Dear ESF Community,
 
Last week, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the great news that 70% of all adults in New York state have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination and lifted the vast majority of remaining COVID-19 restrictions. As such, ESF is taking the corresponding action to reduce restrictions on campus. 

Effective immediately: 

  • Daily screenings are no longer required, regardless of vaccination status. However, please continue to monitor your daily health symptoms; if you are ill, we ask that you stay home.

  • Those who are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks, indoors or outdoors.

  • Weekly COVID testing requirements have been lifted for those who are fully vaccinated.

  • All gathering restrictions impacting ESF events and venues are lifted.

  • All capacity restrictions have been eliminated, including in ESF academic buildings, research facilities and ESF satellite properties. Please note, if you use SU’s shuttle or Centro service, that masking and social distancing are still required for all passengers under New York state requirements. 

  • Visitors/contractors/vendors coming to campus are required to show proof of vaccination to their hosts. Otherwise, they must remain masked and socially distanced and complete this form. 

  • Cleaning/disinfection requirements have been reduced to once-daily cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces such as common areas and shared workstations.

In accordance with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks and maintain 6 feet of distance when gathering in groups. The weekly testing requirement remains for the unvaccinated faculty, staff and students accessing the ESF and SU campuses this summer. Surveillance testing is conducted at Kimmel Hall on the SU campus. Testing days and hours are listed here. 

Keep in mind some members of our community will choose to continue wearing masks regardless of vaccination status. Please be respectful of their choices and comfort levels.

The lifting of COVID-19 restrictions is a major step towards returning to standard operating procedures. We will keep you updated on any further changes to public health conditions and protocols. I appreciate your continued commitment not only to the ESF community but to the greater Syracuse community as well. 

Sincerely,
Joanie Mahoney
ESF President