Alert Levels

BLUE – Campus is considered stable, but mitigation strategies are in effect for those who are unvaccinated.

Vaccinated individuals will not need to follow any specific COVID guidelines when in BLUE.

Unvaccinated individuals will need to continue to abide by COVID safety standards. These include:

• If you are unvaccinated, mask-wearing is strongly recommended outdoors when social distancing is not possible
• If you are unvaccinated, mask-wearing is required in indoor public spaces
• If you are unvaccinated, surveillance testing is required on a regular basis (current format is weekly, but that is subject to change)

GREEN - Campus is considered stable, but mitigation strategies remain in effect. The community should continue to exercise caution and to follow all COVID guidelines. They are:

• Masks required in all indoor public spaces regardless of vaccination status
• Regular surveillance testing for unvaccinated students
• Regular surveillance testing for employees without a vaccine card on file
• Quarantine and isolation procedures are in place for those who are identified as a close contact, become symptomatic or test positive for COVID.

At the Green Alert Level, the WC Community should:

• Follow all of the College’s COVID-19 policies
• Self-monitor for any COVID-like symptoms
• Follow the outdoor-first approach for in-person meetings and events
• If required of you, arrive on time for surveillance testing appointments

YELLOW – Campus is on alert due to risk factors that are trending higher. The community should take note of the revised COVID policies that are in effect under this alert level, as well as those measures that are listed as strongly recommended as these represent the best defense against further escalating to ORANGE. The full YELLOW COVID-19 guidelines are:

• Masks required in all indoor public spaces regardless of vaccination status
• Regular surveillance testing for unvaccinated students
• Regular surveillance testing for employees without a vaccine card on file
• Random surveillance testing of the entire campus population, regardless of vaccination status
• Quarantine and isolation procedures are in place for those who are identified as a close contact, become symptomatic or test positive for COVID.

At the Yellow Alert Level, the WC Community should:

• Follow the above COVID guidelines
• Self-monitor for any COVID-like symptoms
• If required of you, arrive on time for surveillance testing appointment

At the YELLOW Level, we also strongly recommend that everyone:

• Shift club or organization meetings to virtual formats where possible
• Avoid large in-person gatherings
• Choose the take-out option for meals
• Wear your mask at all times, even outdoors and especially any time you are in a crowd of people where social distancing is not feasible.

ORANGE – Conditions on campus have reached a threshold that require stricter mitigation practices. The community should take note of the revised COVID policies that are in effect under this alert level. The full ORANGE COVID-19 guidelines are:

• Visitors are no longer permitted on campus
• All meetings except for classes will be held virtually. Instruction will remain in-person.
• Social gatherings are restricted to small groups only
• Dining Services will offer meals as take-out only
• Face masks required at all times, even outdoors
• Surveillance testing -- the testing pool will again increase to include a larger percentage of the WC community, in addition to unvaccinated students and employees who do not have a vaccination card on file

At the Orange Alert Level, the WC Community should:

• Follow the above COVID guidelines
• Self-monitor for any COVID-like symptoms
• Practice social distancing and other safe health behaviors
• Restrict travel outside of campus and the surrounding area
• If required of you, arrive on time for surveillance testing appointment

RED* - Campus is effectively locked down to essential activities only. Movement on campus should follow the limited movement model, which means outside of moving about the campus to get meals, pick up mail or get some exercise, students living on campus should stay in their rooms or suites.  A RED Alert is also where a potential campus shut-down would be evaluated. The full RED COVID-19 guidelines are:

• Visitors are no longer permitted on campus
• Classroom instruction will shift to a virtual format**
• All meetings will be held virtually.
• Dining Services will offer meals as take-out only
• Face masks required at all times, even outdoors
• Surveillance testing -- the testing pool will again increase to include a larger percentage of the WC community, in addition to unvaccinated students and employees who do not have a vaccination card on file
• Those on campus will abide by a limited movement model, restricted to essential activities only (picking up meals, exercising outdoors, or picking up mail or other essential items)
• No in-person group gatherings permitted

At a RED Alert Level, the WC Community should:

• • Follow the above COVID guidelines
  • Self-monitor for any COVID-like symptoms
  • Practice social distancing and other safe health behaviors
  • Restrict your movements around campus in accordance with the limited movement model
  • If required of you, arrive on time for surveillance testing appointment

  *A RED Alert may be applied only to a particular residence hall or facility in response to an outbreak. For example, there is the potential for one residence hall to go under RED Alert, while the rest of campus moves to YELLOW. Should that occur, who is directly impacted will be clearly communicated.

  **The potential to shift academic instruction to online will be considered at the RED Alert Level. If any campus-specific data support the ability to continue to offer in-person classes as part of the limited movement plan, this will be considered.