UT will return to 100% occupancy in classrooms and labs for the fall semester with the help of vaccinations and continued testing, according to an email from internal communications to the UT community Friday morning.

Cindy Posey, the director of internal communications for the University, said in the email that all classrooms and teaching labs will operate at 100% occupancy starting August 16, 2021. She said assigned seating charts and attendance will be kept for one month to facilitate contact tracing efforts, and labs will provide sanitizer and keep records of participants.

Through June 30, up to 50% of the workforce will be permitted to work in person. It will increase to 75% from July 1 to August 15, and 100% on August 16, the email said. Research labs conducting level 1 research will have a 70 to 85% occupancy limit through June 30. Research labs conducting level 0 research can have 100% capacity starting July 1.

Starting June 11, all outdoor events may immediately return to 100% occupancy, according to the email. Indoor events will remain at no more than 50% occupancy through June 30. Occupancy for indoor events will increase to no more than 75% from July 1 through August 15, and 100% from August 16 and beyond.

The University will continue providing COVID-19 testing for students and employees, Posey said. They will offer two types of tests: PCR Saliva Sample and a new Rapid Antigen Nasal Swab which would have a turnaround time of 15 to 30 minutes. Posey said the new nasal test will allow for quicker identification of COVID-19.

The campus is gradually removing signage, floor stickers, taped-off seating and other visuals that were in place for social distancing in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for vaccinated individuals.

The University will also be launching a newsletter to provide all faculty and staff information about summer and fall 2021 plans.