Further to our communication dated April 20, 2021, Clarkson University has updated the interim COVID-19 policies in accordance with CDC and New York State guidelines. Please see the summary of the updates below:
- At this time, only employees who are fully vaccinated will be permitted for University-funded travel, both international and domestic. University-Funded travel is restricted for employees who are not fully vaccinated and should not be planned or scheduled at this time. Employees are still required to seek pre-approval via the Travel Authorization (TA) form before any University-funded travel.
- We also strongly recommend delaying personal travel, both international and domestic, until the traveler is fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated employees are required to fill out the Travel Self Reporting Form prior to travel.
- Quarantine guidelines have been updated as per NYS guidelines. As per these guidelines,
- Asymptomatic individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do NOT need to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19. Fully vaccinated individuals exposed to COVID-19 who are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 must isolate themselves and should be clinically evaluated for COVID-19 and tested for COVID-19 if indicated.
- Asymptomatic individuals exposed to COVID-19 who have been recently diagnosed with laboratory confirmed COVID-19, and have since recovered, are not required to retest and quarantine provided the new exposure is within 3 months after the date of symptom onset from the initial COVID-19 infection or date of first positive diagnostic test if asymptomatic during illness.
- Individuals who have been exposed to someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, who are not fully vaccinated or have not recovered from COVID-19 in the previous 3 months, are required to quarantine for 10 days after exposure.
- Previously, “fully vaccinated” was defined as two weeks after the final dose and no more than three months after the final dose. The updated guidelines have now removed the time limit for how long an individual is considered “fully vaccinated.” The CDC has also included guidance on people who are vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines that are not currently approved in the U.S. Please be mindful this is subject to change based on ongoing guidance.
- As noted below, the University has made slight modifications to following the CDC mask guidance that has been adopted by New York State Public Health and the State’s continuing COVID-19 response orders. The CDC has advised that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks. Unvaccinated individuals, under both CDC and state guidance must wear masks in all public settings. The NYS Department of Health strongly recommends masks in indoor settings where vaccination status of individuals is unknown.
Clarkson University requires:
- All unvaccinated employees to wear a face covering any time they are in a public space within a University building (ex. hallways, stairwells, bathrooms, elevators, breaks rooms) as well as any time they cannot maintain 6 feet social distancing from another individual.
- Vaccinated employees can resume activities without wearing face coverings/masks or social/ physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
- As part of Clarkson mask etiquette, we ask that all employees who are on campus and/or conducting University business continues to carry a mask with them at all times.
- Indoor hallways and restrooms, as well as walking among tables in dining rooms, are considered public spaces and as such, masks should be worn by all people regardless of vaccination status in these spaces on campus in accordance with the NYS Department of Health recommendations.
- Even among vaccinated individuals in small group settings that meet CDC guidance, we should obtain mutual agreement among all parties within these campus interactions to confirm if we will be wearing masks around each other. We respect that some members of our community would like to take extra steps to protect themselves and others from any potential exposure.
- All larger University events will require mask wearing per current NYS guidance.
- As part of Clarkson’s Code of Conduct, all members of the Clarkson community are expected to adhere to NYS, and CDC protocols based on their own personal circumstances.
· Employees who are vaccinated will no longer be required to do random testing as per University processes.
Please refer to this link for details on the interim COVID-19 policies. If you have any questions, please contact clarksonhr@clarkson.edu.