PART 2: REOPENING PLANS

Distancing and Masks/Face Coverings (Updated 03/2022)

Physical Distancing (Updated 01/2022)

Physical distancing means keeping space of at least 6 feet (about 2 arms lengths) between people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Because students are expected to be vaccinated in the Spring 2022 semester (except for those granted medical or religious exemptions), physical distancing will not be a required safety measure for classroom and educational settings. People who are not fully vaccinated should continue to practice physical distancing.

Per NYS guidelines, in situations or settings of more than 5,000 participants with guests of unknown, or mixed vaccination status, the state’s COVID-19 restrictions remain in effect. In other campus events with less than 5,000 participants but still with a significant number of guests of unknown or mixed vaccination status, the college will decide whether to require social distancing, or other protocols, for vaccinated individuals.

Masks (Updated 03/2022)

Updated 03/2022: Given the lower levels of COVID-19 in NYC, the CDC no longer recommends and NYS no longer has a universal indoor mask mandate. CUNY has therefore lifted its temporary mask mandate. However, anyone who chooses to continue wearing a mask in any campus setting is welcome to do so. Masks will continue to be available on campus. Faculty, staff, and students who are still not vaccinated, or those who have been or will be granted a medical exemption or religious exception, are urged to continue to wear a mask. Mask requirements associated with isolation and quarantine remain in effect.

Updated 01/2022: Due to the current rate of the coronavirus transmission, Hostos will continue to enforce New York State’s universal indoor mask mandate. This mandate is subject to modification based on changing vaccination statistics and coronavirus transmission rates. For the time being, everyone, regardless of vaccination status, must:

• Wear a face mask inside all CUNY campuses and office buildings. This includes while taking classes, working in a non-enclosed space such as a library or other open seating, regardless of physical distance from others.
• Wear a mask outdoors on campus when unable to maintain physical distance from others (for example while attending an Hostos gathering or sporting event.)

The only exceptions to wearing a mask inside are:

• If a fully vaccinated person is alone in an enclosed space such as an office or conference room.
• Briefly while eating or drinking, provided social distancing is maintained.

These exceptions do not apply to anyone who is not yet fully vaccinated. Those individuals must wear masks indoors and outdoors at all times while on campus, including in enclosed spaces, except when eating (in which case they must maintain strict social distancing from other individuals).

• Acceptable face coverings for COVID-19 prevention include but are not limited to cloth-based face coverings (e.g. homemade sewn, quick cut, bandana), surgical masks, N95 respirators, and face shields that cover both the mouth and nose. People at increased risk of exposure or of developing severe COVID-19 should consider wearing a higher-grade mask.
• Cloth, disposable, or other homemade face coverings are not acceptable for workplace activities that typically require a higher degree of personal protective equipment (PPE) due to the nature of the work. For those activities, N95 respirators or other PPE used under existing industry standards must continue to be used, as is defined in accordance with OSHA guidelines.
• The College will have an adequate supply of face coverings, masks and other required PPE on hand should an employee need a replacement.
• The NYC Department of Health has issued updated guidance on face coverings which recommend that people over the age of two years old wear snug fitting masks with two or three layers of material to better prevent unfiltered air from passing through; or wear two masks, with a cloth face covering over a disposable. The guidance also suggests higher grade masks, like KN95s, for people at greater risk.

Updated 01/2022:Appropriate face masks will be required for all individuals while inside Hostos Community College buildings and outside if physical distancing cannot be maintained. The only exceptions are: If a fully vaccinated person is alone in an enclosed space such as an office or conference room. Briefly while eating or drinking, provided social distancing is maintained. These exceptions do not apply to anyone who is not yet fully vaccinated. Those individuals MUST wear masks indoors and outdoors at all times while on campus, including in enclosed spaces, except when eating (in which case they MUST maintain strict social distancing from other individuals).

• This plan calls for mandatory face coverings to be worn by all building occupants at all times whenever current adequate physical distancing (“social distancing”) cannot be maintained between people.
  • A minimum required physical distance will be maintained among individuals while on campus, inclusive of faculty, staff, and students, to the extent possible and when seated in a classroom or meeting. This is mandatory unless safety or the core activity (e.g., moving equipment, using an elevator, performing a transaction) requires a shorter distance than the current minimum physical distance. (See Attachment A: Physical Distancing for current distance guidelines.)
  • Specifically, students, faculty, staff, and visitors are required to wear an acceptable face covering as follows:
    • In indoor common areas and in situations where adequate physical distancing between people may be difficult to maintain. This includes while inside a room (shared offices, classrooms, bathrooms); when entering/exiting rooms; riding in elevators; when otherwise traveling around the campus (e.g., lobbies, corridors, and stairwells); and in large, congregate settings outdoors.
    • When faculty, staff, and students are not working in individual offices (e.g., in classrooms; when working in some cubicles or on the open floor with no adequate physical barriers).
    • When employees are interacting with clients or coworkers where there is no physical barrier and adequate physical distancing cannot be maintained.
  • Face covering requirements may continue unless otherwise determined by CUNY and in consultation with CDC and NYSDOH recommendations.
    • The College continues to require acceptable face coverings indoors for everyone on campus, regardless of vaccination status. This reflects updated CDC recommendations which state that acceptable face coverings may still be required by laws, regulations, or other guidance, even for people who are fully vaccinated.
    • The College and CUNY reemphasize that an acceptable face covering must be worn by anyone who is unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, even if requirements change for fully vaccinated people. (An individual is considered “fully vaccinated” 2 or more weeks after their final vaccine dose).
• Acceptable face coverings (as established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH)) are required for all individuals who are over the age of two (2) and able to medically tolerate such coverings. Acceptable face coverings for COVID-19 prevention include but are not limited to cloth-based face coverings (e.g., homemade sewn, quick cut, bandana), surgical masks, and N95 respirators.
• See Section II. A. Protective Equipment for more information on face coverings/masks and other PPE.

Limit Occupancy and Congestion

The College’s Campus Facilities staff, for the purposes of this plan, have evaluated the options to maintain safe physical distances on campus.

• Campus Facilities will review floor plans for occupancies and square footage for all instructional, circulation and support spaces and change each room’s occupancy per current physical distancing requirements, starting with priority spaces. The lower level of occupancy numbers as determined by the two preferred methods (square footage per person and floor plan layouts) will be used (see Attachment A: Physical Distancing Plan).
  • A combination of factors will be considered in determining occupancy including normal staffing levels, square footage, typical use of the space (e.g., classroom versus meeting room), as well as additional health and safety considerations.
    • The College may allow not more than one individual at a time in small spaces (e.g., supply rooms, faculty offices, study rooms) unless all individuals in such space at the same time are wearing acceptable face coverings or are members of the same residence. However, even with face coverings in use, occupancy levels in small spaces will remain below 50% of maximum capacity as outlined by current NYS guidance.
  • Specific plans for implementation will be reviewed at each phase and when updated guidelines are released.
    • During Phase 1, Hostos used a factor of 113 sq. ft. per person to determine maximum occupancies in facilities and to allow individuals to be spaced at least 6 feet apart in all directions.
    • Beginning with Phase 2, Hostos will use 30 sq. ft. per person as a guide to increase occupancy to 50% while still maintaining 6 feet separation between people while seated at desks.
    • See Attachment A: Physical Distancing Plan for considerations in preparing for future reduced physical distancing requirements.
• Updated 01/23: CUNY will no longer require a proof of vaccine or recent negative test for visitors.
• Updated 09/21: Every visitor to a CUNY campus, whether accessing indoor or outdoor spaces, must provide proof to CUNY that they (i) are fully vaccinated or (ii) have had a negative COVID-19 molecular (PCR) test performed by an accredited lab no more than 7 days prior to the visit.
  • Visitors who are on campus for 30 minutes or less per visit do not have to comply with any COVID-19 vaccination or surveillance testing requirements applicable to CUNY staff unless the visitor expects during that time to be less than 6 feet distant of another person for a total of 15 minutes of more.
  • Visitors under the age of 12 do not have to comply with any COVID-19 vaccination or surveillance testing requirements unless they are enrolled in programs, but are subject to mask requirements.
• Access to college facilities will be limited to authorized students, faculty, staff, and other visitors after completing any mandatory pre-visit and entrance protocols (e.g., daily screening, COVID-19 testing, verification of vaccination, etc.).
  • All visitors must schedule their visits in advance and must be approved by the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator or their designee. Non-essential visitors may be restricted from entering college facilities. Faculty, staff, and students may be approved as follows:
    • Through scheduled activities – Work schedules included in departmental/office reopening plans; scheduled class sessions; appointments with service areas. (Note: approval is limited to the scheduled activity.)
    • By submitting a request – Employees (faculty and staff) who are not scheduled to work on site for a particular day may request access through Public Safety. Employees should send an email to CampusVisit@hostos.cuny.edu and copy their departmental supervisor/chair on the email request. Access is dependent on expected building occupancy; employees must receive approval from Public Safety by email prior to their visit.
  • Every effort will be made to limit the number of “invited guests,” such as contractors, service personnel, and employees of DASNY. Nevertheless, all will be required complete mandatory pre-visit and entrance protocols.
  • Non-essential common areas and unused spaces will remain closed.
• The College may assign additional staff, such as Public Safety officers or student Safety Ambassadors to assist in managing the flow of traffic and to remind people to maintain adequate physical distance in public areas such as lobbies, hallways, and the Library.
• The College will post health advisory signs, traffic direction-flow signs, floor markings for physical distancing, and occupant capacities for classrooms, restrooms, elevators, elevator lobbies, dining/break areas and entrance areas to ensure proper physical distancing and to prevent congregation. Posters will be placed throughout to encourage use of stairs to limit density in elevators. See Attachment B: Signage Plan for details.

