UMD to start undergraduate classes online, delay in-person instruction for two weeks

The University of Maryland announced Monday it will delay undergraduate in-person instruction until Sept. 14 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The delay will allow the university to implement campuswide COVID-19 testing and phase in on-campus activities, according to a campuswide email from university President Darryll Pines.

Last month, the University System of Maryland mandated COVID-19 testing for those planning to return to campus in-person in the fall. In Monday’s email, Pines reiterated this requirement, adding that students will also be required to be tested after arriving on the campus.

The university is offering free testing to community members in upcoming weeks, and additional details on how to upload your test results prior to coming to campus and on the campus testing will be provided by the University Health Center shortly, according to the email.

Pines emphasized that the ability to resume in-person instruction on Sept. 14 depends on the community’s adoption of safe behaviors outlined in the school’s reopening plan, “4 Maryland.”