COVID-19 Resources

 WELLNESS RESOURCES POLICIES & GUIDANCE

Updated July 15, 2022

Vaccines, including booster shots, masks, social distancing, hygiene vigilance, and improvements to facilities remain the best ways to minimize COVID infections. We continue to encourage everyone to be vigilant to protect your coworkers and community. We will continue to assess current conditions and update safety requirements as needed.

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GET VACCINATED

- All eligible students, faculty, and staff must be vaccinated against COVID.
- Submit proof of vaccination to hr@umces.edu.
- The CDC recommends that all individuals 18 years and older receive a vaccine booster. 
 
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MONITOR YOUR HEALTH DAILY

- Individuals will be asked to self-screen for COVID symptoms and to refrain from coming to campus if symptoms are present. 
- If you are feeling ill or an increased temperature, DO NOT come on the campus.
- If you test positive for COVID, DO NOT come on the campus or in the field.
- If you have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID, monitor your health, and get tested if you develop any symptoms. 
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STAY SAFE

- Masks are optional. We request everyone carry a mask in case one is requested by a colleague while in an enclosed space.
- Wash your hands.
- Monitor yourself for symptoms.

Protocols to Protect the Health and Safety of Employees

Vaccinations
All eligible students, faculty, and staff must be vaccinated against COVID. We continue to strongly advise boosters for all students, faculty and staff. Exemptions to the vaccination requirement are for religious or medical reasons only. For more information, contact Lisa Ross at lross@umces.edu.

UMCES accepts proof of vaccination with vaccines that have been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as vaccines that have been authorized by national regulatory agencies in other countries. UMCES will not accept vaccines that are given as part of clinical trials or that have been authorized by regulatory agencies in other countries but have been evaluated and rejected by WHO.
 

Monitor Your Health
Monitor your own health carefully on a daily basis and refrain from coming to campus if symptoms are present. If you test positive for COVID, follow CDC guidelines and isolate for five days, followed by five days wearing a tight-fitting mask around others. It is not necessary to report illness to UMCES unless you need help with contact tracing. For additional guidelines, click HERE.

Mask Wearing
We request everyone carry a mask and use when requested by a colleague or working in close contact in an enclosed space. Please be respectful of these requests from colleagues as many of our community have interactions with vulnerable individuals outside of work. If you recently had COVID, follow CDC guidelines regarding masking.
 

On-Campus Meetings & Guest Housing
In-person meetings, conferences, and events can be planned and scheduled. We encourage using the largest reasonably sized space to ensure social distancing, and depending upon circumstances, masks and vaccination may be required. Vaccination and booster shots are required for residents. New visiting scholars and collaborators are allowed on site but must provide proof of vaccination.

Travel
For domestic work travel, no special permission of the Unit Director is necessary beyond filing a Travel Advance Request (TAR).  International work travel requires approval of the Unit Director and should follow CDC, U.S. State Department, and State of Maryland regulations. Upon return, the Unit Director may request a negative COVID test and/or apply other restrictions on access to common-use areas and facilities, on a case-by-case basis depending upon the location of the travel. 

Graduate Program
The default mode of instruction for classes during the Fall semester will be via Zoom. Video classrooms will be available at each site as an option for faculty and students who wish or need to use them. When using a classroom, please maintain at least 3 feet of social distancing, and please bring a mask in case anyone present requests masking.  For all other matters, follow the protocols listed above. For questions or concerns, contact the UMCES Vice President for Education’s office at education@umces.edu. 

COVID Safety Improvements
Improvements to air handling, work space configurations and preparedness have been made by UMCES' facilities. For details, see UMCES COVID Safety Improvements