WASHINGTON (TND) — Many colleges and universities are shifting to virtual classes for the spring semester, as omicron cases climb.

But one college in Boston is enforcing a new, strict policy to curb the spread.

Emerson College just issued a "stay in room directive" for returning students next month. It runs until Jan. 18.

That means only leaving their room for their job, a medical appointment, or meals.

Students and staff on-campus are also required to get a booster shot when they return from winter break.

Syracuse, Notre Dame, Georgetown, George Washington and American University are also among some of the colleges and universities announcing they will require a COVID-19 booster shot for returning students and staff.

On Friday, George Washington University in Washington D.C. also announced its spring semester would start remote with in-person operations delayed until Jan. 18.

Several other schools announced they were going remote at the beginning of the month, citing spikes in COVID cases among students.

Cornell University shut down after more than 700 students tested positive. New York University tweeted about a "considerable acceleration in the rate of NYU community cases,” and moved their final exams online.