Friday, April 22, 2022

Based on a recent federal court ruling and the downward trends in COVID-19 cases on campus and within our community, the UNCW health and leadership team has lifted the mandatory face covering requirements for campus transportation.

Effective immediately, face coverings will be optional for multi-passenger vehicles such as WAVE buses, shuttles, vans and UNCW vehicles.

Face coverings will remain optional in most indoor locations, including classrooms. Masks are still required for campus health care facilities – the Student Health Center, the Counseling Center, all athletic training facilities, the General Psychology & Assessment Clinic, and locations where Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was required before the pandemic began (some laboratories and research areas, for example). Please contact Environmental Health and Safety at ehs@uncw.edu with questions.

In indoor settings, unvaccinated individuals are still encouraged to wear masks to protect themselves and others. Some members of our community may continue wearing face coverings. Please respect their decision; they could have many reasons for making that choice, from personal health concerns to the health and safety of small children, elderly or immunocompromised individuals in their lives.

Vaccines and Boosters

Free vaccines and boosters are available for students, faculty, staff and the community. The next vaccination clinic is scheduled for Friday, April 29 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. in the Student Health Center in DePaolo Hall. No appointment is needed.

The Student Health Center will also offer walk-in times for vaccines and boosters from 1-4:30 p.m. Monday –Thursday, April 25-28 and Monday – Friday, May 2-6.

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson vaccines and boosters will be available. After receiving the vaccine, you will need to remain in place for 15 minutes. Vaccines, including boosters, are available while supplies last. The UNCW vaccine clinic will only serve those 17 and older. 

The CDC has updated guidance for booster shot eligibility. Individuals age 50 and older may receive a second booster of Pfizer or Moderna at least four months after receiving a booster dose of any approved COVID vaccine. Immunocompromised individuals are also eligible for a second booster dose four months after their first booster; see the guidance for details.

Vaccinations and boosters are also available at many locations in the community and across the state. See NCDHHS information for more details. Campus members who receive a vaccine or booster off campus are asked to send a copy of their vaccination card to coronavirus@uncw.edu.

For additional vaccine information and resources, please visit the Best for the Nest website or email coronavirus@uncw.edu. 
 
Surveillance Testing

Voluntary surveillance testing remains available for faculty, staff and students Monday through Thursday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. in the Student Health Center.

Symptomatic Guidance

If you are exhibiting COVID-like systems, please do not attend in-person classes, participate in on-campus events or work on site until you receive medical guidance.

Students exhibiting COVID-like symptoms or who have been in close contact with individuals who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 should call the Student Health Center at 910.962.3280 to make an appointment or contact their medical providers for assistance. Students who test positive at off-campus facilities should notify the university via coronavirus@uncw.edu.

Employees exhibiting COVID-like symptoms or those who have been in close contact with individuals who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 should contact their health care provider, notify their supervisor and then notify the Student Health Center at coronavirus@uncw.edu.

Quarantine and isolation information can be viewed on this CDC website.

The past two years brought unprecedented challenges, yet our Seahawk community adapted and rose to meet those challenges while continuing to support each other. Let’s finish the semester strong and safe.