Reconfigured Floor Plans

• The College will reconfigure the use of classrooms and other places where students, faculty, and staff gather, so that individuals are spaced according to physical distancing requirements. Until the rooms are reconfigured and an occupancy sign is posted, the rooms will not be accessible.
• There will be no sharing of workstations unless necessary. Provisions are made to clean and disinfect shared equipment between uses (see Part 2, Section II.B).
• The College will reconfigure all accessible areas of seating by removing, marking, or blocking chairs and tables to reduce occupancy to appropriate levels of physical distancing.

Signage

• Hostos will post signs throughout the campus, consistent with current recommendations from the NYSDOH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for COVID-19 signage. The College has used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 signage language to develop campus specific signs and will continue to do so. CDC signage may also be used on campus as needed.
• Signage is used to remind individuals to stay home if they feel sick; cover their nose and mouth with an acceptable face-covering; properly store and, when necessary, discard PPE; adhere to physical distancing instructions; report symptoms of or exposure to COVID-19, and how they should do so; follow hand hygiene and cleaning and disinfection guidelines; follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.
  • Identifiable, uniform, and clear signage will be deployed throughout interior and exterior areas on campus. This “universal signage” will be posted in areas that are unlocked and available, including entrances, exits, elevators, stairwells, hallways, restrooms, offices, classrooms, libraries, cafeterias, laboratories, studios, and other gathering spaces. The College will make use of its inventory of digital screens, as well as printed and laminated signage.
• In addition to personal health guidelines, signage includes information such as directional cues, occupancy limits, traffic patterns, and other campus policies.
  • The College is using barrier tape, signs, and other indicators to manage bidirectional foot traffic in hallways and other spaces throughout the campus.
  • Signs are posted to remind everyone about maintaining physical distance from others.
  • Physical distancing markers (such as signs or floor decals) will be posted in commonly used areas, particularly where lines are commonly formed or people may congregate (e.g., lounges, lobbies, the Library).
  • When possible, entrance and exit paths in buildings and rooms will be separated; this will only be done where separating paths does not negatively impact the flow of foot traffic.
  •  Signage, tape, and other indicators will be regularly evaluated and adjusted to meet needs at each phase of reopening.
• See Attachment B: Signage Plan for more details.

Specific guidelines on indoor gatherings may change as guidance from CUNY Central Office, New York State, and the CDC continues to evolve. During a period where there continues to be a need to limit the number of people in a space, approval of in-person gatherings will prioritize instructional/academic activities above all else, and student engagement activities in support of student success above other extracurricular activities, as these support the College mission. Modifications to these guidelines will be communicated to the Hostos community as needed.

General Guidance for Enclosed Spaces (Updated 03/22)

• The College may minimize in-person gatherings and encourage use of video or teleconferencing technology when possible.
  • Conferences should be conducted via video or teleconferencing. Staff and faculty should use telework and virtual meetings.
  • As long as the College needs to reduce in-person gatherings to meet occupancy limits (Attachment E), highest priority will be given to in-person instructional/academic activities. Student engagement activities that support student success will be considered for in-person events as long as needs for instructional activities can be met. Both will be prioritized above general extracurricular activities, which may continue in a hybrid or fully virtual format.
• When videoconferencing or teleconferencing is not preferable or possible, the College may hold gatherings in open, well-ventilated spaces and ensure that individuals maintain adequate physical distance between one another (e.g., leave space between chairs, have individuals sit in alternating chairs).
  • All in-person gatherings of ten (10) or more people must be approved by the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator or their designee. Approval of gatherings will prioritize academic and student engagement activities. Approval of gatherings will prioritize academic and student engagement activities.
  • The size of gatherings may be limited to comply with current New York State guidelines.
• An acceptable face covering (see Part 2, Section I.A. Physical Distancing > Distancing and Masks/Face coverings) will be required for all occupants in indoor common spaces and when gathering. 
  • Updated 03/2022 Given the lower levels of COVID-19 in NYC, the CDC no longer recommends and NYS no longer has a universal indoor mask mandate. CUNY has therefore lifted its temporary mask mandate. However, anyone who chooses to continue wearing a mask in any campus setting is welcome to do so. Masks will continue to be available on campus. Faculty, staff, and students who are still not vaccinated, or those who have been or will be granted a medical exemption or religious exception, are urged to continue to wear a mask. Mask requirements associated with isolation and quarantine remain in effect.
  • Masks are required outdoors in large, congregate settings but are not otherwise required within outdoor campus spaces.
• Updated 01/2022: Appropriate face masks will be required for all individuals while inside Hostos Community College buildings and outside if physical distancing cannot be maintained. The only exceptions are:
  • If a fully vaccinated person is alone in an enclosed space such as an office, conference room, or dorm room.
  • Briefly while eating or drinking, provided social distancing is maintained.
  • These exceptions do not apply to anyone who is not yet fully vaccinated. Those individuals MUST wear masks indoors and outdoors at all times while on campus, including in enclosed spaces, except when eating (in which case they MUST maintain strict social distancing from other individuals).
• All non-essential amenities and communal areas which promote gathering or are high touch areas (e.g., student lounge, break areas) may remain closed. As an alternative, staff, students, and faculty may be encouraged to bring their own water bottles/coffee mugs and snacks.
• Students, staff, and faculty should not use other people’s personal protective equipment, phones, computer equipment, desks, cubicles, workstations, office, or other personal work tools and equipment.
• Campus Facilities will work with individual Departments to identify spaces that pose a challenge (e.g., too small, no ventilation, bottleneck entry) and recommend approaches to addressing use of those spaces.
• This plan incorporates the use of staggered schedules for employees and classes as an option to promote physical distancing (e.g., breaks, meals, and shift starts/stops). departmental plans should address how these may be used in their area.

Considerations for Cleaning and Disinfecting Enclosed Spaces

Campus-wide cleaning protocols are detailed in the Cleaning and Disinfection Plan (Attachment D) and include the following:

• Areas in use will be disinfected by Housekeeping staff at a minimum of once per day, as per CDC and NYSDOH recommendations. High touch points will be disinfected more frequently and as needed.
• Cleaning and disinfecting supplies (such as wipes) and hand sanitizer dispensers will be available throughout the campus. Supplies will be restocked as needed.
• The College will ensure basic hygiene activities have been completed for areas that are being reopened after a period of vacancy, if necessary (e.g., replacement of HVAC filters; cleaning and inspecting of equipment; and flushing of plumbing devices).
• The Office of Environmental Health and Safety will review the cleaning protocol performed, and inspect offices as needed.

Considerations for Ventilation and Water Systems in Enclosed, Indoor Spaces

Indoor air is filtered and disinfected before being delivered to classrooms, offices, and other campus spaces. The College has taken specific actions based on recommendations from the CDC and NYSDOH to prevent the airborne spread of COVID-19:

• Filters in all HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems filters throughout the campus will be replaced with those rated at a minimum of MERV-13, as recommended by the CDC; this micro filter is tiny enough to contain the COVID-19 virus. (MERV stands for “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values.” Larger values are capable of filtering out smaller particles.)
• Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) lighting will be installed in HVAC systems in all permanent, college-owned buildings to create an antiviral, antibacterial and antimicrobial disinfecting system. UV-C lighting works within the HVAC system to disinfect the air; as the air passes through the UV-C light, the protein shell of the virus is broken down, killing the virus. This is the same disinfecting technology used in hospital HVAC systems has been deployed by the MTA in its subway cars.
• All HVAC systems on campus have the capability of operating at 100% outside air, and 100% outside air may be circulated when outside temperatures and other conditions allow.
  • When feasible, air is cycled out of the building at least every 15 minutes and replaced with 100% outside air.
  • During extreme seasonal temperature swings, exclusive use of outside air can have an adverse effect on the operating characteristics of the equipment and may significantly reduce the desired cooling or heating effect. During such periods, the air supplied to occupied spaces will continue to be filtered (with MERV-13 filters) and disinfected (with UV-C lighting) though a maximum of 40-50% outside air may be maintained.
• Fans such as pedestal, desk, or hard mounted fans will be taken out of service.
• In buildings which are not college-owned, Campus Facilities will work with building management to make necessary adjustments including upgraded filters.

