Officials with the University of Maine System say students and staff will be returning to campus in the fall.

It was announced Wednesday that students and staff would be returning to campuses for face-to-face instruction beginning August 31st as scheduled.

The school released new guidelines, including screening strategies to “identify and isolate infection at the start of the semester” and a commitment to science-based principles with guidance from public health authorities and the University of Maine Scientific Advisory Board.

Students will be asked to leave campus at the start of the Thanksgiving holiday and finish the final two weeks of classes and exams remotely to help “limit travel-related spread of infection.”

“Our world needs higher education now more than ever,” said Chancellor Dannel Malloy. “Because our state leaders and public health authorities have kept the coronavirus from spreading unchecked, we have an opportunity to come together for Maine and our students this fall with science-informed plans to protect student health and limit the spread of infection on campus and in our communities.”