Campus Protocols Changing Next Week As COVID-19 Conditions Shift Starting Monday, August 9
August 6, 2021
COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Colorado, and this increase is reflected in growing cases among our campus community. We are also seeing continued spread of the highly transmissible delta variant throughout our state and beyond.
In light of these factors, and on the heels of new CDC recommendations,
CU Anschutz is making changes to help ensure the health and safety of our community.
We have updated our mask policy as detailed below, and will be implementing mandatory COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated students and employees.
A reminder that all CU Anschutz students, employees and badged affiliates must be fully vaccinated, or have an approved medical or religious exemption on file, no later than September 1. Details on vaccine verification are available here.
Effective Monday, August 9, the following mask protocols are in place:
Masks are required for everyone in indoor campus spaces.
- All students, faculty, staff and visitors - including those fully vaccinated - are required to wear a mask in indoor campus spaces.
- Masks are required universally at all times in clinical environments and in indoor public spaces - including large lecture halls and classrooms, conference rooms, hallways, restrooms and common areas.
- Lecturers may remove their masks for clarity and ADA purposes, provided the first two rows of the lecture hall or classroom are vacant, and all participants are wearing masks.
- Masks are required in these spaces regardless of posted COVID capacity.
- Masks are required universally at all times in clinical environments and in indoor public spaces - including large lecture halls and classrooms, conference rooms, hallways, restrooms and common areas.
- If you are vaccinated:
- You may remove your mask indoors in enclosed offices or confined work units - where traffic can be controlled or masking can be adjusted in real time - when able to keep 10+ feet from others.
- Masks are optional outdoors.
- If you are unvaccinated:
- You must continue to wear a mask at all times on campus. The only exception is when outdoors and 10+ feet from others. See below for additional requirements.
Campus events, classes and gatherings must follow the mask guidelines below.
- Indoor campus events & gatherings:
- All attendees of indoor campus events, classes, meetings and other gatherings must wear masks, regardless of attendee vaccination status, group size or posted COVID capacity.
- Outdoor campus events & gatherings:
- If you are vaccinated:
- You may choose to wear a mask if desired.
- If you are unvaccinated:
- You must wear a mask unless able to keep 10+ feet from others.
- If you are vaccinated:
- Off-campus events & gatherings:
- All attendees must follow protocols in place at the event venue.
- Invited speakers, participants and guests must follow the same mask protocols as our students and employees.
Breaks and meals should be taken outdoors, weather permitting. We have increased seating and break areas outdoors for your safety. When taking breaks or meals indoors, observe COVID spacing and breakroom protocols, and ensure 10+
feet between yourself and others.
We know masks are effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19, as are continued personal and area hygiene. Do your part to protect yourself and your colleagues.
Vaccines are required by September 1.
- Deadline:
- The COVID-19 vaccine requirement deadline is September 1.
- Vaccine verification:
- Employees may follow the 5-step vaccine verification process to fulfill the requirement.
- Students are required to submit verifications or exemptions directly to their schools or programs.
- Unvaccinated?
- You must continue to complete the health questionnaire every day that you are on campus, and take part in the mandatory COVID-19 testing program detailed below.
- You must also continue physical distancing and wearing a mask at all times, except when outdoors and 10+ feet from others.
- By September 1, you must have an approved medical or religious exemption on file.
Get vaccinated if you haven’t already and complete your vaccine verification as soon as possible to help speed our progress.
Mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing is coming for unvaccinated students and employees.
- Weekly COVID-19 testing will soon be in place for unvaccinated students and employees.
- This includes those who have filed a medical or religious exemption.
- Testing will be available at no cost to you through our partner - COVIDCheck Colorado - at numerous area locations.
- More information on the mandatory testing program is coming soon.
Feeling sick? Stay home and self-report, even if you are vaccinated.
- Self-reporting is a vital tool for safeguarding the health of our community.
- Regardless of your vaccination status: self-report if you feel sick, test positive or may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
- Stay home and wait for guidance from the CU Anschutz Contact Tracing Team, who will provide 1:1 guidance. They will determine whether quarantine, testing or isolation are required, and/or clear you for return to campus.
- Your department or unit will work with you, should you need to quarantine or isolate.
Return to work timelines are flexible.
- Work units may make their own decisions about employee work arrangements that align with campus guidelines while best serving their work unit and function.
- Please contact your unit head to determine scheduling that works for you and your department.
- Unit heads are asked to have alternative work schedules and remote work arrangements documented and in place for all members of your team by Labor Day.
Thank you for your flexibility as we once again adapt to changing circumstances. Our campus has done a tremendous job throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and we do not want to jeopardize the progress we have made. We will continue to monitor the changing circumstances and public health guidance, and share updates as needed.
With your help, we will keep #CUAnschutzTogether and moving forward.