A Message about Updated Mask Protocols, Testing and Allergy Season, and End-of-Semester Departure Testing
A COVID-19 Update
- Updated mask protocols on campus
- Testing and allergy season
- End-of-semester departure testing
To the Bard College Community,
In response to rising vaccination rates, the CDC this week adjusted its mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people in outdoor settings. “Fully vaccinated,” according to the New York State Department of Health, means you are two full weeks past the second dose of a two-dose vaccine series (such as Pfizer or Moderna) or two full weeks past a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson). Many members of our community have been vaccinated, but some still have not been, so it is important that we continue to take precautions. However, based on the new CDC guidance, along with the decreasing rate of COVID in the surrounding community, and the scientific community’s analysis regarding the risk of potential COVID transmission outdoors, Bard is updating its masking protocols as follows:
Masks are no longer required:
- If you are outdoors walking, sitting, or exercising by yourself in low-traffic areas where the risk of being near people is low
- At all times indoors (except for eating in Kline, Manor or DTR, or when you are by yourself in your dorm room or office)
- On all Bard shuttles
- In any outdoor settings involving group activities or where others may come within 6 feet, including walking or hanging out with friends
You should always have a mask immediately available in case you find yourself close to others while outdoors.
Vaccine availability has increased enormously in recents weeks, with everyone over age 16 now eligible for vaccination. This week, all mass-vaccination sites in New York State opened for walk-in vaccinations. No appointments are required and vaccine supplies are plentiful. We encourage everyone in the Bard College community to take this opportunity to get vaccinated.
Testing and allergy season
As we noted last week, testing is still an essential component for our COVID safety protocols. Please respond to any email you receive about surveillance testing and follow through with getting tested. If you experience any COVID-like symptoms, please get tested right away. You may think you are suffering from allergies, whose symptoms are similar to COVID. As we did during flu season this past winter, we strongly encourage anyone experiencing COVID-like symptoms, even if you may think they are due to the flu or allergies, to get a COVID test to rule out the possibility of COVID-19. There are still unvaccinated and vulnerable individuals in our community, and we still need to protect against potential spread.
End-of-semester departure testing
The College will soon announce our plans for transitioning students from bi-weekly surveillance testing to end-of-semester testing, including dates that testing will occur. Any student who needs a departure test for travel at the end of the semester should be able to get one close enough to your travel date to be valid. Please carefully make your travel and testing plan keeping in mind that it generally takes around 24 hours - but could take up to 48 hours - to receive results from PCR tests administered at Bard. We will disseminate more information about end-of-semester testing soon. In the meantime, it is important that everyone continue to participate in the College's surveillance testing program.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the health of our community.
Sincerely,
Bard College COVID-19 Response Team
[email protected]
Coleen Murphy Alexander, Vice President for Administration
Kimberly Alexander, Director, Human Resources
Jonathan Becker, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Barbara Jean Briskey, Director, Health Services
Deirdre d'Albertis, Dean of the College
Malia Du Mont, Chief of Staff, President's Office/Vice President for Strategy and Policy
Brooke Jude, Associate Professor of Biology
John Gomez, Director, Safety and Security
David Lindholm, Interim Athletic Director
Emily McLaughlin, Associate Dean of the College
Jennifer Murray, Dean of International Studies
Bethany Nohlgren, Associate VP for Student Affairs/Dean of Students
Kahan Sablo, Dean for Inclusive Excellence
Michael Sadowski, Interim Dean of Graduate Studies
David Shein, Associate VP for Academic Affairs/Dean of Studies
Éric Trudel, Chair, Faculty Senate
Dumaine Williams, Vice President for Student Affairs/Early Colleges
For more information, call 845-758-6822.