The following maintenance and routine activities, which are not specific to COVID-19 prevention, will continue:

• College will perform daily maintenance inspection for HVAC system. Inspections will include the system’s performance, proper airflow, temperature, and humidity.
• College will perform routine cleaning, testing and treating of cooling tower water to prevent harmful bacteria, including legionella.
• College will routinely clean louvers, air intakes and supply and return registers according to best practices.
• College will replace all supply air filters on a quarterly basis or as needed.
• College will maintain maximum fresh air intake consistent with design operating characteristics.
• College will inspect and clean all condensate pans on a regular basis.
• Water systems, including that of toilets, sinks and water fountains have been exercised regularly throughout the shutdown to ensure clean fresh water.
• All college engineers possess NYC Operating Engineering licenses for HVAC systems.

Guidance for Specific Spaces

This section provides additional plans for addressing occupancy in specific spaces, as well as services that—while normally available—may not be effectively delivered at a distance. These areas may reopen if New York State and CUNY guidelines can be met, though these spaces and services are not necessarily expected to resume during a particular phase of the college reopening.

The College will plan and determine the best course of action for a specific space as each phase is implemented. Considerations for reopening each space includes a balance of factors including risk reduction, student support needs (academic support, support services), and student engagement. Areas shall remain closed until plans to reopen them are reviewed by the Committee.

Lobbies and Common Areas

Physical Preparation:

• In addition to physical distancing measures, plastic or plexiglass barriers will be installed at each Public Safety post located at the building entrances to provide additional safety protection.
• Reception areas will be equipped with plexiglass barriers.
• Reception and waiting area seating will be moved, blocked off, marked, or removed to limit occupancy and ensure appropriate spacing between individuals as needed, though seating will be made available to those needing accommodations.
• Break rooms will be restricted to ensure maintenance of physical distancing protocols.
• Signs will be affixed to walls and floors to regulate the use of common areas with clear signage (including maximum occupancy) and physical distancing measures in accordance with public health rules and guidelines.

Occupancy Preparation:

• Use of waiting areas may be limited unless absolutely necessary. There shall be no lingering or socializing in common areas.
• An acceptable face covering will be required for all occupants.
• If any overcrowding or queuing results due to entrance protocols (such as screenings or test result verification), individuals will be instructed to gather outside in the open air rather than inside the building.
• No visitors will be allowed to gain entry to the College facilities unless approved in advance.

Cleaning Protocol:

• Common areas (e.g., lobby, security check-in) will be cleaned and disinfected at a minimum of once per day, with high touch points disinfected more frequently.
• Cleaning and disinfecting supplies (such as wipes) will be available in common areas for individuals to use before and after they come in contact with surfaces.

Hallways and Stairwells

Physical Preparation:

• Hallways and stairwells will be marked for bidirectional or one-way traffic flow where feasible. Floor markings or barrier tape may be used where necessary.
• Signage will be posted as a reminder to maintain adequate physical distance and to discourage any lingering in hallways and stairwells.
• Hand sanitizer dispensers will be placed at public stairwell entrances.

Operational Preparation:

• An acceptable face covering will be required for all occupants.
• Lingering and gathering in the hallways and stairwells will not be allowed. Hallways and stairwells may be monitored by college staff, such as Public Safety officers or student Safety Ambassadors, to prevent lingering and overcrowding.
• Class schedules will be set at times and locations to reduce crowding in hallways, lobbies, and stairs whenever possible.

Cleaning Protocol:

• High touch surfaces, such as stairwell handles and railings, will be cleaned daily when spaces are occupied.

Elevators

• Phase 1: Elevators are limited to two (2) people per car, though some elevators may be limited to one (1) person due to their size.
• Phase 2: Elevators will be limited to two (2) people or one (1) person per car. Following review by Campus Facilities, larger capacity elevators may allow a maximum of three (3) or four (4) people provided that physical distancing requirements can be met and occupancy remains under 50% of normal capacity.

Physical Preparation:

• Elevator lobbies: Signs are posted in elevator lobbies (next to elevator doors) indicating the elevators occupancy limits, reminding everyone to keep face coverings on at all times, and asking individuals to make elevators available to those who need them. Elevator lobbies will have indicators on the floor to remind occupants to maintain a safe distance while waiting for elevators
• Elevator cabs: Indicators are affixed to the elevator floor demarcating places to stand in the corners of the elevator for maximum spacing between occupants. Signs are posted inside elevator cabs reminding everyone about occupancy limits, that face coverings are required, to limit talking, and to stand on indicators facing away from one another.
• The College will encourage all occupants to use stairs through posters and signage.
• Hand hygiene stations have been placed in the elevator lobbies for use prior to entering and after existing the elevators.

Operational Preparation:

• An acceptable face covering will be required for all elevator occupants.
• Elevator occupancy will be limited by size. Most will be limited to two (2) people per car, though some elevators may be limited to one (1) person. Following review by Campus Facilities, larger capacity elevators may allow a maximum of three (3) or four (4) people if occupancy would remain under 50% of normal capacity.
• Elevators will be prioritized for those unable to use the stairs.
  • The College may assign additional staff, such as Public Safety officers or student Safety Ambassadors to assist in managing the flow of traffic
  • The College will consult with the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) to address mobility needs and prioritization of elevators as necessary.

Cleaning Protocol:

• Housekeeping staff will perform regular cleaning of high touch areas, such as elevator buttons.

Lectures/Classrooms

• Phase 1: On-campus instruction will be limited to specific, skills-based instruction that must be conducted in person.
• Phase 2: The teaching modality (e.g., remote, hybrid, and in-person) for each course and section will be determined by Departments and individual instructors. In-person instruction may be restricted if necessary to keep on campus occupancy within limits set for the reopening phase.

Physical and Operational Preparation:

• Only classrooms that are scheduled with the Registrar and assessed by the Campus Reopening Committee may be used.
  • Classroom use must be scheduled to allow Housekeeping to monitor and track areas for cleaning.
  • The Committee will survey and assess each room to specify number of occupancies based on the size of the room and the phase in which the classroom is reopened. All plans to reopen classrooms and lecture halls must be reviewed and approved by Committee prior to occupancy.
  • Courses scheduled to be delivered online should remain fully remote.
  • Class schedules may be staggered or organized in cohort groups to limit the number of occupants in classrooms and prevent crowding in common areas.
• Occupancy limits in classrooms may be no greater than 50% of fire code when required by New York State guidelines, and capacity shall be further determined by physical distancing guidelines. The distance between seats will allow for necessary separation between individuals based on current distancing guidelines.
  • Each department must develop a program-specific plan with approved capacity and seating layouts for its courses. An attendance schedule for in-person classes may be required for approved plans. Such plans would indicate whether staggered schedules or cohort groups will be implemented and the number of students to be in a classroom at one time during each in-person session.

• All students and instructors will be required to wear an acceptable face covering in classrooms. *As of March 7, 2022, CUNY has lifted its temporary mask mandate.

  • In-person group discussion should only occur with all participants wearing face coverings and maintaining physical distance.
  • If it is deemed necessary for a presenter to speak without a mask, the presenter must maintain or exceed the current minimum physical distance from all classroom occupants.
  • Students and employees engaged in activities that require them to interact at a distance smaller than the current physical distancing requirement will require additional PPE.
    • The College will have adequate PPE supplies for use by staff, instructors and students as needed. See Attachment C: COVID-19 Protective Equipment Requirements for details.
• Delivery of required in-person instruction to any quarantined or high-risk students will be postponed until either safe to conduct in person or a remote substitute is developed and receives proper approval.
• The sharing of resources between classrooms will be prohibited. Instructors and staff will be reminded of this restriction through communications and signage.

Cleaning Protocol:

• Cleaning and disinfecting supplies (such as wipes) for use by students, faculty, and staff will be provided in each classroom to clean work surfaces and equipment after each use. Hand sanitizer dispensers will be installed in lobbies near classrooms.
• Each instructional space that is used will be deep cleaned at least once a day.

Computer Labs

• Phase 1: Planned use of computer labs must be outlined in departmental/office reopening plans.
  • Instructional computer labs may be used for in-person instruction as deemed necessary and feasible.
  • The Open Computer Lab may be reopened during key periods (e.g., final exam periods). Scheduled appointments will be used to limit on-campus activity.
• Phase 2: Planned use of computer labs, including the Open Computer Lab, instructional computer labs, and student support labs, must be outlined in departmental/office reopening plans.

Physical and Operational Preparation:

• Laptops, tablets, and connectivity devices (like WiFi hotspots) will be loaned to faculty, staff, and students for remote use as supply allows. These devices will allow users to fulfill educational/college-related needs while access to the campus remains limited.
• Hygiene protocols must be followed by lab users. Users are responsible for thoroughly disinfecting their hands and their workstation (keyboard, mouse) before and after using any computer terminal. Signage will be posted to direct users to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer, and to use sanitizing wipes.
• Cleaning and disinfecting supplies (such as wipes) will be provided for individual use, and hand sanitizer dispensers are installed in or near computer labs. Supplies and hand sanitizer dispensers will be restocked as needed.
• Disposable keyboard covers may be used in computer labs to support hygiene practices.

