarck Event Center lease in February, BSC will move forward with a virtual commencement ceremony on Friday, May 14, and smaller in-person program celebrations on campus.
 
At this time, this risk level change does not affect any of the campus’s primary protective measures. BSC will continue to require masks and social distancing and encouraging good hygiene and testing when needed. BSC will continue to hold Thursday BinaxNow Rapid Testing Events.
 
If BSC students and employees are interested in being vaccinated against COVID-19, Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health (BBPH) is now offering the vaccine to those age 16 and older. To learn more about vaccinations, see the BSC vaccination information at bismarckstate.edu/vaccine.
 
BSC will continue to monitor campus, county and state COVID-19 information, and will adjust its risk levels as needed to ensure a safe and healthy campus. To learn more, see the Risk Level Chart at bismarckstate.edu/covid.