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COVID-19 Task Force Community Update for February 2023

February 15, 2023

All Employees and Students,

Nationally, COVID-19 infection rates have been trending lower.  As a result, President Biden has formally announced that the pandemic health emergency will expire on May 11. This is the official end to the pandemic health emergency, however, the COVID-19 Task Force will continue to reassess health and safety needs informed by the guidance from medical officials, federal, state, and local public health experts.  If need be, we are prepared and poised to reinstitute safety protocols.

In the ensuing weeks, the university will slowly be transitioning to pre-COVID-19 operations.  We are cautiously optimistic that this is the appropriate direction for the University.

The initial step will be to remove the “COVID-19 Hub,” including the “vaccination status” and “booster status” icons on the “welcome” page of the portal.  The process of uploading vaccine and booster information will transition to the Health Services department for students, and the human resource department for all employees.  New students will now be required to upload their vaccine and booster information via Medicat, while HR will require future employees to verify vaccination and booster status during the onboarding process.

REMINDER

Visitors

Invited visitors and guests are welcome to campus. As campus buildings are accessible via the Bay Path University ID only, you will need to meet visitors at the door to let them into our buildings.

Masking

Masks are optional for all students, employees and visitors. Those who choose to wear a mask are welcome to do so. Face coverings continue to be recommended, especially for those who are immunocompromised. Masks are still required when visiting the health services suite.

Vaccinations

The primary series of the COVID-19 vaccination and one booster continues to be a requirement for all students and employees who wish to have access to campus buildings.  The CDC encourages everyone to get a bivalent booster.  Since September 2022, the bivalent booster has been available at your local pharmacy free of charge.

Testing

Rapid antigen tests will continue to be available, free of charge, at the following locations:

  1. Health Services, Student Life-Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
  2. Hatch Library
    1. Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM-9:00 PM
    2. Friday and Saturday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
    3. Sunday 1:00 PM-9:00 PM
  3.  Ryan Center by calling Helen Gentile at 413-565-1059

PCR testing will remain available on a limited basis for employees and students, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM, in the Health Services department.  For more information please contact Health Services at 413.565.1544 or healthservices@baypath.edu.   

The COVID-19 Task Force will continue to provide our community with updates, and we thank you again for your commitment to keeping Bay Path University healthy and safe.

 The COVID-19 Task Force