Cleaning Protocol:

• Proper cleaning and disinfecting of computers and peripherals will follow manufacturer guidelines.
  • Designated staff or personnel, such as Departmental College Laboratory Technicians (CLTs), who are responsible for maintenance of devices and equipment will continue to clean and disinfect these items, as Housekeeping staff cannot be held responsible for handing specialized equipment. Departments should consider these disinfecting processes when developing reopening plans.
• Disposable keyboard covers may be used in computer labs.

Office Spaces

• Phase 1: Use of office spaces may be reduced due to limits on campus occupancy, and will include:
  • Essential employees.
  • Employees scheduled to work on site as per approved departmental/office reopening plans. Faculty should include regularly scheduled hours working in their offices in their department’s reopening plans.
  • Visits approved by the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator (or their designee) and the individual’s division head, and in consultation with their department director, chairperson, or site director. (This includes faculty who are not scheduled for work on site.)
• Phase 2: Use of office spaces may be reduced and will be based on schedules outlined in approved departmental/office reopening plans.

Physical and Operational Preparation:

• Occupancy limits in office spaces will be determined by a combination of room size and reopening phase.
  • Conference rooms may be temporarily repurposed to allow for adequate physical distancing when necessary.
    • Conference rooms may be repurposed to provide workspaces for staff in more congested work areas.
    • Conference rooms may be used when it is necessary to have private, one-on-one meetings in a physically distanced space.
  • Each department/office should develop its own plan for use of office spaces and work areas (especially multi-person or shared areas) that meets all reopening plan requirements.
  • The Campus Reopening Committee will survey and assess individual areas to provide guidelines for adhering to physical distancing requirements. Plans to occupy office spaces, particularly multi-person or shared areas, must be reviewed and approved by the Committee prior to occupancy.
• A schedule that specifies room usage by day may need to be maintained by the department/office and provided to the College to allow Housekeeping to monitor and track areas for cleaning.
• Staff and Faculty will follow staggered schedules where possible to reduce capacity, supervisors will coordinate access as per the phase-in plan (Attachment E). Schedules will be coordinated with division leaders and will follow physical distancing guidelines.
• Faculty, staff, and students not working in individual offices (e.g., in classrooms, when working in some cubicles or on the open floor with no adequate physical barriers) must wear an acceptable face covering.
• Occupancy of small kitchens (those located in office areas) may be limited to one (1) person at a time as required by New York State guidance. Signage will communicate this.
• Signage will be posted with physical distancing, occupancy, and face covering requirements.

Cleaning Protocol:

• Offices will be inspected and cleaned before reoccupancy, and general cleaning practices will resume when space is reoccupied.
• Individuals will continue to be responsible for cleaning their personal work areas during the day. Cleaning and disinfecting supplies (such as wipes) will be provided for individual use, as feasible.
• Office spaces that are used will be deep cleaned at least once a day.

Conference Rooms

• Phase 1: Meetings will continue to be held remotely. Prior approval by the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator is required for in-person meetings of ten (10) or more people.
• Phase 2:
  • The College recommends that meetings continue to be held remotely when feasible.
  • Prior approval by the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator is required for in-person meetings of ten (10) or more people.
  • Conference rooms may be repurposed to provide workspaces for staff in more congested work rooms or for use when it is necessary to have private, one-on-one meetings in a physically distanced space.

Physical and Operational Preparation:

• The College will minimize in-person meetings and encourage use of video or teleconferencing technology when possible, as per Part 2, Section I.B. Gatherings in Enclosed Spaces > General Guidance for Enclosed Spaces.
• If an in-person meeting is required and remote options are not feasible, the meeting should be held in a space large enough to allow attendees to adhere to occupancy and physical distancing requirements.
  • Patios or outdoor spaces that allow for open air meetings could serve as a substitute for indoor meeting spaces, weather and physical distancing permitting.
  • The size of gatherings may be limited to comply with New York State guidelines.
  • Prior approval by the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator may be required for in-person meetings or other gatherings over a certain size. Approval of gatherings will prioritize academic and student engagement activities.

Cleaning Protocol:

• Cleaning and disinfecting supplies (such as wipes) will be provided for individual use. Supplies will be restocked as needed.

Restrooms

The College will plan and determine the best course of action as each phase is implemented.

• Phase 1: Some restrooms may be closed, and the College will prevent use of some stalls, urinals, and sinks in open restrooms to adhere to physical distancing requirements.
• Phase 2: The College will prevent use of some stalls, urinals, and sinks in open restrooms to adhere to physical distancing requirements.

Physical and Operational Preparation:

• The College will install paper towel dispensers in all restrooms as an alternative to hand dryers.
• All campus plumbing devices, soap dispensers, and paper towel dispensers will be equipped with touchless sensors to minimize device contact.
• Signs will be posted outside restrooms specifying that a maximum of two (2) people may be in the restroom at once, indicating that face coverings are required, and reminding everyone about hand washing.
• Signs will be posted inside restrooms to communicate the importance of hygiene, physical distancing, and wearing of masks. Restrooms will have signs asking employees to wash hands before and after using the restroom.
• Some stalls, urinals, and faucets may be blocked and marked “Not Available” to ensure adequate physical distancing.
• Hand sanitizer dispensers will be located just outside of the restrooms.

Operational Preparations:

• Some restrooms may be closed/locked when building occupancy is limited. Signs marking locked restrooms will indicate the nearest available restroom.
• An acceptable face covering will be required for all restroom occupants.
• Entrance doors shall be kept open, as feasible, to allow additional air circulation and reduce the need to touch door handles.

Cleaning Protocol:

• Restrooms shall be cleaned and disinfected frequently throughout day.
• Housekeeping staff will wipe down high touch surfaces with disinfectants multiple times a day.
• Restrooms will be deep cleaned once per day.
• Documentation detailing cleaning methods, chemicals utilized, schedules, inspection reports and training records may be made available upon request.

Cafeterias, Dining Halls, and Kitchens

• Phase 1: In order to limit the number of gatherings on campus, the Hostos Cafeteria is closed in Phase 1. No cafeteria services will be provided. Employees and students will be encouraged to bring their own food, snacks and drinks.
• Phase 2: Limited food service operations will be considered.

Physical Preparation:

• Physical distancing plans will be developed and will detail allowable seating in the dining areas.
• Capacity signs will be placed in the dining areas to adhere to physical distancing guidelines.
• Automatic sanitizing dispensers near doors and stairwell handles with signage will be provided.
• All self-serve food items will be removed (e.g., dinnerware/drink ware and condiments from communal spaces).

Operational Preparation:

• An acceptable face covering will be required for anyone in a dining area. Removal of face covering will only be allowed while eating or drinking, but all occupants must adhere to physical distancing rules.
• Signage will be posted to prohibit sharing of objects (e.g., bowls, cups, utensils) including personal devices (e.g., cell phone), food and beverages, unless individuals are of the same household.
• The number of people who can sit together will be limited based on the physical distancing plan.
• Cohort dining may be established as feasible, where specific groups of diners are admitted in a staggered schedule. It may be implemented by establishing staggered start, break and end times of the classes and work schedules to minimize the number of people using dining facilities.
• In the case of a confirmed COVID-19 case on campus associated with a dining area, the dining area will be closed for two (2) days before continuing with cleaning and disinfection protocols and with contact tracing efforts.
• Congregating in kitchen areas by staff will be discouraged.

Cleaning Protocol:

• Dining area surfaces will be wiped with enhanced cleaning, disinfection and sanitization measures.
• Dining areas will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected a minimum of once a day.
• Kitchen areas and equipment will be cleaned and disinfected at least once per day. High touch surfaces will be disinfected more frequently or removed when feasible.

Gym and Fitness Areas, Including the Pool

• Phase 1: Fitness areas, including the Main Gym and Physical Education Complex (pool; weight room, aerobics center, locker rooms, dance studio) shall remain closed to exercise/physical fitness activities until plans to reopen some or all of these areas are reviewed by the Committee and approved by CUNY.
• Phase 2: Some fitness areas may remain closed to exercise/physical fitness activities. Plans for areas to reopen must be reviewed by the Committee and approved by CUNY.

Physical Preparation:

• Signs will remind occupants about COVID-19 prevention measures.
• The College may space out lockers and stagger cardio and strength machines as necessary to accommodate required physical distancing.
• The College may use no-touch or scanless check-ins to minimize contact with staff.
• Additional cleaning and disinfecting supplies (such as wipes) and hand sanitizer dispensers may be added throughout fitness areas to prevent gathering around a centralized location when users need to clean equipment.

Operational Preparation:

• The College will consider options to limit the maximum number of people in the facility with access control, use-by-appointment, or other measures.
  • A maximum of no more than 50% of normal occupancy may be employed, but the College may consider a lower cap.
  • The College may consider an additional screening process (in addition to entrance protocols) for those using fitness areas, as feasible.
• Physical distancing measures may be employed in fitness areas including locker rooms, strength and conditioning facilities, fitness and wellness classes, lounge areas, and other recreation facilities.
• Acceptable face coverings will be required for staff and may be required for individuals when they are not exercising.
• The College may consider remote/virtual recreation classes to limit occupancy in fitness areas, as feasible

Cleaning Protocol:

• Individuals will be responsible for wiping down machines and equipment before and after use.
• Housekeeping and fitness area staff will be provided with appropriate techniques and PPE (as per CDC guidelines) for cleaning and disinfecting common, non-clinical spaces, including recreation venues and equipment.
• Weights and equipment will be cleaned and disinfected daily, and a regular deep cleaning schedule for fitness areas will be developed based on use.

