STORRS, Conn. (WCBS 880) — Community leaders in university towns across Connecticut are urging lawmakers to lower gathering sizes amid the pandemic, saying the current rules allows for coronavirus to spread among the student population.
College students are flocking to Connecticut to return to classes, and community leaders worry they are bringing the virus with them. On top of that, the state currently allows for gatherings of 100 people outdoors and 25 people indoors.
However, after a dorm party was thrown on UConn’s campus over the weekend, local leaders are asking for gatherings to be limited to just 25 people outdoors and 10 indoors, and are asking police to step up enforcement.
Several UConn students were kicked out from on-campus housing after a video surfaced showing a packed dorm room party where no one was wearing masks and social distancing rules were ignored.
School leaders said students were jeopardizing their own health and the welfare of others.
As of Friday, 5,423 resident students have been tested for the virus and while there are only 17 reported positive cases, the university says if rules are not followed, the virus will spread.
“Masks will be required in pubic common spaces including classrooms. We have purchased enough masks to supply our entire community,” UConn President Thomas Katsouleas reminded students after news of the dorm party broke.
Students were asked to move to campus two weeks early so that they may quarantine in their dorms for 14-days and ensure the virus is not brought to Connecticut.
Though, after the college party, things could take a turn for the worse.
“There will undoubtedly be more positive cases as more tests result in the coming days, and we will address each the same way as we work to protect the health of individual students and our community,” said UConn Dean of Students Eleanor Daugherty.
Gov. Ned Lamont says he is considering an executive order to lower the cap on crowd sizes in order to stop the gatherings on college campuses.