Useful information: Holiday travel, testing, flu shots, spring break, and more

Holiday travel protocols

In response to the spike in the new coronavirus cases in the region and the nation, the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia all imposed new health and safety measures last week. These include restrictions on travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also has issued guidelines about holiday gatherings. Their guidelines are meant to supplement local and state laws, regulations, and guidelines.

We want to remind you that over the Thanksgiving holiday break, it is very important to limit physical exposure to people outside of your household. We strongly suggest community members avoid traveling to states with a high rate of COVID-19 or host out-of-state visitors from high risk states. CDC maintains a list of state websites with current information.

If you decide to travel or host out-of-state guests, please note that the following is required, prior to returning to campus:

• If you travel to a high-risk state, you must quarantine for 14 days upon return and submit a negative COVID test result administered between Days 7-14 of your quarantine period.
• If you host out-of-state visitors, you will need to quarantine for 14 days upon their departure and submit a negative COVID test result administered between Days 7-14 of your quarantine period.

On-campus COVID-19 testing for essential employees

On Monday, November 16 and Tuesday, November 17, COVID-19 testing was provided on campus for all essential employees. If you are an essential employee and were unable to make the scheduled testing days, please make an appointment at the Student Health Service (shs@gallaudet.edu) during the week. All essential employees must submit test results to shs@galladuet.edu and cc coronavirus@gallaudet.edu by November 24, 2020.

Flu shots required by November 20

Gallaudet University requires all members of the Gallaudet and Clerc Center communities who are currently working, living, or otherwise coming to campus to receive a flu shot before November 20, 2020, subject to the right to request a medical or religious exemption. Full details are in this community email message.

Spring break update

The University Faculty Senate voted on November 12 to change the dates for Gallaudet University’s spring break to April 5-9, 2020 from the prior dates of March 15-19, 2020. This change was made to accommodate health and safety concerns, and aligns with the spring break dates for several public school systems in the metropolitan Washington area. Full details are in this community email message.

Please note that Clerc Center spring break dates remain the same: March 29-April 2.

Carl Pramuk to lead implementation efforts

Carl Pramuk, Associate Dean of Student Affairs for Student Center Programs and Services, has joined the COVID-19 team. He will be responsible for the implementation of our Gallaudet Way Forward plans. We also want to recognize Dr. Rosanne Rushing and Dr. Alicia Wooten, who lead the Public Health and Safety strand, and who have been invaluable advisors since the beginning of the pandemic. They will work closely with Carl.