COVID-19 Policies and Employee Resources

Bard College Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plan

This plan was created in response to the New York HERO Act and posted on September 21, 2021.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Bard College Employees

Bard College is a fully vaccinated campus, requiring that all students, faculty, and staff be fully vaccinated. In accordance with the recent CDC guidance that everyone 18 years and older should receive a booster, we are updating our vaccine mandate to require that all students, faculty, and staff receive a vaccine booster. 

Faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated with a booster by February 3 or within 30 days of eligibility, whichever comes first. Individuals who received Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are eligible to receive a booster dose six months after their last dose. Those who received Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine are eligible to receive a booster dose two months after your original dose. Boosters are widely available at vaccination sites nationwide.

Employees who are fully vaccinated and boosted may submit proof of vaccination here after receiving their booster. This documentation will be kept confidential and secured separately from employee records. Please note: You will need to log in using your bard.edu email account. If you do not have a bard.edu email account, please contact hr@bard.edu for additional information on how to submit your proof of vaccination.

For those who have not yet been vaccinated or boosted, a comprehensive list of vaccination sites can be found at covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov. COVID-19 vaccines are readily available, free of charge, throughout New York State, including at pharmacies, grocery stores, and medical offices. If you have trouble locating a facility, you may reach out to your primary care doctor or contact hr@bard.edu directly for assistance.

Employees who wish to request a medical or religious exemption may submit an Exemption Request Form with supporting documentation to Kimberly Alexander, director of human resources, at kalexand@bard.edu. All submissions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Individuals will be notified by email whether their exemption request is approved or if additional information is needed as part of the interactive review process.

Please feel free to email the Office of Human Resources at hr@bard.edu with any questions or concerns.

Vaccine Exemption Request Form (PDF)

COVID-19 Holiday Tips 

Safer Ways to Celebrate Holidays
Holiday traditions are important for families and children. There are several ways to enjoy holiday traditions and protect your health. Because many generations tend to gather to celebrate holidays, the best way to minimize COVID-19 risk and keep your family and friends safer is to get vaccinated if you’re eligible.
Here are safer ways to celebrate the holidays:
Generally:

• Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination such as young children by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated.
• Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings if you are not fully vaccinated.
• Even those who are fully vaccinated should wear a mask in public indoor settings in communities with substantial to high transmission.
  • Outdoors is safer than indoors.
• Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
• If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering.
• Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

• If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s domestic travel or international travel recommendations for unvaccinated people.
• If you will be traveling in a group or family with unvaccinated people, choose safer travel options.
• Everyone, even people who are fully vaccinated, is required to wear a mask on public transportation and follow international travel recommendations.

• People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated and have received an additional dose. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
• You might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission if a member of your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.
• If you are gathering with a group of people from multiple households and potentially from different parts of the country, you could consider additional precautions (e.g., avoiding crowded indoor spaces before travel, taking a test) in advance of gathering to further reduce risk.
• Do NOT put a mask on children younger than 2 years old.

COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility

As of April 6, everyone in New York age 16 and over is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. That means the entire Bard College community is now eligible, and we encourage all students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Please use this tool on the New York State website to find a nearby vaccination site and make an individual appointment.

COVID-19- Vaccine Paid Time Off Legislation 

On  March 12, 2021, former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed a new law granting employees paid leave time to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.  For more information, please visit the link below.

 

COVID-19 Local Testing Sites

Free COVID-19 Rapid Testing Site, Kingston, NY (Opened March 1st)
The HealthAlliance rapid testing site in Kingston will be open to all residents by appointment and is located at 27 Grand Street, Kingston, NY 12401.
The testing site will operate Monday – Friday from 9 AM – 5 PM.
New Yorkers can schedule an appointment online here or by calling 914-202-4530.

