Masks
We strongly encourage the use of N-95 masks during classes held indoors. If you do not have an N-95 mask, please double-mask during classes. Masks are always required indoors except when in offices alone or in residence hall rooms alone or with roommate.
Gatherings
No gathering can be more than 50 people outdoors or 30 indoors. Exceptions to this rule MAY be approved AHEAD OF TIME for indoor gatherings if the number of people in the venue is less than 10% of occupancy of the indoor space.
HealthCheck
As in the fall term, we are using BSC HealthCheck to record individuals’ COVID-related issues. If you have symptoms, do not assume they are due to allergies, the weather, or other causes. Immediately report your symptoms, a positive test, or exposure by:
1) Clicking on MyBSC on the primary BSC webpage.
2) Clicking on BSC HealthCheck at the bottom of the dropdown list.
3) Submitting all relevant information.
Someone will follow up with you within a few hours during the workday, or the following morning if you report them in the later evening or overnight. Until you receive contact, avoid contact with all others as much as possible.
Visitors
Due to the positivity rates in the surrounding community and Alabama, we are returning to a restriction of all non-BSC guests on campus in primary student areas, including residence halls, public spaces like the Norton Campus Center, or social settings like fraternity/sorority houses. Family members and friends may attend athletic events following the other protocols we have in place but should avoid being in the primary student areas noted above. Once positivity rates beyond and on campus decrease, we will remove this restriction as soon as possible.
Testing
Weekly testing will be held at the following times in Bill Battle Coliseum:
Tuesday, Jan. 18, Noon – 3:30 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 24, Noon – 3:30 p.m.
All individuals who have not reported full vaccination or who have not recently tested positive for COVID (past 90 days) must test weekly during this time. Randomly selected individuals who have reported full vaccination to BSC will be expected to test during this time as well; they will be informed by Friday of the prior week.
Limited additional times will be available to individuals to test Tuesday through Thursday in Norton Campus Center.
Symptomatic/Exposed Testing
All individuals who report symptoms or exposure must test following our protocols. Symptomatic individuals must test as soon as possible after they are guided toward testing by a BSC staff member who follows up on their BSC HealthCheck submission. Tests are available in Health Services at our Cahaba Medical Care Clinic, or you may obtain testing off-campus. Initial rapid tests are sufficient if positive results occur, but if the first test result is negative, a PCR test will be required to confirm the negative result. The symptomatic individual will be required to avoid contact with others until the PCR results return. The contact-tracing team will support them with contact with faculty members and other essential needs during their period of removal.
Process When Positive
All positive individuals will receive guidance on isolation from the contact tracing team. They will be expected to isolate in Hanson Hall if they share a residential space with others who are not positive, on their own in an apartment or suite if they live alone or all residents are positive, or away from campus. In all instances, the contact tracing team will support them with contact with faculty members and other essential needs during their isolation period.
Isolation 5 days from initial antigen test.
After 5 days and 24 hours without fever and other symptoms improving, individual may leave isolation but must wear a mask in all circumstances around other people for another 5 days.
Process When Exposed
All exposed individuals will receive guidance from the BSC contact tracing team regarding testing.
Individuals in close contact with an infected person who are vaccinated and boosted will need to wear a mask and diligently watch for and report symptoms, but do not need to test.
Vaccinated + Boosted = no test or quarantine; wear masks around other people for 10 days
Individuals in close contact with an infected person who are vaccinated but not yet boosted will be tested around the fifth day from exposure, and/or upon symptoms, but not isolated unless they become symptomatic or test positive. If after five days, they remain asymptomatic and test negative on a rapid test, we will clear them from our monitoring list.
Vaccinated = no quarantine + test around day 5 + wear mask around other people for 10 days
Exposed individuals who are not vaccinated may need to test daily if circumstances indicate that is best. In most instances, we will NOT need to test an exposed individual daily.
Unvaccinated = 10-day quarantine+ negative antigen test + 5-day mask
If symptomatic at any time,
= antigen test, if positive, isolate
= antigen test, if negative, PCR test (if positive isolate; if negative back to quarantine protocols)
The contact tracing, quarantine, and isolation process will determine the appropriate timeline for testing based on each situation. For anyone exposed who begins to show symptoms, they will be expected to test immediately and isolate until results are returned. Generally, vaccinated individuals who are exposed but have no symptoms will be able to engage in regular activities while closely watching their symptoms.
Athletics (Note that this has changed from last week)
In-season, unvaccinated athletes will be tested three times a week. The definition of unvaccinated athlete:
No vaccination
J&J vaccination: Two months from dose + no booster
Pfizer vaccination: Five months from second dose + no booster
Moderna vaccination: Six months from second dose + no booster
This definition comes from an agreement among Southern Athletic Association presidents. Any in-season athlete who does not want to be tested three times a week should get the booster shot.
