The Return to Campus Committee shared an updated memorandum on NYU Abu Dhabi policies with the community on Feb. 18, detailing changes in all areas of campus life. The memorandum — which seems to be the most anticipated one since the start of the pandemic — brings a lot of good news to the NYUAD community. Here is a summary of these announcements:

The Return to Campus Committee has approved the restoration to Campus Risk Level 1 or "Green" beginning Feb. 21, after rigorously monitoring the gradual improvement of the public health situation on campus and throughout the UAE about the Omicron variety. Level 1 means that there is a <0.5 percent positivity rate on campus including contractors and within the community.

To maintain a Green AlHosn Pass, PCR testing is required every 14 days for fully vaccinated and boosted (if eligible) individuals.

PCR testing is required every seven days for those who are exempted from the vaccine or booster. Testing is not required for those who recently tested positive for 30 days, beginning 11 days after the initial positive test result.

Dining: Starting Feb. 21, all NYUAD community members will be able to eat lunch and dinner at the West Dining Hall (D1). There will be both indoor and outdoor seating options. Unless actively eating or drinking, one must wear a mask.

Meeting rooms: Meeting room capacity can be increased provided a safe physical distance is maintained.

Elevators: Return to the maximum capacity per elevator in the building. Riders are required to wear masks throughout trips.

Shuttle buses: Capacity has been restored to 75 percent. Masks are mandatory.

Athletics spaces:
Squash Court and Climbing Wall operations are resumed. The capacity of the Fitness Center and the Women's Only Gym will be increased as long as safe physical distance continues to be observed.

Student Activity Rooms in C2 will be reopened with all relevant public health and safety precautions in place, such as physical separation, masks, etc.

Beginning Feb. 21, in-person office hours and meetings can be conducted indoors in accordance with public health rules, which include masking and maintaining safe distance.

On March 1, in-person events and programming will resume, pending public health recommendations. All in-person events must be requested in accordance with the event request checklist. Before March 1, in-person events and programming will only be handled on a case-by-case basis. The Committee asks students to familiarize themselves with the Event Information Guide available on the Student Portal

On Feb. 21, the NYUAD Library will reopen its doors to all students, professors and staff, offering a complete variety of library services, including service desks, browseable collections, Archives and Special Collections, group study rooms and reference services.

These are the updated hours for the Library:

Sunday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For any developments throughout the semester, please visit the Library’s website or follow the Library on social media.

After spring break, full classroom occupancy is likely to resume, pending public health developments. During spring break, the registrar's office will reassign classroom spaces and notify students and instructors of any changes.