Omicron concerns prompt new COVID-19 measures at Northeastern, Tufts

Two Boston-area universities are taking new COVID-19 precautions due to concerns about the omicron variant.

Officials at Tufts and Northeastern universities say the adjustments come out of an abundance of caution.

Students at Tufts will finish their final exams remotely this semester. The school's calendar does not officially conclude until Thursday, but officials are encouraging students to leave campus as quickly as possible in order to reduce density.

The university is also instituting a new vaccine booster requirement.

Officials at Northeastern are also updating their COVID-19 policies after seeing an increase in infections among students, some of which have been the omicron variant.

As of Sunday, the school will stop allowing spectators to attend athletic events. Northeastern is also recommending all nonessential gatherings be held outside or postponed.

The city of Boston confirmed three residents tested positive for the omicron variant earlier this week.