Princeton University Imposes Strict New COVID Test Mandate

Students returning to campus at Princeton University after Thanksgiving break will be subject to much stricter COVID-19 testing requirements.

University officials have moved the campus transmission risk from "moderate" to "high." The Princeton COVID-19 dashboard lists the number of campus cases up from six for the week ending 11/19, to 21 the week ending 11/26.

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All undergraduate students will now have to submit to COVID testing two times per week, regardless of vaccination status. Graduate students are still permitted to test only once per week, if they are fully vaccinated.

Undergraduate students will now test twice per week regardless of vaccination status. Graduate students who are fully vaccinated will continue to test once per week, and those who are not fully vaccinated must test twice per week. - Princeton University

The rules are even more strict for student-athletes. Any student participating in group practices and competitions must submit test results three times per week.

Princeton is also curtailing many of the festivals and student gatherings that are popular during the holidays, including events held off-campus. Class and Eating Club formals, WinterFest, and Skate Night at Baker Rink.

Face coverings are also required in all indoor locations, including classrooms, dining halls and other gathering places regardless of vaccination status.

Princeton is among more than a dozen colleges and universities in New Jersey that require students to be fully vaccinated to attend classes on campus, but their testing policy is among the strictest in the state.

The university is recommending all staff and students get a booster dose of COVID vaccine, but has not made it a requirement.