Dear Colleagues,
Here are a few COVID-related reminders and updates as we head into the first week of August:
- Thank you to everyone who has responded to the Employee Vaccination Survey. As previously announced, all faculty and staff who are not fully vaccinated, or who have not responded to the survey with proof of vaccination, will be required to participate in weekly prevalence testing beginning the week of August 23. Testing details will be provided the week of August 9 to those faculty and staff who are required to complete weekly testing. If you have not completed the survey and need to do so, please click here. Please reach out to Human Resources or COVIDvaccination@umw.edu with any questions.
- In keeping with CDC guidance, all unvaccinated employees, students and visitors are still required to wear masks inside any university building and are encouraged to do so when outside in group settings.
- The latest guidance from CDC also raises concern about the high transmissibility rate of the Delta variant and recommends that anyone in substantial or high transmission rate regions wear masks while in public indoor spaces. Fredericksburg, Stafford County, and Spotsylvania County all fall under the “high transmissibility” category. As such, UMW is strongly recommending for now that all employees, students, and visitors regardless of vaccination status, wear masks when indoors where social distancing is not possible. We will continue to monitor this guidance and local conditions and will announce modifications as appropriate.
- Masks must be worn by all individuals, regardless of vaccination status in the Student Health Center, Talley Center for Counseling Services, the Athletic Training Room, and in any university operated/sponsored shuttle, bus, or van where there are multiple occupants.
A detailed COVID-19 Preparedness Plan will be available next week.
Thank you for continuing to do your part to keep our community safe and healthy,
Jeff McClurken
Chief of Staff
Beth Williams
Executive Director for Human Resources