Univerity At Buffalo - UB Now: UB Updates COVID Summer Protocols

Buffalo NY

04 June, 2021

12:43 PM

Description

Press release from the University at Buffalo - UB Now: JAY REY June 3, 2021 COVID-19 UPDATES  •  6/3/2021 UB is updating its COVID-19 protocols in preparation for more employees returning to campus over the summer. The rules for summer reflect revised guidance recently issued by SUNY, as the pandemic continues to evolve and colleges and universities across the state prepare for a more normal return to campus come fall. Effective immediately, summer protocols at UB will include: Exemption from COVID-19 testing. Students and employees who are regularly on campus will no longer need to participate in mandatory weekly testing upon verifying that they have been fully vaccinated. However, required weekly testing will continue for those who are on campus and have not been fully vaccinated or fail to verify that they have completed their vaccination series. Human Resources has provided guidance to employees on how to submit proof of vaccination. Students can submit documentation to Health Services. Indoor masking and physical distancing. Students and employees on campus during the summer must continue to wear masks and stay physically distanced while indoors, unless they are alone in an enclosed office space or in their residence hall room. Continuity of daily health screening. All employees and students regularly on campus must continue to submit a daily health screening. That can be found here. Following state guidelines for special events. For performances or special events on campus, UB will adhere to current guidelines outlined by the New York State Department of Health. Depending on the event, this may include capacity limits, mask-wearing, physical distancing and/or proof of testing or vaccination. No distancing in health science settings. Campus health science and clinical teaching laboratories may continue to operate without the six-foot distancing normally required in a classroom. Masks, however, must be worn, regardless of whether individuals have been vaccinated or not. Rules for visitors. Visitors to UB will be required to abide by its health guidelines, which include wearing a mask and filling out the Daily Health Check when coming to campus. UB will be resuming in-person, campus-based instruction for the fall 2021 semester. In preparation for the fall semester, employees will be returning to campus throughout the summer months. Additional SUNY and UB fall guidance and updates are forthcoming. Gov. Andrew Cuomo already has announced that students across all 64 SUNY campuses will be required to get vaccinated for the fall semester. That's contingent on the Food and Drug Administration approving a vaccine formally, not just for emergency use, which is the case now. The SUNY Board of Trustees would need to sign off on the mandate as well. The university also is planning for higher occupancy in its residence halls during the fall, with the understanding that the virus may force UB to reduce capacity, as well as set aside space for quarantine and isolation. This press release was produced by the University at Buffalo - UB Now. The views expressed here are the author's own.