Everyone on campus is required to wear a face mask unless they are in a private space, eating or drinking, or engaging in other approved activities where wearing a mask is not practical. 

Any student who becomes symptomatic will be tested and will be encouraged to return to their permanent home residence, if possible, for a period of isolation. If the student is unable to return to their permanent residence, they will be required to isolate in the designated on-campus isolation dorm. If the final test is negative, the student will be downgraded to quarantine measures for the remaining recommended 14- day period and will be allowed to return to their local residence.  These students will continue to self -report any symptoms to Health Services.

If the test is positive, the student will be required to remain in isolation . If the student is isolating on campus in the designated dorm, they will be provided necessary services from the COVID Care Coordinators. Students in isolation with clinically suspicious symptoms of COVID-19 who test negative may require additional confirmatory testing prior to being allowed to move out of isolation housing.

Everyone who comes on campus (including visitors) will be required to demonstrate proof that they have completed the symptom checklist. Using the emocha Health app, students, faculty, and staff must attest that they do not have symptoms associated with COVID-19. Everyone seeking admission to the Johnson Fitness Center and the Casey Swim Center—including off-campus students—must show on the emocha Health app that they have been symptom-free for three consecutive days before admittance to the athletic facilities. Those who are symptomatic will receive instructions about distancing, as well as guidance on next steps for care and testing. Integrity and honesty each day will be critical to keeping each other healthy and safe, as will not trying to “power through” a day on campus if you are experiencing any of the symptoms.

Everyone on campus is expected to maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet. They are encouraged to gather only in groups of fewer than 10 people (while still maintaining a 6-foot distance or more) and avoid gathering in small, enclosed spaces.

They are also expected to practice good hygiene, including regular handwashing and use of hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer stations have been set up around campus.

The Facilities department has prepared all campus spaces through HVAC overhauls; cleaning protocols; hand sanitizers and disinfecting spray or wipes; signage, and furniture layout. Plexiglass and other barriers have been placed in locations where adequate physical distancing isn’t possible, including transaction counters, dining serving areas, and administrative/reception areas where necessary.

Students who are permitted to live on campus are asked to avoid travel, especially out-of-state travel. If travel is necessary, limit the number of people with whom you come into contact, be mindful of any outbreaks or heightened risk in the locations through which you travel, and continue to track your temperature and other symptoms before, during, and after travel. Additionally, self-isolation may be recommended upon return.

Members of the campus community will also ensure they take all precautions to mitigate risk in the Chestertown community while off campus, which includes wearing a mask, social distancing, and complying with all other local regulations.

Until further notice, students living on campus are not permitted to have guests visit or stay overnight with them in campus residence halls. Guests in this context include anyone who does not reside on the specific hall or in the suite of the host.

Please note that at least through the Fall 2020 semester, almost all meetings, activities, and events (formal or informal) will be held virtually.

Health Services will be open on campus with modified appointment times and procedures to allow for additional cleaning and safety measures. All students entering the Health Center will be required to wear a mask and have their temperature screened.

In order to protect the safety of our campus, there will be no walk-ins allowed. Students must call 410-778-7261 from 8:30-12:00 or 1:00-4:30 to schedule an appointment and to complete a COVID phone screening questionnaire. Upon arrival, students will need to enter the glass lobby and call to be admitted. After hours, students should contact the COVID Care Coordinator on duty. Students will be provided contact information for these coordinators at a later date.

We will be offering well appointments, prescription refills, and allergy injections during morning hours. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner appointments will also be available.

Sick visit appointments will be held during late morning and afternoon hours. We will not be able to permit anyone to accompany students during their appointment as we cannot have anyone waiting in our lobby. The exception would be for a minor student to be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Scheduled telemedicine appointments may be utilized for low risk, non-COVID related concerns such as nutritional counseling, support to help manage chronic conditions, and follow-up visits from the ER.

Students who believe they have contracted COVID-19 should immediately self-isolate in their room and call Health Services during normal office hours (or the COVID Care Coordinator on duty after hours) for further instructions. Students will be advised about how and where to get tested and next steps. 

The College has set aside residential space to use for students who are required to isolate due to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID. COVID Care Coordinators will be assigned to assist students with temporary relocation, ensuring meal deliveries, assisting students with advocating to academics due to illness, obtaining necessary supplies, providing daily check-ins, and coordinating care with the Health Center and Counseling Services.

Students who have symptoms but who have not yet received their COVID-19 test results may be required to go home or isolate on campus.  If you test positive, students who live outside of Maryland will not be able return home.

Students who test positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms will be required to isolate on campus until ALL of the following criteria have been met:

1. They must be fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications;

2. Have improvement of all respiratory symptoms;

3. It must have been at least 10 days since the symptoms first appeared;

This is a change in protocol, as the CDC no longer requires two negative COVID tests, repeated at least 24 hours apart.

The Kent County Department of Health has mandated that students who are positive for COVID-19 may not travel across state lines.

Students who test positive will be required to isolate or remain in isolation until ALL of the following criteria have been met:

1. It has been at least 10 days from your testing date.

2. They have remained asymptomatic with documented twice-daily temperatures less than 100.0 F (students in this category will be required to socially distance themselves and avoid contact with anyone known to have high risk conditions.)

Quarantine Requirements for Contacts of a COVID-Positive Person

Students who have had close contact (defined as closer than 6 feet for ≥15 minutes) with a COVID-19 positive person with or without symptoms will be required to:

• Quarantine in their designated quarantine location until 14 days after last exposure and maintain social distance (at least 6 feet) from others at all times. Final date will be approved by the COVID Care Coordinators and Health Services in accordance with local health authorities’ guidelines.

• Self-monitor for symptoms and check temperature twice a day.

• Avoid contact with people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19

• Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop

 

Counseling appointments are available to all students, including those in isolation or quarantine. Counseling appointments will be conducted via telemedicine sessions.

Students who have never seen a counselor on campus before can email health_servicesFREEwashcoll or call 410-778-7261. Students who already have an established counselor on campus can email their counselor directly to schedule appointments. There will be no walk-in counseling appointments available.

 Students experiencing a mental health emergency who would like to speak with a counselor can call Counseling Services during weekday hours at 410-778-7261.  After hours and on the weekends, Public Safety will assist students with locating an available counselor.

Students are asked to sign an agreement stating that they understand the importance of the safety measures instituted by the College and their intention to follow those guidelines for the safety of others and themselves. The agreement includes compliance with any requests for contact tracing or other efforts to gather information to ensure the safety of our campus and community members.

Those not adhering to the required College guidelines and public health practices are reminded that their actions could endanger other community members. While taking disciplinary action against those who do not comply is not our highest priority during these times, they still may be subject to the student conduct process or employee disciplinary action.