Liberty University returning to in-person instruction

Liberty University is returning to in-person instruction after a two-week shutdown due to rising COVID-19 cases.

“All residential classes will resume in-person on Monday, Sept. 13, as scheduled. Students and faculty are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings. The university will continue to offer a digital instruction option for students for a period of time; special permission to attend virtually will not be required during this time,” the university said in a statement on Friday. 

Liberty also said quarantines will still be required for students who tested positive for the virus and social distancing and mask-wearing will be encouraged on campus. 

Campus activates such as indoor sporting events, recreation activities, and campus events will be reduced to 50 percent capacity as well. 

“Thank you for doing your part to mitigate the spread of this disease. This is a matter of personal responsibility, and we ask that you continue to take the right steps to protect yourself and others,” the university said. 

Liberty reported 463 new COVID cases last week between 399 students and 64 staff faculty, which is a slight decrease of 488 COVID cases reported the week prior, The News & Advance of Lynchburg reported. 

The university peaked with 141 COVID cases last fall, which led to the school quarantining close to 1,200 people in response. 

The Lynchburg, Va.-based institution is one of the few schools in the state that hasn’t mandated COVID-19 vaccines or mask-wearing in classrooms or on campus, the Lynchburg newspaper noted.