In an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Ohio State is suspending all in-person classes through at least March 30, instead moving to virtual instruction, according to a university-wide email from Ohio State President Michael Drake.
Ohio State also announced a hiatus on the scheduling of "new, non-essential events" through April 20, and is encouraging event organizers for scheduled non-essential events between now and then "to immediately evaluate whether these events should continue in person." The Buckeyes' spring game is currently slated for April 11.
An Ohio State spokesperson told Eleven Warriors that no changes have been made to the Buckeyes' spring football schedule at this time. The Buckeyes are currently slated to return to practice on March 17.
Students, currently on spring break, will be permitted to work from their current place of residence or return to campus "where appropriate social distancing and enhanced preventative public health and hygiene measures will be actively encouraged."
The news follows the first cases of the coronavirus in the state of Ohio, where three people tested positive for the virus in Cuyahoga County.
"While there are no campus-associated cases of COVID-19, we know that there are at least three confirmed cases in the state of Ohio, and we expect that there will be more," Ohio State President Michael Drake said in the email. "We are being proactive in an effort to prevent illness and continue the important work of the university. I understand that our policy guidelines will cause measurable disruption, but the risk of not acting outweighs the inconvenience of these temporary measures."
Ohio State plans to evaluate other classroom experiences such as laboratory and performance classes. The university plans to have more specific guidance on that front later this week.
