May 21, 2021: Important COVID Update

May 21, 2021

Thank you to our students, faculty, and staff for your ongoing commitment to keep our community's health and safety a priority. We are completing this academic year with very minimal transmission of coronavirus on campus and we are grateful for your efforts. As we approach the summer months, it is important we continue to be safe. The following guidelines will be in place for any campus activities.

Masks and Outdoor Activities

As of today, May 21, 2021, the University has updated its guidance for mask use when outdoors on campus. In compliance with state and local guidance, masks can be removed outdoors if 6-foot distancing is maintained. Masks are still required indoors and at any time when healthy distancing cannot be maintained.

Effective May 29, 2021, and in compliance with the Baker-Polito Administration, fully vaccinated individuals will no longer be required to wear face coverings or social distance while indoors or outdoors. Non-vaccinated individuals shall continue to wear face masks and practice social distancing.

Testing & Daily Symptom Tracking

Effective June 1, 2021, the COVID-19 testing site in Carr Hall will suspend operations until further notice. This decision was informed by looking at the ever-increasing vaccination rates, combined with more opportunities to be outside, significantly reduced student and employee density rates and the implementation of summer hours. It is expected that some form of surveillance testing will resume by late summer in accordance with guidelines published by the MA Higher Education Testing Group. Stay tuned for future updates on this topic.

Daily symptom tracking shall continue for all on campus employees until further notice.

Building Access

All buildings will continue to be secured 24/7. Access will only be available to those who have been issued a Bay Path ID/Access Control Card. All personnel and students are still required to submit their daily symptom tracking in order to maintain card/ID activation. Covid testing is no longer necessary to maintain card/ID activation as of June 1, 2021.

Guests

The University will gradually begin to allow more guests on campus commencing June 1, 2021. Mask and social distancing rules apply to all guests unless they have been fully vaccinated.

• Guests will be allowed to attend University-sponsored functions (advising days, campus tours, etc.)
• Vendors or suppliers invited by an authorized staff or faculty member to support or participate in educational or operational activities is approved.
• In compliance with guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the University will continue to comply with all cleaning and hygiene protocols.
• Contact John Stankiewicz at jstankiewicz@baypath.edu or 565-1224 for any questions about the latest COVID-19 related health and safety protocols.

Thank you for your continued cooperation.

Sincerely,
The Covid Command Committee