COVID-19 & the CU Anschutz Community

November 20, 2020

New State Restrictions Take Effect Today

Governor Jared Polis announced a revised COVID-19 state dial this week. Certain counties, including Adams County, will be at “Level Red: Severe Risk” as of 5 p.m. today. The newly defined Level Red brings additional restrictions to the county and many areas of our state.

• No personal gatherings of any size, with anyone other than members of your own household.
• No indoor events.
• No indoor dining at restaurants; curbside, takeout and delivery services are permitted.
• Outdoor restaurant dining is limited to one household per table. 
• Reductions in capacity for offices and gyms.

What It Means For CU Anschutz

• Laboratory Research – Basic science research and use of the vivarium will continue in its current form. To continue to support our safety strategies, additional COVID official oversight will be undertaken in the research buildings. 
• Clinical Research – There will be changes to some new and currently active non-therapeutic clinical research. For more information on clinical research operations, see the latest updates from Vice Chancellor of Research Tom Flaig.
• Classroom Education – No additional changes are taking place at this time. Fewer students back on campus after the Thanksgiving break will keep overall on-campus activity limited.
• Anschutz Health and Wellness Center – The fitness center will begin operating at 10% capacity in each area. Group exercise and FIT Groups will be virtual only. Reservations are required for open gym use. Center hours will be extended starting next week. More information is on the AHWC website. Study subjects and other formal research taking place will continue unchanged.
• Strauss Health Sciences Library – Student access is available, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily. The library will close for the Thanksgiving holiday at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, 11/25, and reopen at 7 a.m. on Saturday, 11/28. Students must reserve study rooms and study individually. Masks are required at all times. More information is on the library website.
• Administrative Requests – We will be strictly limiting approval of one-off requests for campus access to those deemed critical. We ask that you please address barriers to remote working, plan carefully for operational needs, and keep these requests to an absolute minimum. Requests may be sent to adminexceptions@cuanschutz.edu. 
• Food Service - Our food service operations are not impacted as our current campus option, Etai’s, is limited to grab-and-go, rather than in-person dining.

The highest level of restrictions is now designated “Level Purple: Extreme Risk.” No counties in Colorado have moved to Level Purple yet, and the decision to move to this level would occur if there are critical shortages of healthcare resources in the community.

Do your part on campus and off by wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently, keeping your distance, and staying home when you are sick. If you do experience COVID-19 symptoms or believe you may have been exposed, self-report your status and stay home.

Holiday Schedule & Modified Academic Calendars

University operations at CU Anschutz are closed Thursday and Friday, 11/26 and 11/27, for the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Holiday hours are in place at campus check-in and screening locations starting 11/25, and details are on the coronavirus website, the campus map and posted signage. You must complete the daily health questionnaire during after-hours self-check-in.

Modified academic schedules are in place in our schools, college and programs. Find details on the academic calendars webpage.

Safe Holidays: Travel, Gatherings & Testing

As we shared earlier this week, CU Anschutz strongly discourages personal travel during the holidays. With the new state restrictions, no personal gatherings of any size are allowed with people other than those in your own household.

• Consider getting tested before and after travel; schedule your COVID-19 test here.
• If you develop COVID-19 symptoms or believe you may have been exposed (6 feet or less for 15+ minutes in 24-hour period with COVID-positive individual), or are unsure if you were exposed, self-report.
• If you receive a positive test result, even while away from campus or out of state, self-report.
• If you participated in any gatherings, indoors or outdoors, consider getting tested; schedule your COVID-19 test here.
• If unsure whether to self-report, please follow this guide.
• The CU Anschutz Occupational Health and Contact Tracing team follows up with every individual who self-reports their status, to provide guidance and support. 

• Learn more about testing and schedule your COVID-19 test here. 

Be safe this holiday season and help keep #CUAnschutzTogether. 

Campus Resources & Reminders

• It’s not too late to get a flu shot! Call the Campus Health Center at 303-724-6242 to schedule an appointment or find another vaccine location.
• Mental health tools and resources are available to help you through these turbulent times.
• Opt in and add your phone to Colorado exposure notifications, to help protect yourself and stop the spread of COVID-19.
• Keep up with Colorado’s latest COVID-19 guidance.