Loyola University Maryland

Coronavirus Updates

Employee FAQ

Loyola’s leadership continues to monitor pandemic circumstances in consultation with medical and other experts in conjunction with needs of the University. Guidelines are updated and communicated on the HR website as conditions and policies change.

Masking

Do I need to wear a mask on campus?

Masks are optional, except when:

  • in the Student Health Center, The Counseling Center, and Athletic Training Rooms
  • an employee is within their 10-day window of being COVID positive
  • an employee is in their 10-day window of being a close contact/COVID exposure

Vaccines and Testing

Is the University still requiring the COVID-19 vaccination and COVID-19 booster?

Yes. The University requires that all employees (including fully remote) receive the COVID-19 vaccination series through the first COVID-19 booster. The only exception is if the employee a medical or religious waiver approved through human resources.

Can I find out which of my students and colleagues aren’t vaccinated and/or received the booster?

No, this is protected information per federal regulations.

Will I have to participate in surveillance testing?

No. Surveillance testing has been suspended. Depending on changes to public health information regarding COVID-19, the University reserves the right to revisit surveillance testing.

If I have Symptoms or Test Positive for COVID-19

What should I do if I develop COVID-19 symptoms?

Employees who develop symptoms, should stay home, take a COVID-19 test and contact their primary care physician. They should also contact their supervisor, similar to how they call in with any other illness. If the employee is approved to work remotely by their supervisor, and they are well enough to do so, they may work remotely if required to quarantine or isolate.

If I test positive for COVID-19 how/where should I report it?

Report your positive COVID-19 case to the University through the Employee COVID Reporting Form (also accessible through InsideLoyola). The University is required to report cases to the Baltimore City Health Department.

Immediately after you report your positive case, stay home and follow the instructions that will be emailed to you.

Note: The Employee Self-Reporting Form is not for reporting symptoms, only for reporting positive cases.

If I have symptoms of COVID-19, but tested negative – what should I do?

Contact your primary care physician for guidance. The answer to this question depends on your specific situation. For example, the symptoms you are experiencing, the date of symptom onset, and the date of your COVID-19 test could directly impact the response. Employees with a fever (>100.4 degrees F) should not report to campus. When calling out from work, follow regular department call out procedures. The human resources office is not qualified to provide medical advice to employees. Employees with symptoms should follow their primary care physician’s guidance.

What should I do if I’m identified as a close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19?

Regardless of your vaccination status, if you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are not exhibiting any symptoms:

  • You do not need to quarantine
  • Day 0 is the day of your last exposure to someone with COVID-19
  • Wear a mask during the next 10 days in all spaces except while eating and sleeping; and monitor for symptoms
  • Get tested on Day 6 even if you don’t develop symptoms
    • If you test positive, report it on the Loyola’s Employee COVID Reporting Form (also accessible through InsideLoyola), stay home, and follow instructions on the return email after reporting your case
    • If you test negative, continue to wear a mask through day 10 of exposure

Note that you can still develop symptoms up to 10 days after being exposed.

How does the CDC define a close contact?

Close contact is defined as someone who was within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 48 hours prior to illness onset or from 48 hours before being tested for COVID-19 if asymptomatic, regardless of whether the contact was wearing a mask.

Is the University still doing contact tracing?

No. Loyola requires that all employees who test positive for COVID-19 notify their Loyola close contacts promptly. Notifying close contacts in a timely manner helps reduce the spread of COVID-19 on campus.

What do I need to do before returning to campus?

Adhere to the following return to work procedures (regardless of your vaccination status) after testing positive for COVID-19:

If you were symptomatic:

  1. Stay home and isolate for at least 5 full days. (If you must be around others in your home, always wear a well-fitting mask.)
  2. After 5 days, wait to end your isolation until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have improved.
  3. Wear a well-fitting mask around other people and do not travel for at least 10 full days and until 24 hours after your fever ends.

If you had no symptoms:

  1. Stay home and isolate for at least 5 full days. (If you must be around others in your home, always wear a well-fitting mask.)
  2. If you continue to have no symptoms, you can end isolation after at least 5 days.
  3. Continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public (days 6-10) until day 10.
  4. If you develop symptoms after testing positive, your 5-day isolation period should start over.

Remote Work/Taking Leave

What is the status of the COVID-19 leave bank?

The COVID-19 leave bank has been extended through June 30, 2023. Please note that additional time will not be added, but employee’s balances will carry over. If your COVID-19 leave bank has been exhausted, you should use sick, personal, and/or vacation time as appropriate or go unpaid if you are out of leave. Employees should work with their supervisors to determine what work responsibilities (if any) can be completed remotely, when possible, rather than using leave.

Following COVID-19 University Expectations

What happens if I fail to follow University COVID-19 procedures?

Failure to adhere to University COVID-19 expectations may result in disciplinary action. It is important that you follow the expectations for your own health and for the health of the Loyola community.

Support

I’m having a tough time during this time. Where can I turn for help?

Employees may contact the University’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 1-800-765-0770, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Information can also be found at www.EAPHelplink.com. Please use the company code "LOYOLA".

What if I have other questions related to COVID-19 procedures?

Contact your HR Partner at 410 617-2354 for general questions

Is there a University policy/procedure for Monkeypox?

Loyola is monitoring the news related to cases of monkeypox in the United States. We are also working with the Baltimore City Health Department. You can learn more about monkeypox on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. At this point, if a student develops a case, they should report it to Student Health Services. If an employee develops a case, they should report it to their HR Partner. We will notify the community if there is more information to share.

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