Amid rising coronavirus cases and renewed precautions, Penn State is encouraging its employees to work from home when possible through the spring semester, the university said Tuesday.

Employees who’ve worked from home this semester are directed to continue doing so as the semester transitions to remote learning on Friday, November 20. They’re expected to stay remote unless notified to return to onsite work by their supervisors.

Faculty may continue using classrooms for remote instruction for the remainder of the semester, Penn State said. It also acknowledged working from home isn’t possible for every employee, and those who need to work on campus will be able to while following “appropriate health and safety measures.”

The university added deans and department heads will help determine specific instruction methods for courses and programs moving forward.

Penn State cited climbing Pennsylvania coronavirus case numbers as a major factor behind its decision to continue encouraging working from home.

“While positive COVID-19 cases remain stable at Penn State campuses, climbing numbers of cases within the commonwealth and on a national and global scale have further solidified the need to continue remote work as a primary mitigation measure,” Penn State said in its release.

On Tuesday, Pennsylvania set a new record daily increase of coronavirus cases with 5,900, bringing the statewide total to 275,513. More than 2,700 coronavirus-positive Pennsylvanians were hospitalized as well.

At Penn State, meanwhile, things currently aren’t as drastic. The university added 145 student coronavirus cases Tuesday, but just 273 cases remain active at University Park. Since testing began on August 7, 4,473 students and 29 employees have tested positive.

Employees are encouraged to reach out to their supervisors with questions about working from home and read up on Penn State’s implemented safety protocols.