COVID Health & Safety Guidelines

In alignment with both state and local county health guidelines, the indoor mask requirement will be lifted for most areas of campus (see exceptions below). Because masks will still be required in some contexts everyone is encouraged to always have a mask on hand and masks will also still be available in certain locations on campus.

The mask requirement remains in place for:

• Academic spaces including classrooms, library, and computer labs
• Instances in which there is either close physical contact (such as athletic training) or extended 1:1 contact in which confidentiality and therefore closed doors are required (such as counseling or other individual appointments).

Masks continue to be an important measure in preventing the spread of COVID and as such the both the California and Alameda County Departments of Public Health, as well as HNU’s Health and Safety Committee continue to strongly recommend that individuals wear mask indoors, and especially in larger gatherings, to protect themselves and others.

We also continue to expect that members of the HNU community will respect the requests of others concerning mask wearing. Honoring the needs of those in our community who may be immunocompromised or live with other individuals at high risk or who are unable to be fully vaccinated, is one way we demonstrate our commitment to inclusion and social justice.

The Health and Safety (formerly COVID) team will continue to monitor both internal and external factors and reserve the option to revert to previous mandates at any time regardless of state and county guidelines.

It is required for all students, faculty, and staff be vaccinated or obtain an exemption. Students, faculty, and staff need to submit their vaccination status through the Symplicity portal (students) or HR@hnu.edu (staff and faculty).

In accordance with guidance from the CDC and the Alameda County Department of Public Health, Holy Names University recommends that faculty and staff receive a COVID-19 booster shot.

You should conduct a daily screening of yourself to determine if you are exhibiting any symptoms related to COVID-19. If you are experiencing any symptoms you should remain in your room, if you are a campus resident, or remain off campus and take a COVID test as quickly as possible.

You are required to conduct a daily self-screening to determine if you are exhibiting any symptoms related to COVID-19. A set of self-screening questions can be found on the Alameda County Public Health Official website.

Notify the CARE Team via the online form to make us aware that you have contracted or suspect you may have COVID-19.

Unvaccinated staff, faculty, and students who have an approved exemption and are living on campus, working on campus, or participating in athletics, should regularly test themselves for COVID-19.

You will be directed to get yourself tested with your health provider for COVID-19 should you exhibit symptoms of the virus or if you may have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

It is important for you to closely monitor personal symptoms related to COVID-19 and follow campus guidelines to help our community reduce the risk of virus transmission. If you suspect you may have COVID-19 or you have come into contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19, you will be directed to immediately self-isolate, consult a health professional, and get tested.

If you do not have a health provider, there are multiple testing sites that are available for you to receive a free test if you live on campus or live in Alameda County to determine if you have contracted COVID-19. Alameda County residents, including those who do not have insurance, can find a local testing location, and schedule a test at this link: Alameda County COVID-19 testing sites. You will not be asked about immigration status, and you are not required to give insurance information to get tested at one of the free testing sites. A directory of testing sites in other Bay Area counties can be found on the following link California COVID-19 testing sites.

A common list of questions and answers regarding testing for COVID-19 can be found at the following resource from Alameda County: COVID-19 Testing Questions and Answers.

On-campus testing

The Athletics Department and Housing and Residence Life have COVID-19 Rapid tests available for symptomatic residents. They are available upon request from athletic facilities or at the residence life front desk.

For individuals that test positive for COVID-19:

Per CDC guidelines, if you test positive for COVID-19 you must isolate for a minimum of 5 days (with a negative PCR test taken on day 5 or later) or 10 days (without a test), regardless of your symptoms.

If you have COVID-19 with symptoms and were directed to care for yourself at home or at school, you may discontinue isolation when all the following conditions have been met:

1. If at least 10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms, you may be released on day 11 OR if 5 days have passed since the onset of symptoms and a PCR test taken on day 5 or later has come back negative
2. If at least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever reducing medications
3. If other symptoms are resolved or gone

Quarantine: Practice used when a person has been in close contact to a positive COVID-19 case and needs to separate from other people in order to see if they develop symptoms and become sick

Close contact: Someone who was less than 6 feet away from an infected person (laboratory- confirmed or a clinical diagnosis) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24- hour period

Students who test positive for COVID-19 or believe they have been infected will be instructed to follow the advice of a qualified medical professional and isolate.

If you have had a confirmed COVID-19 infection within the past 90 days (tested positive using a viral test):

• No quarantine is necessary unless you develop symptoms.
• If symptoms occur, consult your healthcare provider for testing recommendations.
• Monitor symptoms for 10 days.
• Wear a well fitted mask around others for 10 days.

For individuals that are exposed to COVID-19 (close-contact):

Unvaccinated or not up to date on vaccinations, incl. booster eligible but no booster:

• Quarantine for at least 5 days after last contact with a person with COVID-19
• Quarantine can end after day 5 if you remain asymptomatic and receive a negative PCR test taken on day 5 or later
• If you are unable to test or choose not to test, you must remain in quarantine for 10 days and may be released on day 11 if asymptomatic
• If you must go out in public to pick up food or use the restroom, wash or sanitize hands, wear a well fitted mask, and social distance from others
• If you have any symptoms, you should begin isolation immediately and test. If testing is not possible or you test positive, you must follow isolation guidelines.
• Monitor your symptoms for 10 days.

Boosted or vaccinated but not booster eligible:

• No quarantine needed unless symptoms occur.
• If you are symptomatic, begin isolation and test. If you cannot test, or you test positive, follow isolation guidelines.
• Wear a well fitted mask around others for 10 days, especially in indoor settings.
• Student athletes: Mask does not need to be worn during practice but must be worn in the weight room.
• Take a PCR test on day 5 or later.
• Monitor symptoms for 10 days.
• STAFF: We strongly suggest you work from home until you can test on day five or later. If this isn’t possible, please speak with your manager.

