RIT phasing out color-coded COVID status system

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC)— The Rochester Institute of Technology is phasing out a number of its COVID-19 procedures including its color-coded status system and its daily health screenings.

In a release Wednesday the university said the move was made due to increasing vaccination rates and pull back of New York State’s previous restrictions.

The color-coded system was used to determine and define the COVID risk on campus and was broken down from low to high risk using colors like green to red.

RIT reports it sits at a 94% vaccination rate, and is mandating students and staff get the shot, albeit with religious and medical exemptions allowed.

Elsewhere, the University of Rochester said in a June 23 release that it will keep its health screenings, as well as its vaccine requirement. According to the State University of New York, masks are still required in classroom settings, regardless of vaccination status, though vaccinated students can be unmasked in other campus settings.

You may recall Gov. Cuomo was pushing for a vaccine mandate at SUNY and CUNY schools, that decision still faces a legal hurdle and is pending the full federal approval of the vaccines.

As for RIT, it says updated guidance for class and campus life will be released in the coming weeks.