Exterior Campus Grounds

• Phase 1: All exterior campus grounds shall remain closed until plans to reopen are reviewed by the Committee.
• Phase 2: Access to exterior campus grounds may be limited and subject to approval.

Waiting Rooms for Emergency Response

The College is prepared to turn any room into a waiting/isolation room, as outlined under Part III.B.: Isolate and Transport Those Who are Sick.

Physical Preparation:

• Portable toilets, cots, and an isolation kit for room doors have been acquired to facilitate use of any room as a waiting/isolation area.

Operational Preparation:

• Space will be labeled “Restricted Area” or “Authorized Personnel Only” once designated as a temporary waiting room.
• The individual being isolated will be held in the designated location until first responders (e.g., paramedics/EMTs or an ambulatory service) arrive to transport them to a medical facility.
• When feasible, the room will remain closed for a minimum of 24 hours prior to cleaning and disinfection (see Section II B: Hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfection for details).

Cleaning Protocol:

• The College will follow CDC guidelines (Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility) when cleaning and disinfecting the area.

The College will have an approved reopening plan in place, as per Part 1, Section II. Governance, before anyone other than essential workers enter the campus (with limited exceptions, as approved by New York State). Everyone on site must adhere to campus plans and guidelines.

Further details on operational activities, particularly by phase, can be found in Attachment E: Phase-In Plan.

General Considerations

The Coronavirus Campus Coordinator and Communications Team will work with Human Resources and the Student Health Services to notify students, faculty, staff, and visitors of new campus policies and changes prior to reopening and upon resuming operations. The College—through Human Resources, Campus Facilities, or as otherwise delegated by the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator—will communicate about the following, as relevant:

• Training on new or modified working schedules, how employees can stay up to date on new scheduling requirements, and how to make requests for schedule changes if a need arises.
• Awareness training on cleaning and disinfection, proper use of PPE, access to replacement PPE, and other precautionary measures
• Staff are responsible for checking with their manager or supervisor to determine when they will be permitted to return to campus, and what their responsibilities are.
• All students, faculty, staff, and visitors will be required to go through pre-visit and entrance protocols or screening as directed by active CUNY or NYSDOH guidelines.
  • Proof of vaccination or COVID-19 testing: When in effect, every person who wishes to enter the campus must either:
    • Show proof that they are fully vaccinated or have submitted proof of vaccination through an established process.
    • Show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test.
  • Daily health screenings: When in effect, students, faculty, staff, and visitors will be required to complete the health screening process on a daily basis. They will be asked to self-report symptoms and risk factors by filling out the NYS health screening template or an equivalent and they will be checked for temperature upon entry to the campus.
  • Beginning August 2021, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be required to enter all CUNY campuses. CUNY will stop use of daily health screenings (self-reporting via Everbridge), following CDC guidance.
• All staff, students, and instructors will be informed that an acceptable face covering is required for all people when on campus, and they will be informed about how to obtain replacement face coverings if necessary. In addition, vulnerable populations will be provided accommodations to delay their in-person instructions at an appropriate and safe time without any negative repercussions.
• Before returning to campus, all faculty and staff may be required to complete an online health and safety COVID-19 training as per NYSDOH guidelines. (As of July 2021, CUNY longer requires or provides online health and safety COVID-19 training.)
• All individuals on campus should carry their Hostos ID at all times.
• The Hostos website will provide details on how to confidentially report issues of noncompliance with physical distancing, hygiene, or safety practices.
• Gathering and congregating in communal spaces will be discouraged.
• The College will provide signage affixed to floor and wall to be used a reminder/guide in entrances, elevators, and restrooms to limit density and prevent exposure where possible.
• The College will encourage students, faculty, and staff who use public transportation or ridesharing to follow CDC guidance and public transit agency recommendations (MTA, NJ Transit, PATH, etc.) on how to protect themselves when using transportation. Additionally, people will be encouraged to commute during less busy times and wash their hands as soon as possible after their trip.
  • While the College cannot ensure the safety of public transportation, the College recognizes that most of our population relies on public transportation to go to school and work. For this reason, staggered work and class schedules will be planned.
• If state-mandated daily health screenings are in effect, personnel performing screening activities are required to view the NYS screeners’ virtual training video.
• If COVID-19 cases develop, the College will restrict social contact and mobility across campus particularly in affected areas (e.g., shutting down some functions) and temporarily move all classes/offices involving an infected individual to online/remote until all contacts can be tested.

Operational Considerations for Vulnerable Populations

The College, through relevant Departments, will continuously evaluate multiple approaches to serving our vulnerable populations, including:

• Offering options for faculty and staff at higher risk for severe illness (including older adults and people of all ages with certain underlying medical conditions) that limit their exposure risk (e.g., telework and modified job responsibilities).
• Offering options for students at higher risk for severe illness that limit their exposure risk (e.g., virtual learning opportunities or delay the required in-person training until safe).
• Communicating to faculty the need to check in with students as frequently as possible and how to work with Student Affairs to report safety and welfare concerns to respective agencies.
• Putting in place policies, consistent with applicable law, to protect the privacy of people at higher risk for severe illness regarding underlying medical conditions in compliance with applicable federal and state privacy and confidentiality laws.
• Informing students facing food insecurity of the availability of services on campus, including the Food Pantry.
• Providing technology and support needed in classrooms for streaming, video recording, etc.
• Expanding access to broadband and technology to close the digital divide.
• Identifying resources for students with learning disabilities or difficulties with remote learning platforms.
• And other recommendations for accommodating students with disabilities on the CUNY's Considerations for Reopening Facilities & Services in Stages page.

Operational Considerations for Mental Health and Welfare

The College, through relevant Departments, will consider resources and recommendations provided in the CUNY Guidelines for Safe Campus Reopening, including:

• Considerations for reopening mental health services and health & wellness services to support students.
• Promoting resources on the CUNY’s Benefits and Wellness page for employees (faculty and staff).
• And additional considerations for promoting mental health during this difficult period.

Operational Considerations for Student Life

The College, through relevant Departments, will continue to make decisions on in-person student life that comply with the campus reopening plan and address recommendations in the CUNY Guidelines for Safe Campus Reopening and under Student Life/Inclusion on the Considerations for Reopening Facilities & Services in Stages page.

On-campus activities may only resume after the approval of a departmental/office reopening plan.

Operational Considerations for Athletics (Updated 07/2022)

The College, through relevant Departments, will continue to make decisions on Athletics that comply with the campus reopening plan and address recommendations in the CUNY Guidelines for Safe Campus Reopening and follow the safety protocols and updates detailed in the CUNY Athletic Conference Return to Sport Plan.

• Updated 01/2023: Gateway testing of athletes will no longer be required.
• Updated 07/2022: All athletes will be required to produce a negative test before returning to campus for the Fall semester.
• Updated 03/2022: Weekly testing will continue for those who are unvaccinated. 
• Updated 03/2022: Individuals are required to follow CUNY’s isolation and quarantine requirements when confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19.
• New 01/2022:All athletes will be required to produce a negative test before returning to campus for the Spring 2022 semester.
• Additional information on safely participating in athletics may be found by consulting the NCAA’s Spring 2022 Training and Competition document.

On-campus activities may only resume after the approval of a departmental/office reopening plan.

Operational Considerations for Technology

The College will continue to update physical classroom and campus infrastructure as needs for online learning evolve, to consider what remote solutions may need to be bolstered to support long-term needs, and support information security and privacy needs as per recommendations in the CUNY Guidelines for Safe Campus Reopening.

Operational Considerations for Facilities and Grounds

The College will continue the following activities, which are now included as recommendations in the CUNY Guidelines for Safe Campus Reopening:

• The College will assign heads of Campus Facilities responsibility for all academic and administrative buildings. Campus Facilities will partner with the relevant campus operations staff to identify physical, operational, and cleaning protocols that will be needed in accordance withPart 2, Section II.B. Hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfection.
• The College will establish cleaning regimens and properly protect and train the custodial staff who conduct cleanings.
• Major space changes will continue to be processed through existing space renovation processes.
• Building energy and utility levels will continue to be adjusted for occupancy.

