Life in Berkeley Dorms

From SFGATE: Police officers monitoring dormitory halls, frequent inspections of ID cards — these are among the measures being implemented in a dorm lockdown as UC Berkeley continues to grapple with a spike of COVID-19 cases on campus.

First reported by the Daily Californian, the self-sequester mandate for UC Berkeley students living in the dormitories, originally intended to end Monday, has been extended for another week, with stricter security measures in place to enforce quarantining.

“We don’t wish for residents to be alarmed by this increased UCPD presence, but we must ensure the health of our community,” an email sent out to students reads. The email also notes that more university staff will be monitoring dorms, in addition to campus security officers.

Another new measure also in place: a ban on solitary outdoor exercise, which was not in place during the initial lockdown period... "We are working with the city of Berkeley to determine whether outdoor exercise may be permitted, and we will provide more information on this in the near future," reads a memo from the university on the matter.

The policies that remain in effect for students include not leaving their rooms unless it is to obtain a COVID-19 test or medical care (including mental health care), use the bathroom or grab food from the dining halls. Students who violate these measures, the university says, may face the threat of suspension or removal from dorms. The self-sequester only affects students living in Berkeley-sponsored dorms and not those living in housing off-campus or apartments owned by the school.

Students have allegedly reported external violations of COVID-19 guidelines, however — including parties in fraternities and other, off-campus sites...

Between Jan. 31 and Feb. 6, 164 students, faculty and staff tested positive for COVID-19, according to the university's COVID-19 dashboard, a 12% increase from the week earlier. That coincided with a slight decrease in the number of tests administered, meaning the increase in cases can't be explained by expanded testing. A representative for the university did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.

Full story at https://www.sfgate.com/education/amp/Police-dorms-outdoor-exercise-UC-Berkeley-lockdown-15937294.php