Bergen Community College To Require COVID Vaccine, Negative Test

PARAMUS, NJ — Students hoping to attend classes at Bergen Community College in the new year will need to be vaccinated, or complete weekly COVID-19 tests, the college announced.

Starting on Jan. 4, students who choose to remain unvaccinated will have to upload an image of their official, dated test within 48 hours of the deadline. The college hasn't offered guidance about booster shots, but "strongly discourages students from declining to receive the vaccine."

The college is also recommending that students opt into virtual classes, or classes that are broadcast online.

This mandate doesn't specifically apply to employees, who were required to be vaccinated as of Oct. 18, 2021.

The new protocol is slightly different for student athletes and theater performers, who aren't explicitly required to get vaccinated, but will have to conduct twice-weekly COVID-19 testing "on their own time and at their own expense."

There are also updates to the protocol at events, which now require proof of vaccination for entry at events and gatherings of more than 50 non-college employees in the same room.

For the full plan, click here.