Operational Considerations for Reclosing in the Event of an Outbreak

• The College will continue to monitor health conditions using clearly defined measures set by New York State (NYS Guidance for Infection Rates on College Campuses) or other health authorities. These measures will serve as a warning sign that infection may be increasing.
• The college will follow state guidance to mitigate spread if the campus infection rate meets the established threshold. If the threshold is reached, the college will switch to remote learning for two weeks and further decisions will be made in consultation with state authorities.
  • The New York State threshold for reclosing a higher education institution is based on the number of individuals (inclusive of students, faculty, and staff) who test positive for COVID-19 within a rolling 14-day period. It is further determined as follows:
    • In general, the threshold is the smaller total of either a. 100 individuals, or b. 5% of the total on-campus population. If this pre-established threshold is reached, the College will immediately (1) transition all in-person learning to remote format(s) and (2) limit on-campus activities for a period of 14 days
    • If at least 25% of the total on-campus population is tested for COVID-19 each week as part of an ongoing policy of surveillance testing, the threshold is the greater total of either a. 100 individuals or b. 5% of the total on-campus population.
  • During a reclosing period, most in-person activities will be suspended. However, essential on-campus functions will continue.
• If the local health situation worsens or community spread is occurring on campus, the campus will review the situation and consult with the Chancellery/COO’s Office, local/state officials, and health authorities to determine whether the campus needs to ramp down (see Attachment F: Ramp Down / Reclosing Plan).
• The College will adopt protocols for updating students, faculty and staff on the status of health markers across the campus in line with recommendations from NYS and CUNY Central Office.
• Any decisions regarding ramp down will be widely communicated to ensure the safety of the CUNY-wide community (see Attachment G: Communications Plan).

• The College will have a designated area for pickups and deliveries to limit contact, as feasible.
  • The College, through Public Safety and Receiving staff, will implement alternative delivery/receiving protocols (e.g., curbside pickups for parcels as well as contactless deliveries and signature) and coordinate drop-offs remotely to avoid contact and overlap.
• The College will provide acceptable PPE and engineering controls for delivery workers and mail room staff for the duration of the delivery process, as applicable.
• Packages and correspondence will be delivered by a designated receiving/mail center designee to visitors and personnel at a designated location.

Face Coverings and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage Requirements (Updated 03/22)

New 03/22: Due to the low levels of COVID-19 in New York City, the CDC no longer recommends and New York State no longer has a universal indoor mask mandate. CUNY has therefore lifted its temporary mask mandate. Anyone who chooses to wear a face cover in any campus setting is welcome to do so. Masks will continue to be available on campus and provided to those who request one. Faculty, staff, and students who are still not vaccinated, or those who have been or will be granted a medical exemption or religious exception, are urged to continue to wear a mask. Mask requirements associated with isolation and quarantine remain in effect.

 

As per Part 2, Section I.A. Physical Distancing > Distancing and Masks/Face Coverings, the College requires the use of an acceptable face covering by all students, faculty, staff, and visitors whenever current adequate physical distancing cannot be maintained between people who do not reside in the same household. (See Attachment A: Physical Distancing).

The College will also continue to adhere to OSHA standards for personal protective equipment (PPE) for workplace activities that typically require a higher degree of PPE.

Additional details on COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements can be found in Attachment C.

Selecting Face Coverings and PPE:

• Acceptable face coverings must meet guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH).
  • Acceptable face coverings for COVID-19 prevention include but are not limited to cloth-based face coverings (e.g., homemade sewn, quick cut, bandana), surgical masks, and N95 respirators.
  • The NYC Department of Health has issued updated guidance on face coverings. This guidance recommends that people (who are medically able) wear snug fitting masks with two or three layers of material to better prevent unfiltered air from passing through; or wear two masks, with a cloth face covering over a disposable mask. The guidance also suggests higher grade masks, like KN95s, for people at greater risk.
  • Cloth face coverings will not be required and should not be placed on:
    • Babies and children younger than 2 years old;
    • Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious; or
    • Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance.
  • Cloth face coverings are not medical personal protective equipment. Medical grade masks (N95) may be reserved for healthcare workers, first responders, and those performing higher risk tasks that require close contact.
• The College will provide reasonable accommodations to employees and students that are unable to wear a cloth face covering or surgical/procedural mask due to medical conditions.
  • Students who cannot medically tolerate masks can contact Student Health Services or Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) for assistance.
  • Employees who cannot medically tolerate masks can contact Human Resources for assistance.
  • Anyone requiring special accommodations for face coverings may be directed to contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.
• The College will allow individuals to use their own acceptable face coverings but does not require employees to supply their own face coverings. The College will not prevent employees from wearing personally owned protective coverings (e.g., surgical masks, N95 respirators, or face shields) as long as they abide by the minimum standards of protection for the specific activity.
• For the purpose of this plan, cloth, disposable, or other homemade face coverings are not acceptable for workplace activities that typically require a higher degree of PPE due to the nature of the work. For those activities, N95 respirators or other PPE used under existing industry standards must continue to be used, as is defined in accordance with OSHA guidelines.

When Face Coverings or PPE Must Be Worn:

Updated 01/22: Appropriate face masks will be required for all individuals while inside Hostos Community College buildings and outside if physical distancing cannot be maintained. The only exceptions are: If a fully vaccinated person is alone in an enclosed space such as an office, conference room, or dorm room. Briefly while eating or drinking, provided social distancing is maintained. These exceptions do not apply to anyone who is not yet fully vaccinated. Those individuals MUST wear masks indoors and outdoors at all times while on campus, including in enclosed spaces, except when eating (in which case they MUST maintain strict social distancing from other individuals).

 

Updated 09/21: Appropriate face masks will be required for all individuals while inside Hostos Community College buildings and outside if physical  distancing cannot be maintained. The only exceptions are: If a fully vaccinated person is alone in an enclosed space such as an office, conference room, or dorm room. In a classroom, if a vaccinated professor is teaching a class and is able to keep social distance from everyone else in the class, he or she may choose not to wear a mask. Note that this exception applies only to faculty; students are still required to wear masks during classes. Briefly while eating or drinking, provided social distancing is maintained. These exceptions do not apply to anyone who is not yet fully vaccinated. Those individuals MUST wear masks indoors and outdoors at all times while on campus, including in enclosed spaces, except when eating (in which case they MUST maintain strict social distancing from other individuals).

Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are required to follow face covering requirements as outlined below unless otherwise determined by CUNY and in consultation with CDC and NYSDOH recommendations.

• The College continues to require acceptable face coverings indoors for everyone on campus, regardless of vaccination status.
  • This reflects updated CDC recommendations which state that acceptable face coverings may still be required by laws, regulations, or other guidance, even for people who are fully vaccinated.
  • People who cannot wear a face covering for medical reasons and require an accommodation should contact the College as outlined in the previous section, “Part 2, Section II.A. Face Coverings [...] > Selecting Face Coverings and PPE.”
• The College and CUNY reemphasize that an acceptable face covering must be worn by anyone who is unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, even if requirements change for fully vaccinated people. (An individual is considered “fully vaccinated” 2 or more weeks after their final dose).
• Acceptable face coverings are required in indoor common areas and in situations where adequate physical distancing between people may be difficult to maintain such as:
  • while inside a room (shared offices, classrooms, bathrooms);
  • when entering/exiting rooms;
  • when riding in elevators;
  • when otherwise traveling around the campus (e.g., lobbies, corridors, and stairwells);
  • in large, congregate settings outdoors.
• Faculty, staff, and students must wear acceptable face coverings when not working in individual offices (e.g., in classrooms, when working in some cubicles or on the open floor with no adequate physical barriers).
• Employees (faculty and staff) must wear face coverings when interacting with students, coworkers, or visitors where there is no physical barrier and adequate physical distancing cannot be maintained.
• When sitting in offices or enclosed private workspaces alone, employees do not need to wear a mask or face covering.
  • Pending review of the space by Campus Facilities, employees in some cubicles may be allowed to remove a mask or face covering if they are the only occupant and their work area is an adequate distance from other people. Ability to go without a face covering in cubicles must be discussed with and approved by Campus Facilities and should be included in the departmental/office reopening plan.
  • Employees must be ready to wear/put on an acceptable face covering immediately if an individual unexpectedly comes within the current minimum required physical distance of their workspace.
  • Employees should avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth when removing masks, and wash hands immediately before and after removal.
• Vendors/contractors will be required to wear acceptable face coverings at all campus locations including designated work areas or using the College’s common space, employee occupied space, or situations where physical distancing may be difficult to maintain such as riding in elevators, entering/exiting classrooms or student centers, and when traveling around the campus (corridors and stairwells).
• Face coverings or PPE must be worn when academic programming requires students to engage in close contact simulations for instructional laboratories and to complete fieldwork.
  • For on campus labs:
    • For students and employees participating in on-campus laboratory instruction where physical distancing is feasible and adhered to, the minimal requirement is an acceptable face covering.
    • Additional PPE may be required when students and employees are engaged in activities on campus that make it difficult or impossible to maintain adequate physical distancing. In these instances, additional PPE may consist of one of the following:
      • Face shield with acceptable mask.
      • Mask with attached shield.
  • For off-site clinical work/fieldwork
    • Students and employees attending clinical work/externships must follow the rules and regulations of that agency in terms of PPE and hygiene and must use proper PPE as instructed.
    • In the case proper PPE is not provided by the medical facility, students and employees must bring the PPE with them for use at the facility.
• High-risk employee groups that may be provided additional PPE (i.e., masks, face shields, gloves, safety glasses, isolation gowns) may include customer-facing employees; employees who regularly interact with non-employees; staff performing cleaning and disinfection; and employees conducting health screenings or aiding a person who is suspected or confirmed to be infected with COVID-19. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety will work with staff who may require additional PPE.
  • Guidance for gloves:
    • Individuals will be required wear gloves while handling food products for consumption by others.
    • Individuals expected to collect or distribute materials throughout the workday (e.g., mail services, cashiers) will wear disposable gloves while handling materials and practice proper hand hygiene (hand washing or hand sanitizer) after gloves are removed.
    • Individuals that require the use of gloves for specific activities related to their job duties are to continue the normal protocol of use.
  • Guidance for protective eyewear:
    • Individuals engage in activities that require them to come within the minimum required physical distance of another person may be required to wear protective eyewear (safety glasses, goggles, or face shields).
    • Staff performing cleaning and disinfection should wear eye protection when there is a potential for splash or splatter to the face.
• The College will continue to adhere to OSHA standards for personal protective equipment (PPE). Employees should continue to follow their routine policies and procedures for personal protective equipment (if any) that they would ordinarily use for their job tasks as per all applicable OSHA standards.
  • Common PPE that may be used to protect employees and others per OSHA standards include surgical/procedural masks, face shields, gloves, and glasses.
  • The Office of Environmental Health and Safety will continue to work with staff who must follow OSHA standards for specific PPE.

