Spring Break Health and Safety Expectations

Key Points

• Spring break is March 14-21.

• Residence halls will remain open during break.

• Travel by any community member is strongly discouraged.

• All community members approved to be on campus must continue to symptom track.

Dear UMBC Community,

As we approach Spring Break, March 14 ﹘ 21, we want to remind our community of the essential health and safety precautions we will need to incorporate into our spring break plans.  While UMBC has continued to maintain a positivity rate that is substantially lower than surrounding communities, minimizing your exposure and risk over the break will be an essential part of our ability to continue our plans for the remainder of the semester.

Faculty, staff, and students who are approved to be on campus have already received detailed instructions for the break. Current residential students are strongly encouraged to remain on campus during the break and those that stay on campus must continue to test. All other community members approved to be on campus should pause their regular testing schedule, unless they come to campus for work or research during that week. Please do not visit campus during the break unless it is required. All community members approved to be on campus must continue daily online symptom tracking 7 days a week throughout the entire break in order to remain in compliance.

In addition to on-campus safety measures, please keep in mind that travel restrictions remain in place in Maryland and we strongly discourage any travel, particularly traveling outside of the state. We also ask that you continue to follow state restrictions and not participate in large gatherings and limit your exposure in public places and other high risk situations. Please continue to practice physical distancing, mask wearing, and frequent hand washing. 

This has been a challenging year and many people are experiencing fatigue and frustration at the continued isolation and physical distancing required of us during this pandemic. We know that this has been a sacrifice and we appreciate all that you have done and continue to do to keep yourselves, your families, and our community safe. We hope that you find a way to relax and recharge over break and we look forward to connecting with you after the break. 

Provost Philip Rous

Vice President for Administration and Finance Lynne Schaefer

COVID-19 Planning Coordinating Committee Co-Chairs