UIC, U. of I., Northwestern: Students will shift to 2 weeks of remote learning after break due to Omicron concerns

The University of Illinois at Chicago and Northwestern University announced Monday that students will shift to remote learning for two weeks after returning from holiday break.

The move is in response to the expected spread of the highly contagious Omicron COVID-19 variant following holiday travel.

“With the Omicron variant fueling a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases across Illinois and the nation, and a likely surge in the coming weeks based on the speed of transmissibility, holiday travel and gatherings, we decided to start the spring semester with two weeks of online instruction,” UIC officials said in an announcement issued Monday to faculty, staff and students.

Exceptions will be made for the health sciences colleges, labs, clinics, internships and other classes that cannot be offered virtually.

The University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign

also announced Monday it would switch to remote learning for one week following the holiday break. The school, along with its Chicago counterpart, will require negative COVID-19 tests before allowing students to return to class.

DePaul University made a similar announcement this month. DePaul and UIC are recommending booster shots but have not mandated them.

Northwestern also announced Monday it will briefly switch to remote learning after returning from winter break. The school is requiring students, faculty and staff get a booster shot.

Northwestern officials attributed the move to “the fast spread of the Omicron variant and guidance from our medical experts.”

The University of Chicago and Loyola University Chicago do not plan to institute remote learning when students return after the holiday break; however, both schools are also requiring booster shots.