With declining COVID-19 positivity rates in the region, Muskegon Community College announced its transition on Monday, June 14, to Phase 5 in its six-phase Campus Plan to Reunite.
The shift, which comes just one month after MCC moved from Phase 3 to Phase 4, marks the first time the College has reached Phase 5 since the Plan to Reunite was established last year. The goal is to reach Phase 6 and a complete return to new normal operations. The recent move was made by the MCC administration following a recommendation from the College’s COVID Response Team.
The change from Phase 4 to Phase 5 allows for more MCC students and employees on campus on a limited basis for classes and/or services; for the MCC Library and the MCC Health and Wellness Center to be open to students and employees only with limited hours of operation; for registered student organizations to meet face to face on campus; and for face-to-face tutoring and testing by appointment only. For a more detailed description of MCC’s six-phase plan and MCC coronavirus-related data and information, visit www.muskegoncc.edu/covid19.
Masks will still be required for those inside campus buildings. Because safety is MCC’s top priority, and because it is required by law, individuals are still required to complete daily health screenings before entering MCC buildings.
Currently, there are no active COVID cases within the MCC campus community. In addition to active cases, the determination of phases is guided by Public Health-Muskegon County guidelines and by the readiness of the campus to safely deliver in-person instruction and services.
The seven-day average COVID-19 positivity rate between June 1-7 in Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa, and Newaygo counties has dropped to less than 4%. In these same counties, 50% or more of residents age 16+ have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Last week, 45 adults and teens received their first vaccine inside the MCC Health and Wellness Center for a total of 2,500 vaccines administered there.