PAINE COLLEGE COVID-19 Fall 2023 Update
August 25, 2023

MASK WEARING – Fall 2023 May 11 marked the end of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration and Paine College is relaxing its requirement of wearing masks throughout the campus community. However, COVID in various strains continues to exist with the same symptoms and virus illnesses.

While masks will not be required in our campus community, please exercise extreme caution, and get tested when you have symptoms. Be mindful that what may seem to be a cold or sinus infection may also be COVID and you are encouraged to get tested to protect yourself from personal complications and the spread of the COVID virus to others. With symptoms, get tested. Although the College is relaxing the wearing of masks, faculty may request the wearing of a mask in the classroom and staff may request that you wear a mask in the office space. Adherence to the request to wear a mask is required.

Temperature check stations, masks and sanitations stations will remain throughout the campus.

GET TESTED - A COVID test is the most accurate way to determine if you are positive for the COVID virus. With symptoms, get tested at a prompt care facility, physician’s office, or authorized drug Store. With a positive test result , immediately contact and provided the written test results to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs (706) 821-8357.

COVID SYMPTOMS – The COVID virus has a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms include challenges breathing, fever and chills, cough, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, sore throat, stuffy and runny nose, upset stomach, loss of taste, loss of smell, vomiting and diarrhea. If you are sick, suspect you have COVID, or believe you may have been exposed to the COVID virus, regardless of your vaccination status, get tested and isolate. Isolate while waiting for your test results. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Isolate means you should not be in the presence of anyone. Immediately contact the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, (706) 821-8357.

EXPOSED TO SOMEONE POSITIVE - When exposed to someone who has symptoms or test positive, get tested at a prompt care facility, physician’s office or authorized drug store and notify the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs (706) 821-8357. Exposure (close contact) is being within six feet of someone who is showing symptoms of COVID for at least fifteen minutes or with an infected person who shows no symptoms but later test positive for the virus.

QUARANTINE IS REQUIRED WHEN YOU TEST POSITIVE – When you test positive for the virus, you will be required quarantine. The length of time for the quarantine will be evaluated and determined by the nurse. The date of exposure is not counted as the first day. The next day after is counted as Day 1. Day 1 is the first full day of quarantine after you tested positive or your last contact with a person who has COVID. The minimum quarantine is usually five (5) days (depending on temperature and symptoms) and could last up to 14 days.

RETURNING TO CLASS and CAMPUS ACTIVITIES - Release from quarantine is provided in writing from the Office of the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for you to return to class and resume other campus activities.

CONTACT TRACING - Contact tracing is the method to notify people that have been around someone with COVID for fifteen continuous minutes or known to have tested positive. If you are around someone that is positive, contact the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs (706) 821-8357 and get tested at a prompt care facility, physician’s office, or authorized pharmacy. If you test positive, contact the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs (706) 821-8357 and isolate. A copy of your test results must be provided to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs (706) 821-8357.

CAMPUS TESTING – Keeping the campus safe, the College will periodically offer testing and vaccinations. Check your Paine College email for Campus Testing dates, time and location and watch for posted flyers.

GET VACCINATED –You are encouraged to get vaccinated and boosted to help prevent serious illness from the COVID virus. You can contract the virus when you are vaccinated and boosted, however, the vaccination is a protection against more serious complications with the virus.

FACULTY and STAFF WHO TEST POSITIVE – Faculty should follow the established protocol. First notify the Department Chair of your absence from work and the chair will notify the Acting Vice President of Academic Affairs. If you are unable to reach the chair, contact the Acting Vice President of Academic Affairs (706) 396-7596 or the Task Force chair, (706) 396-7560.

​KEEP IN MIND COVID CONTINUES TO HAVE A PRESENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY (the CSRA) AND THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. THE CDC WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE UPDATES ON COVID AND WHEN WE RECEIVE UPDATES, SOME OF OUR GUIDELINE MAY REQUIRE REVISIONS. OUR GOAL IS A SAFE CAMPUS COMMUNITY.

Stay well. Stay safe.
Cheryl Evans Jones, Ph.D.
​President, Paine College