In accordance with current CDC guidance, our physical distancing policy now distinguishes between people who are fully vaccinated and those who are not. The CDC considers people “fully vaccinated” if it is at at least two weeks after receiving either a single-dose vaccine or the second dose of a 2-dose vaccine sequence.

Keeping a minimum physical space of six feet (two meters or about 2 arms’ length) between you and others is required whenever possible for individuals who are not fully vaccinated. This is one of the best tools we have to avoid exposure to the COVID-19 virus and slowing its spread.

Under current CDC guidance, physical distancing is no longer required for fully vaccinated individuals.

As a practical matter, because vaccination rates locally are low, we will continue to maintain physical distance and observe current “COVID capacities” in our indoor public spaces.

More information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is available here.

In accordance with current CDC guidance, our face covering policy now distinguishes between people who are fully vaccinated and those who are not. The CDC considers people “fully vaccinated” if it is at at least two weeks after receiving either a single-dose vaccine or the second dose of a 2-dose vaccine sequence.

Face coverings are required in all indoor spaces for individuals who are not fully vaccinated.

Face coverings are not required for individuals who:

• are fully vaccinated
• are in their private work space or  are in their own residence hall room without guests
• are eating
• are actively engaged in a physical workout, per the protocols provided by Athletics or Recreational Services
• have an accommodation provided for ADA reasons by the Accessibility Resource Center or Human Resources Office
• are outdoors

The CDC has posted guidance on how to properly wear face coverings to protect yourself and others.

• Acceptable face coverings for those who have not been fully vaccinated include disposable masks and reusable cloth masks and gaiters.  They should cover the nose and mouth and fit closely to the face. Multiple layers are more effective. Face shields have not been shown to be effective and are not an acceptable face covering.
• Disposable masks should be discarded after daily use. 
• It is recommended that cloth face coverings should be laundered on a daily basis. 
• Wearers should wash their hands before putting on and taking off their masks and should avoid touching their face while wearing a face covering for maximum benefit. 
• Lip Reading Needs: any member of the campus community needing a lip-reading accommodation for classes or job functions should contact the Accessibility Resource Center directly as soon as possible so appropriate arrangements can be made.
• Medical Exceptions: If a student who is not fully vaccinated has a medical condition requiring an exception to this policy, this should be arranged through the Accessibility Resource Center prior to returning to campus. If an employee who is not fully vaccinated has a medical condition requiring an exception to this policy, this should be arranged through Human Resources. 
• Compliance:
  • Students who are not fully vaccinated without appropriate face coverings will be sent to a central location within each classroom building to obtain a mask.
  • Students who are non-compliant will be engaged in conversation with the faculty member to address the situation.
  • If the student does not comply, UPD may be called to remove the student.
  • Non-compliant students will face disciplinary action for violations.
  • Employees who are not fully vaccinated who do not comply with this policy will be subject to discipline.

Reusable cloth masks have been distributed to all students and employees. Disposable masks are available in each building; check signs at the building entrance to see where. 

Handwashing – critical: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or touching your face. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash your hands after touching your face.

Coughing/Sneezing Hygiene Etiquette – critical: If you are in a private setting and not wearing a cloth face covering, please remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Alternatively, you can cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow. Throw any used tissues in the trash and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizers with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol.

Gloves: According to the CDC, gloves are not necessary for general use and do not replace good hand hygiene. Washing your hands often is considered the best practice for common everyday tasks. 

Cleaning/Disinfection – Team Effort: Physical Plant / Custodial staff will do their best to keep campus common areas, public spaces, and office areas clean based on CDC guidelines and protocols for disinfection. However, we all need to be vigilant to help keep our surroundings clean. Cleaning and disinfection requires the cooperation of everyone.   Of note, 

• Hand sanitizer stations will be provided in high traffic areas and near building entrances.
• Cleaning supplies will be available for students and faculty to wipe down classroom areas (e.g. desk and chair surfaces) on a self-serve basis between sessions once classes begin. 
• Departments may request additional cleaning supplies if they wish to do additional self-serve cleaning during the work day, for example to wipe down commonly used surfaces.  You can request supplies here.
• It may be noted that the latest CDC guidance indicates that the virus is not easily transmitted via surfaces.

