Congratulations, LOYNO Class of 2021! 

You did it. We are so excited to celebrate your amazing accomplishments this weekend. As we wrap up the semester and send you off for the summer, this will be our last weekly COVID Connections email for now. We’ll still send you important public health updates over the summer as we have new information to share with you. 

🌞 If you haven’t yet, we hope you’ll consider getting vaccinated over the summer. The CDC has shared new recommendations for fully vaccinated people with more activities that are safer to partake in once you’re vaccinated. HOWL for a return to normalcy! So far, more than 115 million American adults have gotten fully vaccinated, so you’ll be in good company.  

📆 Plan ahead over the summer to get fully vaccinated before you return. Remember that it takes 21 – 28 days to get both shots (depending on which vaccine you receive), plus another two weeks for your body to build immunity before you’re considered fully vaccinated. We recommend getting your first shot no later than July 2. Visit our website for help making your appointment. 

😷 Don’t forget! Masks are still required by the City of New Orleans and on Loyola’s campus when you’re around anyone outside of your household, except when you are engaged in outdoor personal exercise, athletic competition, or when you are actively eating or drinking. It’s the safest way to protect our community while we work toward herd immunity.

As we shared last week, rapid COVID-19 testing for travel is available to students through Student Health Services only if a negative test result is required by your airline or destination location. Call SHS at 504.865.3326 to make your appointment, available Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. 

Some destinations with notable requirements include: 

If you are unvaccinated and would like to get a COVID-19 test as an extra precaution before traveling, please use one of the many free community testing sites available in the city.

Classes over Zoom sounds weird, stressful, and maybe even downright boring. But that’s not always the case. With a variety of courses – from hyflex and in-person to asynchronous and synchronous online learning – Loyola students had many ways to learn and engage this semester. Watch our series finale and learn how our students, faculty, and staff worked together to make this semester a success.

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 every Tuesday, with special editions on other days if needed. Explore our archive on the FAQ website to see previous editions.