Cleaning and Disposal of PPE:

• Face coverings should be cleaned by the user or replaced after use or when damaged or soiled. They should be properly stored or discarded and should not be shared.
  • The College will encourage everyone to follow CDC guidance for usage and cleaning, including washing and drying of face coverings
• Gloves, facemasks, face shields or other PPE (i.e.: gowns or coveralls) are to be disposed of as regular garbage.
• PPE that is soiled with blood or bodily fluids containing blood are to be disposed as biohazardous waste.
• Additional details on cleaning and disposal of PPE can be found in Attachment C: COVID-19 Protective Equipment Requirements.

College Supply, Availability, and Training for Face Coverings and PPE

• The College will have an adequate supply of face coverings, masks, and other required PPE on hand should any student or employee need a replacement.
  • Face coverings will be available upon request; anyone needing a replacement should go to a Public Safety desk/booth for assistance.
  • Individuals or Departments in need of replacements for other PPE should continue to work with the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.
• The College will procure, fashion, or otherwise obtain acceptable face coverings and PPE for employees and provide such coverings at no cost to the employee pursuant to Executive Order 202.16, as amended. Such employees include but are not limited to those who directly interact with students or members of the public while at work.
  • The College will have sufficient inventory of PPE prior to resuming any on campus activities. Procurement will continue to work with Administration and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety to ensure that the College is procuring the appropriate quality and type of PPE.
  • The College will follow CDC recommendations under Optimizing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supplies and follow CUNY Central Office requirements to maintain an adequate supply of face coverings, masks, and other required PPE on hand should an employee need a replacement.
  • All supplies will be stored, tracked, and issued by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.
  • See Attachment C: COVID-19 Protective Equipment Requirements for further details.
• Academic programs that require students to engage in close contact simulations for instructional laboratories and to complete field work (i.e., Dental) requirements should follow CDC recommendations under Optimizing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supplies and all applicable regulations. Procurement and distribution of PPE to ensure an adequate supply, and replacement when PPE becomes soiled or damaged, is the responsibility of the associated academic department.
  • For Allied and Health Science clinical labs that involve close contact and hands-on activity, each program must have an approved plan describing additional PPE required for their students.
• The College, through its Office of Environmental Health and Safety, will train employees on how to adequately put on, take off, clean (as applicable), and discard PPE, including but not limited to appropriate face coverings. Such trainings will be extended to students if the college or academic department is supplying PPE.
• Additional details on cleaning and disposal of PPE can be found in Attachment C: COVID-19 Protective Equipment Requirements.

The College will ensure adherence to hygiene and cleaning and disinfection requirements as advised by the CDC and NYSDOH.

Hand Hygiene

• The College will provide and maintain hand hygiene stations around the institution, as follows:
  • For hand washing: soap, running warm water, disposable paper towels, and a lined garbage can.
    • Signage will be posted to recommend and reinforce hand washing, particularly for visibly soiled hands.
    • The College will recommend and reinforce hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • For hand sanitizing: an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol for areas where hand washing facilities may not be available or practical.
    • Touch-free hand sanitizer dispensers will be available throughout common areas, such as at the building entrances and exits, corridors, and elevator lobbies.
• Where installing touch-free amenities is not feasible, the College will at a minimum, make hand sanitizer available near high touch surfaces (e.g., trash receptacles, paper towel dispensers).

Cleaning and Disinfection

• Cleaning and disinfecting supplies (such as wipes) will be available throughout the campus so that that commonly used, shared surfaces (e.g., keyboards, desks, copiers, and remote controls) can be wiped down before and after use. Additional receptacles may be placed around the institution for disposal of soiled items, including paper towels and PPE.
• Individuals will continue to be responsible for cleaning their personal work areas during the day. Cleaning and disinfecting supplies (such as wipes) will be provided for individual use, as feasible.
  • The College, in consultation with the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, may select appropriate cleaning and disinfection supplies for shared and frequently touched surfaces. The College will encourage employees to use these supplies following manufacturer’s instructions for use before and after use of these surfaces, followed by hand hygiene.
• Designated staff or personnel, such as departmental College Laboratory Technicians (CLTs), who are responsible for maintenance of devices and equipment will continue to clean and disinfect these items, as Housekeeping staff cannot be held responsible for handing specialized equipment.
  • If cleaning and disinfecting supplies are not provided within a Science/Health Sciences laboratory for students and professors to use before and after use of shared equipment/models, College Laboratory Technicians or designated personnel will be responsible for cleaning and disinfecting laboratory equipment including, bench tops after each class.
  • Designated IT technicians or personnel responsible for the maintenance of computer labs equipment will be responsible for cleaning and disinfection of the keyboards as needed. If reusable keyboard covers are used, disinfecting at the end of each day is required at a minimum by UV technology, soap and water, or by the use of disinfectant spray/wipe.
  • For college-owned vehicles, drivers will clean and disinfect high touch points on and in vehicles before and after each use. Disinfecting supplies will be stored in each vehicle.
  • Machinery, equipment, or electronic devices must be inspected for any frayed wires or damages of any form prior to cleaning and disinfection and ensure disinfectants are appropriate for the use on specific surface(s).
• The College will conduct regular cleaning and disinfection of the facilities and more frequent cleaning and disinfection for high-risk areas used by many individuals and for frequently touched surfaces as per current NYDOH guidance.
  • Detailed cleaning and disinfection information is included under Attachment D: Cleaning and Disinfection Plan.
  • The College will maintain logs that include the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection. The College will identify cleaning and disinfection frequency for each facility type and assign responsibility.
  • The College will have sufficient inventory of cleaning and disinfection products prior to resuming any on campus activities. Procurement will continue to work with Administration and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety to ensure that the College is procuring the appropriate products.
  • The College will follow CDC guidelines on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility if someone is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, as outlined in Attachment D: Cleaning and Disinfection Plan.

General

The College will assume a gradual expansion of activities on campus while ensuring compliance with sound public health practices where appropriate, including the use of heightened cleaning, staggered access, and physical distancing protocols. The College’s Coronavirus Campus Coordinator is designated by the College as the campus safety monitor whose responsibilities include continuous compliance with all aspects of the campus reopening plan.

Moving Between Phases

• Per NYS Guidelines, the College will phase-in reopening activities to allow for operational issues to be resolved before activities return to normal levels.
  • The College will limit the number of employees, hours, and number of students when first reopening so as to provide operations with the ability to adjust to the changes. A phased reopening of campus activities will allow students, faculty and staff to adjust to necessary changes, such as the implementation of new telework/telecommuting policies, flexible learning/grading policies, etc.
• Movement between phases will be condition-based and assessed through a periodic risk analysis and upon up-to-date information about the health of the CUNY community as reported in daily Campus Liaison reports and in consultation with State and local health officials.
• In addition to following a risk-based approach, the College will periodically evaluate the status of its restart to advise the Chancellery/COO’s Office of its intent to safely proceed to the next phase of reopening. This will be contingent on health numbers continuing to improve/stay stable, supplies of PPE remaining available, and whether the safeguards the campus has implemented are effective at mitigating the inherent risks of the next phase of reopening.
• In progressing through each phase, the Chancellery/COO’s Office and the Campus Reopening Committee will be responsive to local health conditions and continuously monitor and modify the reopening approach. The College will track progress during each phase to inform future transitions and will make every effort to limit disruptions to student learning during academic semesters.
• The Reopening Phase-In Plan (Attachment E) will be constructed with the notion that as a new phase is implemented, activities from prior phases will continue and possibly expand with additional safeguards in place as density on campus increases. The following factors, along with public health protocols, will be considered at each phase:
  • Availability of PPE for the campus
  • Provisions for hand sanitizer and enhanced cleaning and disinfecting
  • Physical distancing plan and occupancy requirements
    • Number of students and faculty present in each session
    • Length of each session
    • Nature of activities
  • Reports and internal monitoring based on information from students, faculty, and staff (such as self-reporting through daily health screenings, or results from mandatory testing). (See Part 2, Section III.A. Screening and Testing > Screening)
    • Additional screening or tracing that may be required
  • Required trainings for faculty, staff and students prior to returning to campus, if mandated by CUNY or NYS guidance.
  • Public health practices: face coverings, physical distancing, cough/sneeze etiquette, hand hygiene.
  • State of mass transit as many faculty, students, and staff come to the campus via public transportation.
  • College’s communications plan
  • Provisions for vulnerable populations
  • Thresholds for moving to the next Phase as well as thresholds for possible ramp down or closure will be closely monitored (All City, State and CUNY public health protocols will be followed).
• The College will require the development of individualized plans for each course/program, activity, and physical area prior to resuming on campus activities. For any activity proposed to resume on-campus:
  • The plan will include specific conditions, including type of activity, density, staggered schedules, physical distancing, cleaning/hygiene protocols, and other requirements.
  • Each plan will include the data and guidelines from the previous phase, to help assess capacity and best practices as the College gradually reopens.
• Prior to commencing reopening, the College will establish plans for enforcement of public health measures including but not limited to:
  • Required face coverings
  • Physical distancing between building occupants
  • Scheduled work shifts
  • Self-checks and testing
  • Cleaning and disinfecting

