ORONO, Maine — In-person classes resumed Monday for the University of Maine System (UMS).
Some students attended in-person classes while others took classes strictly online.
Going into the fall semester, the University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy said, "There is a little bit of nervousness, but also a little bit of confidence."
Throughout UMS precautions are being taken to keep students and staff
Ferrini-Mundy said some desks and chairs have been removed from classrooms. This is so students and professors can stay 6 feet apart to prevent any possible spread of COVID-19.
"We've been planning very carefully and our teams here at the university are really committed, so we're ready," Ferrini-Mundy said.
As of Monday, more than 5,000 people across the UMaine System were tested for COVID-19. 12 people, including 8 students, tested positive.
Right now, the university is wrapping up phase one of the strategy, which was the COVID-19 arrival screening as part of move-in.
Phase two begins this week and involves a second round of testing in the next seven to 10 days.
Eventually, there will be a third phase where 2,000 COVID-19 asymptomatic tests will be taken at least every 10 days through Thanksgiving.
Students will be sent home and ll classes will transition to remote learning for the remainder of the semester after Thanksgiving.