RPI has enacted what they are calling a social distancing protocol, following the two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Capital Region. RPI said the protocol is being enlisted in the hope to prevent the spread of the virus locally.

RPI noted there are no current cases of COVID-19 on-campus — classes will continue as scheduled — and said the protocol steps are simply a precaution. Those steps include: 

• Canceling all public events with 50 or more attendees that include the participation of outside individuals 
• Considering all internal seminars with external speakers on a case-by-case basis, with input from an occupational physician and/or the Student Health Center
• Asking all Rensselaer community members not to attend large external events in the local area

"The health and safety of students and community members is the top priority of the Institute. Rensselaer will continue to work with, and follow the guidance of, the U.S. Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health, and the World Health Organization (WHO)," RPI said in a statement. 

This new protocol will have an unfortunate impact on the RPI men's hockey team, who will now play their ECAC quarterfinal series against Harvard to an empty Houston Field House. No fans will be allowed into the arena for any of the games played this weekend.

This could be a tough blow for fans who were looking to get a taste of the home playoff hockey games, but fans with tickets can contact the Houston Field House box office to obtain a refund. Thankfully, the games will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and on WRPI radio at 91.5 on your FM dial.