Due to the growing spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is moving forward with new safety protocols for the spring 2022 semester.
Announced by Chancellor Ronnie Green in a Jan. 5 email to campus, the university’s updated protocols include:
• The temporary use of facial coverings when indoors on campus;
• required re-entry testing for all students, faculty and staff;
• a random mitigation testing program;
• changes to isolation policies for those who test positive;
• plans for an on-campus vaccination/booster clinic; and
• a request for students, faculty and staff to add booster information to the university’s voluntary vaccine registry.
Required re-entry testing
At the start of the spring semester, the university is requiring one round of re-entry testing for all students, faculty and staff who plan to be on campus. The testing — which must be completed through the university’s on-campus, saliva-based testing program — will be staggered, starting the week of Jan. 9-13 for faculty, staff and student workers. All other students are asked to complete the testing during the first week of the semester, Jan. 14-21.
Appointments for the on-campus testing can be made through the Safer Community app or online testing portal. To accommodate the testing, expanded hours will be available Jan. 14-21.
Additional information regarding on-campus testing is available on the university’s COVID-19 website.
Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 with a PCR test in the last 90 days can claim a testing exemption.
Also, students traveling back to Lincoln are being asked to test prior to returning to campus. Huskers who test positive are asked to delay their return as required by the Centers for Disease Control.
Working with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, the university will offer an on-campus vaccination/booster clinics on Jan. 26. The vaccine will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Nebraska Union Ballroom, and 3 to 5 p.m. in the East Nebraska Union’s Prairie Suite. Registration is available. Drop-in appointments are welcome.
Random mitigation testing
Starting the week of Jan. 24, the university will launch random mitigation testing among all students, faculty and staff (regardless of vaccination status). Those selected for the required testing will be notified via email the week prior. Details will also be available in the Safer Community app.
In the spring semester, the university will use the Safer Community app for scheduling of COVID-19 testing and for Huskers to receive testing results. It will not be used for access to campus buildings or events.
The university continues to offer free isolation housing to all students.
Voluntary vaccine registry
Students, faculty and staff who have received the COVID-19 vaccine/booster are asked to upload their status to the university’s Voluntary Vaccine Registry. The information is used to evaluate the risk the virus may pose in the campus community and helps shape COVID-19 safety policies and protocols.
More details at https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/university-updates-covid-19-protocols-for-spring-2022.
Isolation policy updates
Positive test? Follow these isolation guidelines.
A recent update from the Centers for Disease Control has adjusted isolation guidance for all individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. This guidance should be followed by all Huskers — students, faculty and staff — during the spring semester.
If you test positive:
• Stay home, mask and monitor for at least five full days — with that count starting on the first full day AFTER a positive test or when symptoms started.
• If you start out asymptomatic and symptoms begin within the five full-day isolation period, restart the count. The first full day AFTER symptoms start is your new Day 1.
• By Day 6, if you've had no fever for 24 hours and your symptoms are gone or getting better, then you can leave your house and return to regular activities (fully masked).
• By Day 6, if you have a fever, continue to stay home until the fever is gone and symptoms improve.
• Regardless of fever status, continue to wear a mask when around others for at least five more days (that would be 10 total days after the positive test or symptoms started)
• On Day 10, if you have no fever or symptoms, it will be the last day for masking around others.
• If fever or symptoms continue on Day 10, continue to mask until fever is gone.
Additional isolation guidance
• Give space to people who live with you.
• Do not host visitors.
• Stay in a separate part of the home if possible and use a different restroom if you can.
• Wear a mask over your mouth and nose for 10 days — especially if you are living with others.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds each time.
• Clean all “high touch” surfaces — Wipe down and sanitize all shared spaces often.
• Watch for symptoms of COVID-19.
For more information on the university’s ongoing response to the global pandemic, click here.
More details at: https://go.unl.edu/w2dg