U.S. Naval Academy announced Friday that midshipmen will return to Annapolis for the fall semester for a combination of in-person and virtual learning. || Coronavirus updates | Maryland's latest numbers | Where to get tested ||Officials said the decision includes limiting the school’s dormitory berthing to about 90% capacity, with approximately 4,100 of the 4,600 midshipmen residing in Bancroft Hall, in an effort to maintain adequate quarantine and isolation space.Several alternatives are being explored for appropriate accommodations for the remaining roughly 500 midshipmen, but the goal is for all midshipmen to reside in the Annapolis area this fall, USNA officials said. “While not optimal, a significant portion of academic learning may be achieved in an online forum. I am a firm believer, however, that leadership development requires hands-on learning, and training future leaders is the primary mission of this institution,” said Superintendent Vice Adm. Sean Buck. “Having the Brigade of Midshipmen back in one central location is critical to our mission accomplishment.”The return of midshipmen, which began in mid-July, will continue to be staggered through early-September, utilizing the same coronavirus test construct used throughout the summer. Upon arrival, midshipmen will be tested for the coronavirus, then conduct a 14-day restriction of movement period, followed by a second coronavirus test, officials said.Additional details of the USNA's reform plan for Fall 2020:The Naval Academy will continue to maintain increased cleaning protocols across the yard with emphasis in Bancroft Hall, academic and physical mission buildings. In order to maintain appropriate social distancing during meals, the Brigade will be fed in waves (instead of seated all together during most meals, as is typical for the service academy).Faculty, staff and coaches will conduct daily self-monitoring for influenza-like illness or coronavirus-like illness and, if symptomatic, refrain from reporting to work and seek medical treatment, as required.Flexible personnel policies are being implemented to adjust workspace occupancy levels to support physical distancing requirements as well as address ongoing impacts such as high-risk employees, childcare, etc. Work spaces are being re-configured to ensure a minimum distancing of 6 feet between individuals, and virtual meetings will continue to be maximized.Academic instruction will be conducted in a hybrid format, partly in-person and partly online, at approximately half capacity. (For example, no more than 10 midshipmen in a classroom that would normally have 20.) Masks will be worn by all midshipmen and a minimum of 6 feet will be maintained between each student in the classroom. Faculty will be masked whenever within 10 feet of students.Midshipmen who will begin the fall semester remotely --- a majority of whom are third class Midshipmen (sophomores) -- will have textbooks mailed directly to where they are currently residing.Additionally, random coronavirus testing of the Naval Academy general population is planned to be implemented beginning Aug. 24.