Dear Loyola, 

Spring is in full swing! As we prepare for the Easter holiday, many of you will soon be traveling and visiting with loved ones. Although COVID-19 case counts remain low in New Orleans, some locations across the country are experiencing spikes in cases as a result of the highly contagious BA.2 sub variant. Follow the tips below for the latest travel safety and COVID prevention strategies. You’ve done such a great job adapting to the latest guidelines, and we are so grateful, Wolf Pack. Now let’s stay on track and finish this semester strong! 

Mask up if you plan to travel. Masks are required in all transportation hubs, including at airports, on public transportation, and on trains and buses. Loyola recommends that you wear a mask while around others outside your household when you are traveling. Choose a well-fitting mask that has multiple layers of fabric with a nose wire for a leak-free fit over your mouth and nose. N95 or KN95 masks offer optimal protection.

Avoid traveling if you’re sick or need to quarantine. Do not travel if you are sick, tested positive for COVID-19 and haven’t ended isolation, had close contact with a person with COVID-19 and haven’t ended quarantine, or are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test.

Avoid travel or get tested if you’re not up-to-date on vaccines. The CDC recommends delaying travel if you are not up to date on vaccines. If you are not up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines and must travel, get tested both before and after your trip. At Loyola, we encourage you to test before you return to campus if you are not up-to-date on your vaccines and travel over the holiday.

Reminder: Up-to-date means a person has received all recommended doses in their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine, and one booster dose when eligible. 

The BA.2 sub variant, previously called “stealth omicron,” is highly contagious and currently the dominant coronavirus strain in the United States. At this time, cases remain stable in New Orleans following our omicron spike over the winter. Combined with previous infection, vaccines, and boosters, we have a substantial level of immunity protection against BA.2. However, BA.2 spreads faster than the original omicron variant and we will continue to monitor case counts and make adjustments to our public health guidelines as needed. 

Booster shots are necessary to restore protection against COVID-19 variants like BA.2. For your convenience, we are offering Moderna booster shots at Student Health Services on Thursdays by appointment only from 12:30 – 2 p.m. Register for an appointment or call 504-865-3326.

You are eligible for a booster shot if:

A second booster is recommended for certain people. The CDC has also expanded eligibility for an additional booster dose for certain individuals who may be at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19:

CDC, in collaboration with FDA and our public health partners, will continue to evaluate the need for additional booster doses for all Americans.

People who are at increased risk for severe disease from COVID-19 can now receive certain approved antiviral treatments such as Paxlovid. These treatments can be approved if you have any of the underlying conditions listed above, and have shown to be effective if taken within 5 days of symptom onset. Learn more about treatments.

COVID Connections is a round-up of important information to help keep everyone in our campus community informed and safe. It arrives in your inbox monthly. Explore our archive on the FAQ website to see previous editions.