Summer 2023 COVID-19 Update
With the end of the federal emergency declaration regarding COVID-19 and very low COVID-19 rates on campus and in the local community, the University is scaling back our current COVID-19 protocols. The changes described below will go into effect on May 8, and we will evaluate these changes over the course of the summer. Going forward, we will treat COVID-19 as we do other communicable illnesses that impact our campus community.
Campus Operations
The University has successfully operated in the Green Stage of our physical distancing framework since March 2022. We will no longer use this framework, which was specific to COVID-19 response.
Testing
Self-Test Kits
The University has provided self-test kits at no cost to members of our campus community for the past two years and will continue to do so until our existing supply is depleted. COVID-19 testing for students will also be available at the Student Health Center on the same basis as other laboratory testing.
Positive COVID-19 Tests
Effective May 8, students, staff, and faculty are no longer required to report positive tests to the University, and the University will no longer track or report COVID-19 case data.
Our community should continue to monitor their health and stay home if sick. As with any other illness that requires them to miss class or work, students should notify their professors, and employees should notify their supervisors if they are ill and unable to attend class or come to work.
Isolation Protocols
Students, staff, and faculty who test positive for COVID-19 are expected to follow current public health guidance, which may include isolating at home and not coming to class or work. Information regarding isolation is available on the websites for the Virginia Department of Health and the CDC.
Students who test positive for COVID-19 may need to isolate in their residence hall room or off-campus residence, at their home, or another off-campus location. Students will be expected to reach agreements with their roommates regarding isolating in their rooms. Students with COVID-19 will be permitted to go to retail dining locations for grab-and-go meals only if masked.
The University will, however, maintain limited isolation space for serious cases of COVID-19 and other illnesses that require isolation.
Employees should work with their supervisors to take sick leave or work remotely should they test positive for COVID-19 and need to isolate. COVID-19 leave balances will remain available for employees to use through June 30, 2023, at which time COVID-19 leave will end.
Contact Tracing
Effective May 8, the University will no longer conduct contact tracing. Campus community members who test positive will be expected to notify their close contacts. Information about what to do if you are exposed to COVID-19 is available on the CDC website.
Masking
Masking is not required, though anyone is welcome to wear a mask. The University will continue to provide free masks until May 8 or existing supplies are depleted. Masks are available at the URPD Communication Center, currently located in the parking lot of the University Forest Apartments. Masks may be ordered by University departments in the same manner as they order other supplies.
Vaccines
The University will no longer require COVID-19 vaccines but encourages members of our campus community to get vaccinated consistent with public health guidance. Members of the community are no longer required to report their vaccination status to the University. The University intends to offer COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccine clinics to students, faculty, and staff periodically.