Keeping your distance:

If you feel sick, you must stay home and away from others on campus.

Taking your temperature, monitoring symptoms:

Employees and students who will be on campus must conduct symptom self-monitoring every day before reporting to work, class or any other campus activity. Employees must be free of ANY symptoms potentially related to COVID-19 or have had evaluation and clearance by a health professional in order to be on campus.

These are all matters of personal responsibility; we are not requesting or requiring any reporting or documentation of these actions.

COVID-19 symptoms:

At this time, symptoms include one or more of the following:Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever above 100.4, chills, repeated shaking with chills, runny nose or new sinus congestion, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, fatigue, new gastrointestinal symptoms, new loss of taste or smell.

CDC Symptom Checker

Positive cases – communication

• Any member of the university community receiving a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 should immediately notify the following office, as applicable: 
  • Students: Office of the Dean of Students (Hannah Piechowski) – Students may use this online reporting tool.
  • Employees: Office of Human Resources (Sara Freemyer) – Employees may use this online reporting tool.
  • Athletes: Notify your Athletic Trainer. Read the Athletics COVID-19 Policy.

Positive cases – isolation

• Any member of the campus community testing positive for COVID-19 who is not in need of hospitalization should be isolated at their permanent address if at all possible.  
• If that is not possible, several rooms will be set aside on campus for isolation.  Priority will be for residential students who do not have other housing options. Depending on the circumstances, the University may make rooms available to other members of the campus community.

Close Contact with a Positive Case

• Those determined to be close contacts (per CDC guidance) of a confirmed COVID-19 case should quarantine for the designated time period specified by the local public health department and communicated by the contact tracer. The length of quarantine is recommended to be 14 days, but testing results may allow a reduction in the length of time. If an individual is vaccinated, they will not need to quarantine unless they have symptoms.

Compliance – Failure to comply with these protocols may result in removal from campus and potential discipline.

Testing

• Those experiencing signs or symptoms of COVID-19 should consult with a healthcare provider about whether testing is needed and if so, direction for where to obtain a test.
• Those determined to be close contacts (per CDC guidance) of a confirmed COVID-19 case should also be tested to the extent feasible in the local context. (See below regarding contact tracing.) If testing is not feasible for all close contacts, the CDC recommends 14-days of quarantine, mask-wearing, and self-monitoring.
• At the current time, and in line with CDC advice to institutions of higher education, the University does not plan to mandate COVID-19 testing or antibody testing for all employees or students in order to return to campus.
• The state of Missouri continues to increase free community testing opportunities. Those who wish to be tested should communicate with Mosaic Medical Center, the Student Health Center, or the City of St. Joseph Health Department for assistance in determining where testing may be available at the time when it is sought.

Contact Tracing

It is critically important that we identify potential COVID-19 cases on campus. Any student or employee who has been on campus and tests positive for COVID-19 must report their cases to the appropriate campus contact immediately:

• Students may report through the Online Student Reporting Tool.
• Employees may report through this link Online Employee Reporting Tool
• Student athletes should notify their Athletic Trainer. Read the Athletics COVID-19 Policy

Please note that employees and students should not report positive cases on behalf of others.

Vaccines

• Missouri Western is working with the State of Missouri on plans to distribute COVID-19 vaccines. For information about Missouri’s vaccination plan, visit covidvaccine.mo.gov/. 
• A current flu vaccine is recommended for all those living and working on campus who are able to receive it.  Flu shot clinics are provided on campus each fall.

For the purposes of Missouri Western’s physical distancing and face coverings policies, we are following the CDC’s guidance:

In general, people are considered fully vaccinated:

• 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

If you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.