MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University students living in off-campus housing are being asked to move out between May 1 and May 16 under guidelines from local and university officials.
Under the agreement between the Monongalia County Health Department, Morgantown officials, the university and landlords, students and families will have 24 hours to move out or face a mandatory quarantine.
More than 10,000 students and their families are expected to be in Morgantown during this period.
“We’ve followed up and communicated with our students and families about what the expectation is,” said Corey Farris, WVU’s dean of students. “That’s including things like when you come to town you need to have a mask.”
Landlords are making arrangements regarding facemasks and furniture drop-off locations. Dumpsters will be located at six locations.
The Monongalia County Commission has asked Gov. Jim Justice for an executive order making masks mandatory during the move.
“All of us are aware across the country that it’s important to wear a mask to protect what we have from spreading to someone else,” Farris said. “Many folks are already going to come to campus with a mask.”
Local hotels have made arrangements for families traveling from a long distance. Officials have asked landlords to schedule move-outs for multi-person units to keep people separated.
Anyone who is sick should not travel to Morgantown.