UC Berkeley announced plans to start the spring 2022 semester with two weeks of fully remote instruction before returning to in-person instruction Jan. 31.

The decision was made after discussions with the campus’s Public Health Committee, students and faculty, according to an email from Chancellor Carol Christ. Due to the rapid spread of the omicron variant, campus expects many students, faculty and staff to be unable to return to campus.

The email noted that some courses, including lab sections, studio and clinical courses and graduate seminars, may still be taught in person during the two-week period. However, instructors must provide alternate arrangements for isolating students who cannot attend.

Campus will remain open for students, staff and faculty, with normal operations continuing despite potential disruptions from people unable to come to campus. The email also notes that all classes will be delivered as listed on the schedule of classes starting Jan. 31.

“We believe strongly in the importance of in-person instruction and in providing an in-person experience for our students,” the email reads. “We will use the two-week period of remote instruction to plan for how best to meet the operational needs of our campus.”

Additionally, plans could still change as pandemic conditions evolve.