In updated guidance released this week, the university announced only the freshman class will be allowed to fully return to campus for the fall semester. All other students will only be allowed to return if they have in-person lab or internship requirements to fulfill. 

Johnson and Wales was among the first schools in the state to reopen it’s campus after the initial shutdown forced most colleges to close this spring. In July, more than 500 students returned  to finish labs in the university’s culinary arts program. As of last week, only one student of the group had tested positive for COVID-19.

Other universities, including Rhode Island College have announced similar reopening plans.

The decision comes as nationwide cases of COVID-19 have soared, and Rhode Island is  reducing the number of people allowed at social gatherings to quell the spread of the virus.