To ACPHS Community,

As many of you are aware, last week Governor Hochul lifted the statewide indoor mask requirement for businesses, but stated that businesses, counties, and cities have the option to continue to require masks. Since the rate of community transmission continues to be high in Albany County, and most counties in New York State, we have decided to maintain the following health and safety protocols:

Everyone on campus whether vaccinated or unvaccinated are required to wear masks while indoors consistent with CDC's recommendation for areas of substantial or high transmission. If an individual is in their residence hall room, suite or apartment, or alone in their office, they do not need to wear a mask. Consistent with the CDC's recent updated mask recommendation, we are encouraging students and employees to use KN95, N95 or surgical masks if possible since these more form-fitting masks provide increased protection against the virus.

Our campus testing center will continue to test students and employees who are symptomatic or who have been exposed to COVID. We are also continuing weekly testing for vaccine exempt students and employees. Our campus testing center is located in the Holland Building (HAB B209) and will be open Monday through Thursday from 9:30am to 3:00pm. Appointments can be scheduled using: https://acphscovidtesting.timetap.com/#/

All students and employees who are eligible are required to get their COVID-19 booster and upload documentation into ShareMy.Health. You are eligible to receive your booster dose five months after the last dose of the Pfizer or Moderna series or two months after Janssen/J&J. Those who are not currently eligible, must receive their booster within 14 days of becoming eligible. If you have received a primary series of a WHO-listed vaccine not available in the United States, and it has been at least six months since your last dose, we are following CDC guidance and advise that you receive a booster dose of vaccine with only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. If you need a religious or medical exemption to our vaccine requirements, please contact Theresa Setzer at theresa.setzer@acphs.edu. 

Students and employees must continue to complete the daily health screener. Anyone experiencing symptoms is expected to stay home and contact COVIDTesting@acphs.edu to schedule an appointment. Symptoms include:

We will continue to closely watch COVID infection rates and we will adapt policies that are consistent with CDC guidance. If you have questions regarding testing, boosters, or daily health screening, please email COVIDTesting@acphs.edu. Michelette Zapata, RN, is the new COVID Testing Supervisor. Sue Karavolas, Vice President of Human Resources and John Felio, Vice President for Student Affairs are now leading our COVID Prevention and Response Committee that makes recommendations for policy changes to the Cabinet.  

Michelle Parent and Wendy Parker have transitioned back to their original roles at the College, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their service.

The health and safety of the ACPHS community continues to be our top priority. We will continue to closely monitor community transmission and will promptly inform you of any changes to our health and safety protocols. Thank you for your ongoing patience and cooperation.

 

Greg Dewey

ACPHS President