COVID-19 updates for January

Key Points

• The campus will continue to reduce density on campus by encouraging flexible telework when possible through January 24.

• All community members are required to take an on-campus COVID-19 test the day that they return to campus.

• Our next on-campus booster clinic is January 20.

Dear Community,

The COVID-19 Planning Coordinating Committee is actively working to understand the health and operations risks associated with the COVID-19 Omicron variant surge. We will keep the campus informed of developing plans to carry on with teaching and learning, research and creative achievement, and campus operations as safely and smoothly as possible in the spring semester. We anticipate being able to share updates on these plans no later than January 14, 2022. 

In the meantime, we want to share guidance regarding health precautions and campus operations during the next few weeks. 

Reduced Campus Density and Telework

Between now and January 24, we are encouraging departments and supervisors to be flexible and, when possible, accommodate additional telework days for staff. Staff may continue to work off site beyond the scope of existing telework agreements with their supervisor’s permission.  Some employees will be needed on-campus to provide critical, on-campus services necessary to support research, administration, and students. Supervisors should work directly with employees to determine a schedule that decreases density but also provides the core services needed by the campus.

On-Campus Testing & Return to Campus

All community members are required to take an on-campus PCR test on the day that they return to campus. Please test as soon as you arrive on campus. Details on where and how to test are available here or through this wiki. Testing on campus requires the use of a mobile application that you will need to download before you arrive on campus, so please plan ahead. After you test, you may remain on campus but please be extra diligent about mask wearing and distancing as you wait for your results. 

In addition, we are strongly recommending that, if possible, all community members take a home rapid test 3-5 days before they return to campus. 

Case Response and Campus Safety Measures

Our contact response team has resumed tracking of on-campus cases. If you test positive, please review important response measures and report your result here. Masking continues to be required in all indoor spaces, except when you are actively eating or in an office alone. We recommend high-quality KN95 masks. Free KN95 masks are available at The Commons information desk and the Library mail counter. 

Booster Clinics

With new information released by the Centers for Disease Control, we continue to strongly encourage all in our community to get a booster shot as soon as they are eligible. Due to community demand, we are hosting new COVID-19 Booster and Flu Clinics, with our next clinic on January 20. Boosters are available by appointment only. Make your appointment here. 

Thank you for your patience as we weather this surge and plan for the spring semester. If you have any questions, contact us at covid19@umbc.edu.

Provost Philip Rous

Vice President of Information Technology and CIO Jack Suess

COVID-19 Planning Coordinating Committee Co-Chairs