COVID-19 Protocols Updated-June 2022

Note: More recent COVID-19-related communication may supersede information in this announcement.

June 10, 2022

Rutgers Community Members:

Since January 2020, the university has continuously monitored COVID-19 and has adapted its operations to provide a safe workplace as we fulfill our mission of education, research, and service and provide patient care. Rutgers’ initial nationally and locally recognized emergency response was enormously successful and held as the gold standard by many of our peers.

The virus is moving from pandemic to endemic, and we are moving into a steady state where we coexist with the virus while taking appropriate steps to protect the health and safety of our community.

The rules, regulations, and policies that helped us address the pandemic have now been updated. Many of our previous protocols have expired while others have been modified to reflect current conditions.

Measures that are currently in place are outlined below. These measures supersede the information that was contained in the Guide to Returning to Rutgers and Navigating Our Classrooms and Student Spaces documents—both of which are no longer operative.

Please note that guidance for the fall semester will be issued later this summer.

Face Coverings

Face coverings are required in all indoor teaching spaces, libraries, and clinical settings. Compliance is mandatory.

Requirements for Contractors, Volunteers, Guest Lecturers, and Other Affiliates

Rutgers has developed a new university policy that addresses vaccination requirements for volunteers, contractors, guest lecturers, and others. These changes are effective immediately. Read the Frequently Asked Questions associated with the policy

Events

All indoor events require attendees to show proof of vaccination or a COVID-19 negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to the event, and attendees must comply with published COVID-19 protocols. No restrictions are placed on outdoor events. Information can be found at https://ipo.rutgers.edu/events.

Vaccines and Boosters

All students and employees are required to be fully vaccinated, obtain a booster when eligible, and upload records to the university vaccine portal. Information can be found at https://coronavirus.rutgers.edu/covid-19-vaccine/.

Testing

Employees who are “Covered Individuals” (defined by University Policy 100.3.1) and who have been granted a medical or religious exemption from vaccination must be tested for COVID-19 twice per week. Employees who are not “Covered Individuals” and who have been granted a medical or religious exemption must be tested one a week. Employees who test through a non-Rutgers provider must upload results to https://rtr.ipo.rutgers.edu/questionnaire/.  Instructions can be found at https://rtr.ipo.rutgers.edu/questionnaire/.

All students who have been granted medical or religious exemptions must undergo weekly testing; in addition, clinical students must undergo testing twice per week. Students may obtain testing through Rutgers. Students who test through a non-Rutgers provider must upload results to https://rtr.ipo.rutgers.edu/questionnaire/.

Students and employees with valid health or religious exemptions must continue to wear a face covering.

Quarantining and Isolation

The Centers for Disease Control offers an interactive Quarantine and Isolation Calculator that provides valuable information and guidance for individuals with COVID-19 and for those who have had close contact with an infected person. The CDC tool provides guidance on face coverings, testing, and isolation. All employees and students with COVID-19 or who have had close contact with a person with COVID-19 should follow the recommendations provided by the Quarantine and Isolation Calculator.

Employees who test positive for COVID-19 (via PCR or antigen test), regardless of whether they have symptoms, should follow the advice provided from the CDC calculator, inform their campus Occupational Health office of positive test results if they are working on campus and have close contacts at work, and follow up with their personal physician/urgent care to obtain return-to-work clearance if they are not significantly improved by day five.

Employees who are able to work remotely and feel well enough may do so, with supervisor approval, while in isolation. Employees who are unable to work remotely must use sick time or paid time off.

Students who test positive for COVID-19 (via PCR or antigen test), regardless of whether they have symptoms, should follow the advice provided from the CDC calculator, inform their campus Student Health office of positive test results if they live in campus housing, and follow up with their personal physician/urgent care. Students living on campus in university housing are urged to return home for isolation whenever possible.

On-Campus Protocols and Safety Tips

As our COVID-19 protocols continue to evolve, I remind you that using common sense and doing your part in our shared responsibilities continues to be essential. This includes staying home while sick, whether for COVID-19 or not..

Please stay safe,

Antonio M. Calcado
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer