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| August 10, 2020 |
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| Dear University of Maryland faculty and staff, |
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| The University System of Maryland requires all students, faculty and staff to take a PCR based COVID-19 test no earlier than 14 days prior to returning to campus or a UMD satellite facility. The University Health Center staff want to help inform you and assist you to meet the testing requirements, and we have included guidance for visitors, affiliates and contractors. |
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| Faculty and Staff Working On Campus or at UMD Satellite Facilities: |
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| All faculty, staff, graduate assistants, teaching assistants, and student workers currently working on campus or at satellite facilities OR scheduled to work on campus or at satellite facilities must provide confirmation of a negative COVID-19 viral test result from a test taken within 14 days prior to their return to work. |
- Faculty and staff scheduled to return to work on campus must provide a negative result from a PCR based COVID-19 viral test administered within 14 days prior to the employee's return or later. (Viral tests identify whether an individual currently has an infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.) Click here to find information about testing sites in your area.
- A limited number of many essential employees have been working since March 13, 2020, when classes moved online and most staff began working remotely. Some faculty and staff returned to campus in June and July as the campus gradually reopened. Faculty and staff currently working on campus or at satellite facilities are permitted to continue working while awaiting their test results, provided they complete and meet the conditions of the Daily Symptom Monitoring requirement.
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| Faculty and staff who participated in the University voluntary testing events on June 8 and June 9 and July 14 and July 15 do need to get tested again. |
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| For those who wish to be tested on campus, the university will be holding testing during the weeks of August 17, 24 and 31. You can sign-up for testing. It is strongly recommended that faculty and staff sign-up during the week of August 17th. |
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| Persons who have a Prior Positive COVID-19 Test: |
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| Anyone who had a positive test for COVID-19 in the past three months does not need to be tested. These individuals should contact healthweb@umd.edu with this information. You may be asked to provide documentation. |
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| Faculty and Staff Working Remotely: |
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| UMD recognizes that employees working remotely may need to visit campus occasionally for very brief periods of time. This includes activities such as collecting mail, picking up or dropping off supplies or documents from an office, and other short-duration activities that can be completed without significant interaction with others (i.e., less than 15 minutes). While testing is not required for employees exclusively working remotely, employees are expected to complete the Daily Symptom Monitoring requirement and comply with the 4Maryland Community Standards while on campus. Note - If a faculty or staff member's work situation changes and work on campus or at satellite facilities is required, the employee must get tested for COVID-19 and submit confirmation of a negative test result that was taken within 14 calendar days prior to their return. |
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| Affiliates with ID Card Privileges: |
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| Affiliates should receive information from the campus liaison sponsoring their position. Affiliates with ID privileges are expected to comply with all steps as listed below: |
- Complete the Terps Protecting Terps Training and Community Responsibility Pledge
- Conduct Daily Symptom Monitoring using the employee portal at return.umd.edu
- Provide confirmation of negative COVID-19 viral test results taken within 14 calendar days of being notified by campus liaison of this requirement
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| Vendors, Visitors, Affiliates without ID Card Privileges and Contractors |
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| (and others who spend significant amounts of time on campus, including private companies and those with facilities-use agreements): USM guidance only mandates testing for students and employees, but it requires "all visitors" to meet health-and-safety requirements related to face coverings, physical distancing, compliance with local guidance on events and gatherings, hand hygiene, and daily symptom monitoring as stipulated by individual institutions. These groups will be required to adhere to the University's current health-and-safety requirements, which may become more stringent and may include testing based on the amount of time these groups are on campus and the likelihood of close contact with UMD community members. Contractors and Vendors must abide by UMD Contractor Requirements for Conducting Business During COVID-19 (available at purchase.umd.edu). |
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| Health and Safety Requirements for All Individuals on Campus: |
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| If your test result is positive, do not report to work. Notify your supervisor. You should contact your healthcare provider who will provide care guidance. Additionally, you will be contacted by a health department contact tracer. You may return to work after release from isolation with a note from your healthcare provider or the health department. |
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| All people on campus must abide by the 4Maryland Community Standards published on the return.umd.edu website and on signage on campus, including in all campus buildings. Specifically, all parties should abide by the following: |
- Do not come to campus if:
- You are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms
- You are caring for someone with COVID-19 or possible COVID-19 infection
- You are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test because you had symptoms or were exposed
- You are sick in any way, even with mild illness
- Wear a Face Covering: Wear a face covering at all times indoors and outdoors when in
the presence of others. Face coverings should completely cover the nose and mouth.
- Practice Physical Distancing: Practice Physical Distancing: Stay at least 6 feet apart from others.
- Practice Good Hand Hygiene: Practice Good Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
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| Reporting protocol for negative test results will be provided in a future communication. Please stay safe and send any questions through the 4Maryland feedback form. |
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| In health, |
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Sacared Bodison, MD
Interim Director, University Health Center |
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