Update - August 15, 2022
COVID-19 Update
Dear campus community,
We hope you had a wonderful summer spent with friends and family, gaining new experiences, and that you are ready for a great beginning to Fall 2022! As we prepare for the upcoming semester, we remain focused on keeping our community informed and as healthy as possible while supporting our employees and our students’ progress towards academic, personal, and professional success. Here are a few things you can expect during the Fall 2022 semester related to COVID-19:
- Entry testing - Although we do not currently require any COVID-19 testing to return to campus, we do recommend individuals take a rapid antigen COVID-19 test within 24 hours before returning to campus. If you test positive for a new infection, please complete your isolation period before coming to campus.
- Mask and/or Face Covering - UE will remain a mask and/or face covering-optional community. Current CDC (Centers for Disease Control) guidance does not require universal masking, although it is recommended to wear a mask or face covering in public settings when rates are categorized as “high.” We welcome and support individuals who choose to wear a mask or face covering for extra protection for yourself and others. (Masks or face coverings are still required in healthcare settings.)
- Quarantine, Isolation, and Exposure - Under current CDC guidance released August 11, 2022, individuals are not required to quarantine after exposure to a positive case (provided you do not have symptoms). However, close contacts are required to wear a mask or face covering 5-10 days. Information on isolation and quarantine is available on the UE website. As a reminder, the University strongly recommends all students and employees get fully vaccinated and receive boosters when eligible.
- If you test positive for COVID-19 this semester - It is important that the university still tracks COVID-19 cases within our campus community. If you test positive from an at-home antigen test or a provider-administered PCR test, please report your illness using the COVID-19 Reporting Form. The University will not conduct contact tracing. If you test positive, it is the personal responsibility of each of us to inform contacts of their exposure.
Stay updated on the latest COVID-19 and other health updates from the University by monitoring your email and staying informed through the Coronavirus section of the website. We are looking forward to the incredible ways in which each of you will shape our campus community as we start the semester.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Austin, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Dr. Rachel S. Carpenter, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Co-chairs of the Coronavirus Task Force
