COVID-19 Guidelines for Spring 2022 - January 5, 2022
Dear Fellow Gamecocks,
Happy New Year and welcome back to campus! As we prepare for the start of the spring semester next week, we want to update you concerning COVID-19 on campus.
The COVID Task Force has continued to monitor the situation and provide the necessary support to our campus community over the winter break. With the highly contagious Omicron variant spreading throughout our region, it is important that we continue to take necessary precautions to help protect everyone. The same health and safety measures that limit the spread of COVID-19 also limit the spread of other common illnesses such as the cold and flu. Some best practices include:
- If medically able, receive COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.
- Practice the 3 Ws: Wear your mask, Wash your hands and Watch your distance.
- Stay home if you are not feeling well until the symptoms end.
- If you have symptoms, get tested.
- If positive, follow self-reporting protocols.
The RMC/JSU Health Center continues to offer testing. Walk-in patients are welcome at the clinic on Monday-Friday, 8-11 a.m., and appointments are available 1-4 p.m. by calling 256-782-5310. Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, are available on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons by appointment at the clinic (as well as at local pharmacies in the community).
Masking guidelines on campus will continue as they were prior to the holiday break. This means the responsible faculty/staff member may require masking in a classroom/meeting space. Masks are required in the JSU/RMC Health Center, on campus sanctioned transportation and when preparing or serving food.
The CDC continues to adjust isolation and exposure guidelines based on several factors. JSU’s contact tracers continue to be available to assist members of our campus community in understanding and navigating these general standards. For links to the positive Self Reporting Form, exposure protocols and FAQs, please visit jsu.edu/coronavirus. COVID questions may also be emailed to covidquestions@jsu.edu.
As we enter the third year of the pandemic, many are experiencing "COVID fatigue" and are ready to live in a post-pandemic world. Scientists learn more every day about the virus, enabling the health care community to better prevent and treat the virus, and each of us to know how to safely live with COVID in our lives. Let’s keep our guard up a bit longer, and hopefully, life will begin returning to normal in 2022.
Stay safe,
Michael S. Barton
Director of Public Safety & COVID Task Force Leader