HNU Students within our Residence Halls are expected to follow and adhere to all policies as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and Residential Community Standards. In addition, to maintain the safety and well-being of all students and staff-members living within the residence halls, residents are expected to adhere to all health and safety policies in order to live on campus.

Physical Barriers:

Physical barriers, such as plexiglass, have been added in select places where it is difficult to maintain physical distancing. These may be visible in areas around front desks, for example, to help ensure proper distances between people.

Masks:

All residents and visitors are highly recommended to wear an appropriate mask when indoors with others.

Guest Policy:

At this time, only HNU community members are permitted as guests in the residence halls. HNU students who are not living on campus are also only permitted in the halls as the guest of a resident. Residents may direct requests for exceptions under unique circumstances to the Interim Director of Housing and Residence Life. The Guest Policy prohibits visitors within the residence halls who are not current HNU students. Residents may have no more than one guest per resident assigned to a room at any one time.

Resident Pledge

We can stop the spread. We can protect our first responders, our public health workers, our communities, our neighbors, our seniors, our families, ourselves. HNU encourages each member of our resident life community to take the following pledge:

• I pledge to regularly wash my hands.
• I pledge to be cautious within my student housing building.
• I pledge to isolate or quarantine myself if I have been exposed and/or feel ill.
• I pledge to help stop the spread.

Community Stabilization

All residence halls will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized prior to students’ arrival. HNU’s Facilities team regularly cleans high-touch surfaces in common areas, such as bathrooms and doorknobs in accordance with CDC guidelines.

HNU has revised its dining policies in compliance with guidelines from the Alameda County Department of Public Health.

Dining Services:

The Public Market is open to students, staff, and faculty for indoor dining. We ask that diners not move or rearrange the furniture. Meals are available both for dine-in and take-out. Compostable to-go containers will be provided for to-go meals.

Epicurean employees will all be COVID-19 ServSafe Certified and will follow their COVID-19 Safety Pledge. They will also perform the following functions every thirty minutes:

• Change cutting boards
• Sanitize stations
• Clean all counters and high traffic areas

Vending Machines:

1. Sweep floor
2. Change sanitizer buckets
3. Change gloves
4. Wash hands

Hydration Stations:

Refilling or hydration stations are in Hester, the Library, Brennan, Heafey, Tobin Gym, and the Residence Halls.

Community Response

1. Possible Exposure to COVID-19
   • If you may have been exposed to COVID-19 because of being in contact with an individual who has tested positive, please contact your Medical Provider, and notify the RA on Duty.
2. Feeling Ill
   • If you are feeling ill and unsure if it is related to COVID or common illnesses such as colds or flu, we ask that you stay within your assigned space and contact your medical provider.
3. Tested Positive
   • Residents will Isolate within assigned space, notify the Director of Residence Life, prepare to move to Isolated Quarantine location (single with bath).
   • Work with Housing and Residence Life staff regarding obtaining food, disposing of trash, and addressing necessities.
   • Work with Academic Affairs regarding classes.

Students whose financial circumstances have been affected by the pandemic may email the Financial Aid office at financialaid@hnu.edu or schedule a phone appointment with a financial aid counselor at 510-436-1327 to learn about resources that may be available.

Athletics has received approval to resume full operations, with modifications, operating within guidelines set forth by Alameda County, the Pac West Conference, and the NCAA. Protocols are subject to change, refer to HNU Athletics for the most up-to-date protocols.

Common Spaces

You are encouraged to move your gatherings to outdoor spaces whenever possible while maintaining physical distance practices to decrease the possibility of virus transmission.

Meetings

• Avoid personal contact with meeting participants (i.e., Do not shake hands, hug, etc.).
• Open windows when available to ensure proper ventilation in enclosed spaces.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds and/or use hand sanitizer before and after each meeting.
• Do not touch your face, nose, or mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
• Do not share water bottles, napkins, utensils, or have food at your meeting.
• Do not share office supplies (i.e., pens, paper, folders, etc.) and use electronic files instead of paper whenever possible.
• Frequently clean touched surfaces with household disinfectant. Leave slightly wet and allow to air dry for best disinfection.

Are there protocols to require COVID testing for anyone who has demonstrated symptoms?

All individuals will be required to conduct a self-assessment of their health every day before they come to HNU. Anyone who believes they are exhibiting symptoms will be required to get tested through a health care provider or a community testing site to confirm they do not have COVID-19 before being allowed on campus.

If someone feels sick but tests negative, what is the follow-up protocol for campus return?

You are required to stay away from campus if you feel sick or exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of your test result. Please do not return to campus until you are completely recovered from feeling ill. If you have come in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you must quarantine as stated in this Guide. If you have any doubt about your well-being, you are asked to stay home.

What is the threshold for closure at HNU?

The COVID-19 Response Team will consult with the Alameda County Department for Public Health regarding the threshold for physically closing campus if an outbreak is suspected at HNU.

Is there a different campus policy for Raskob? 

Yes, the Raskob Day School has established its own set of policies unique to their campus.

Does your revised visitor policy allow for Uber/Lyft rideshare and food delivery services?

Rideshare and delivery services are allowed to enter campus subject to screening at the front gate.

Do you report all COVID cases at HNU?

HNU provides information regarding any positive COVID-19 case that could have had impacted campus on our website here: hnu.edu/coronavirus

COVID-19 SOURCES

This HNU campus guide was sourced from the resources cited in the table below to inform policy and practices related to minimizing the transmission of COVID-19 on college campuses.