Rite Aid Kingston (Drive-Thru)
351 Flatbush Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401
845-340-0664
Webpage to schedule an appointment: https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/services/covid-19-testing

HealthAlliance of Westchester Medical Center (Drive-thru or Walk-up)
27 Grand Street, Kingston, NY 12401
845-303-2730
Webpage to schedule an appointment: https://www.hahv.org/news/coronavirus-update-1404

CVS Health COVID-19 Drive Thru Testing site-By Appointment Only
1301 Ulster Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401
866-389-2727
Webpage to schedule an appointment: https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing

Emergency One Urgent Care-Kingston
40 Hurley Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401
845-338-5600
Webpage to schedule an appointment: http://eonekingston.com/covid-19-resource-page/

Albany Med EmUrgentCare-Ulster
2976 Route 9W, Saugerties, NY 12477
518-264-9000
Webpage to schedule an appointment: https://www.amc.edu/EmUrgentCare/covid-19-antibody-testing.cfm

Emergency One Urgent Care-Hyde Park
4274 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538
845-229-2602
Webpage to schedule an appointment: http://eonekingston.com/covid-19-resource-page/

Rapid Testing Locations:
Pulse-MD Urgent Care-Does Rapid Testing. 
696 Dutchess Turnpike, Arlington, NY 12603
(845-243-7100)
OR
900 NY-376, Suite H, Wappingers Falls, NY
(845-204-9260)

New York State continues to increase testing capacity for COVID-19 on a daily basis. Individuals who have questions regarding eligibility or access for testing should call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or visit the NYSDOH website https://covid19screening.health.ny.gov.

Please call the testing site or your health care provider before you go for testing as testing sites are subject to change.

• If you go to a test site run by New York State, there is never any charge for your test.
   
• If you go to a test site operated by local governments, private companies including pharmacies and medical practices or not-for-profit organizations, you are advised to check with the testing site and your insurer in advance of being tested to determine if you will or will not be responsible for any fees associated with your test.
   
• Under the Empire plans members are covered for COVID testing, both regular and rapid, however you must exhibit symptoms in order to be covered under medical benefits.
   
• The link below will provide information on free testing sites within NYS: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you

Mail-in Testing Resources

The LabCorp Pixel PCR test is covered by most insurance or federal funds if insurance isn't available. 

• The test must be requested online with the link provided. 
• The eligibility questionnaire will require that students choose a “congregate setting’ for living/working if they otherwise in a low-risk category and don't have any of the symptoms listed. 
• The test and shipping are completely covered by insurance or federal funds. 
• Timeline: upon online request, the test kit arrives in 24–48 hours and is easily tracked by FedEx. The kit has clear instructions for administration and mailing. It must be dropped at a FedEx drop box before pickup on that day. Results are obtained through their online portal 24–48 hours after drop-off.  

Employee Travel

The College has updated its travel guidelines to reflect improving public health conditions and rising vaccination rates. While we ask that all members of our community exercise caution when undertaking higher risk activities such as travel, official College travel is no longer restricted. Please take relevant CDC and U.S. State Department travel advisories into account.  

Medical and Telehealth Coverage

Medical Insurance:

Empire Coverage:
Bard College, in partnership with Empire, is waiving the copay cost for the COVID-19 test to members on the PPO High plan, PPO Low plan, and the EPO HSA. Medical serology (antibody) testing is covere. Members should contact their primary care physician or LiveHealth online to discuss their need for testing and to locate a testing site, or refer to this website.

Telehealth Coverage:
Members have access to LiveHealth Online, a national telehealth provider that provides patients with 24/7 access to a network of board-certified doctors, pediatricians, and licensed therapists that can treat many emergency conditions, including providing behavioral health services via a computer, tablet, or mobile device. Secure and private chats are available. Prescriptions can be sent by your provider to a pharmacy if needed. Copays are temporarily waived. Sign up at: livehealthonline.com.

COVID 19-Paid Family Leave

Reasonable Accommodation Requests

COVID-19 Stop the Spread of Germs

Federal, State, and Local Coronavirus Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Information for People at Higher Risk and Special Populations
• Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home
• Travel Guidance and Resources

• U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Website
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• World Health Organization

• New York State Resources
• COVID-19 Travel Advisory

• Columbia County Resources
• Dutchess County Responds 
• Greene County Resources 
• Orange County Resources
• Putnam County Resources
• Ulster County Resources