Operations During Phases

• Members of the campus community will not be required or permitted to return to campus if the Campus Reopening Plan, as approved by the Chancellery/COO’s Office, determines that particular sets of activities can and should continue to be accomplished remotely.
• On-campus activities in the present phase will be shut down quickly if a return to an earlier phase is required. Should public health conditions change for the worse in any phase, activities will be ramped down accordingly
• Throughout any phased return to campus, the College will enforce strict physical distancing, use of PPE, and cleaning protocols.
• It is understood that the College will generally rely upon the cooperation of the community in complying with safety protocols in the reopening plans. If necessary, the campus may monitor and intervene to address noncompliance.
  • For employees (staff and faculty):
    • First and second instances will receive verbal instruction on the applicable guideline and may result in reports to supervisors by public safety staff.
    • A third instance may also include a report to the Campus Coordinator to determine whether to restrict the employee’s access to campus.
  • For students:
    • Multiple infractions by students will use existing protocols for handling student disciplinary issues.
    • See also ‘Covid-19 Student Conduct Protocol’ on CUNY’s Guidance on Academic Continuity to campuses page.
• The College will provide reasonable accommodations to students, faculty, and staff who have a medical condition or other risk factor, as detailed on CUNY’s information on Reasonable Accommodations and Academic Adjustments page.
  • Students in need of accommodations should contact the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC).
  • Employees who are seeking an accommodation should contact Human Resources, as per CUNY’s COVID-19 and Employee Accommodations page.
  • CUNY will carefully review all requests on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law.

The College will develop a communications plan for students, parents or legal guardians, employees and visitors that includes applicable instructions, training, signage, and a consistent means to provide individuals with updated information. The Chancellery and the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and University Provost will continue to communicate CUNY-wide information and policy via CUNY’s Coronavirus Update page, while the College will communicate information specific to its community.

The communications plan will be reviewed and revised on a regular basis by the Communications Plan Owner.

• The College will engage with community members (e.g., employees, students, interested organizations) when developing reopening plans. Plans will identify who were the groups of people involved and engaged throughout the process. See Attachment I: Campus Reopening Committee for details.
• Campus reopening plans will be communicated to CUNY stakeholders, particularly students, faculty and staff, before each phase of reopening.
  • All campus communications regarding COVID-19, including reopening plans, operational changes, and provisions for remote education and student services will be made available or archived in a single location on the campus website, https://www.hostos.cuny.edu/ready. This page will also acknowledge and provide a link to CUNY’s Coronavirus Update page (https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/).
• All signage and communications will be overseen by the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator and Communications Plan owner, in cooperation with the College's Communication Director. See Attachment G: Communications Plan for additional details.
  • A campus Reopening Communications Plan has been developed to document the planning and methods for COVID-19 communications for the College. Supplemental documents will catalogue signage, email templates, and webpage documents. This plan will address:
    • What information will be communicated through college channels;
    • The ways information will be communicated;
    • The frequency of communications;
    • The people who will be responsible for ensuring that what we share is relevant and up-to-date;
    • The project workflow, including final approval of messaging;
    • How review and revision of this plan or changes to communications under this plan are managed;
    • Standard templates, formats, or documents related to this plan, including signage; and,
    • A process for resolving any communication-based conflicts or issues.
  • The Communications Plan Owner will lead the overall signage and communications project, address compliance of content with current guidelines and recommendations, and be responsible for consistent, relevant, and clear content across all mediums.
  • The College Communications Director will coordinate COVID-19 related communications through established channels. In addition to working with the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator and Communications Plan Owner, the Communications Director will be a point of contact for the Chancellery/COO’s Office on appropriate messaging.
  • A Reopening Communications Team, which includes the Communications Plan Owner and College Communications Director, will help identify messages to be shared and the appropriate communications channels.
• Hostos will utilize a variety of methods/platforms for communicating with different audiences (e.g., developing webpages, emails, texting, social media, virtual events, and other options to share instructions, training, signage and information).
  • The College will use different communication tactics for each audience. Methods may include:
    • Students and parents: Hobsons, Succeed@Hostos, Blackboard, and signage (students only); plus, email, website, social media, virtual events, postal mail
    • Faculty and staff: email, union communications, social media, website, virtual events, signage
    • Alumni and community partners: social media, website presence, postal mail
    • Campus visitors: signage, website, email
• The College will continue to utilize the communications channels consistently as a means to provide updated information. See Attachment G: Communications Plan for details.
• The College will adopt a communications approach that emphasizes transparency and is customized to the campus:
  • The College will communicate to students/faculty/staff what is being done to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (e.g., disinfection routine, health policies for staff, and health & safety measures in place).
  • The College will communicate to faculty and staff any required training to help them adjust to new campus behaviors.
  • The College will communicate plans for reopening and drive adherence to new protocols within those plans.
  • The College will establish formal and informal routes of communication for employees to express concerns, questions, comments, and feedback.
  • The College will train all personnel on new protocols and frequently communicate safety guidelines.
  • Hostos will encourage all students, faculty, staff and visitors to adhere to CDC and NYSDOH guidance regarding the use of PPE—specifically face coverings—when adequate physical distancing cannot be maintained, through verbal communication and signage.
  • The Campus Coordinator and Liaison will work with the Campus Reopening Committee and the Chancellery/COO’s Office to communicate information about the health of the campus community, such as the information compiled from daily health screenings or COVID-19 testing (including data on positive cases) as required by CUNY or NYSDOH guidelines. This is in addition to addressing required reporting (see Part 2, Section III.A. Screening and Testing > Screening).
  • The Campus Reopening Committee will be responsible for answering questions from students and faculty regarding the COVID-19 health emergency and plans put forward by the institution.
    • The Campus Reopening Committee will work closely with the Chancellery/COO’s Office to monitor health conditions and jointly develop monitoring strategies.
    • The Campus Reopening Committee will also work closely with the Chancellery/COO’s Office to coordinate with local health Departments, as needed, and other higher education institutions.
• The College’s signage plan is included in Attachment B: Signage Plan and a separate Reopening Communications Plan. Signs will be posted in high visibility areas inside and outside of each building (including common areas, restrooms, shared office spaces, classrooms, etc.).
  • The signs will be used to communicate:
    • Reminders of proper hygiene, physical distancing rules, appropriate use of PPE, and cleaning and disinfecting protocols;
    • Specific room or space occupancy limits, if applicable; and
    • Additional precautions that must be observed for unique spaces
  • Floor markings or barrier tape may be used where necessary to promote physical distancing. For more information on signage see Part 2, Section I.A. Physical Distancing and Part 2, Section I.B. Gatherings in Enclosed Spaces > Guidance for Specific Spaces.
• The College will use email, social media, and other channels as appropriate to announce campus policies, as well as information about departmental plans and the campus-wide plan. This information will also be posted conspicuously on the website; the location online will be advertised on posters around the campus.
• Public Safety personnel will be trained to assist with community adherence to campus policies and the campus reopening plan. This will include talking points/best practices for how to approach individuals who are not following with posted rules, and how to identify and record violations in line with appropriate reporting structures for staff, faculty, and students. In all rented spaces where the College operates, the designated person(s) will work with building management to help facilitate any building-wide communications.
• The College will communicate that staff and faculty must inform Public Safety when they plan for essential visitors to enter the campus, and that they must gain approval in advance by submitting a request to CampusVisit@hostos.cuny.edu. Public Safety, working on behalf of the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator, must be provided with a log of expected visitors to coordinate screening, tracing, and cleaning & disinfecting processes. This will enable screening and tracing processes as described in Part 2, Section III.A. Screening and Testing > Screening (e.g., third-party contractors).
• Messaging will be guided by a focus on plain language, sensitivity to the realities of our campus population, and crisis-specific principles. See Appendix G: Reopening Communications Plan for additional details.

Vaccination Requirements (Updated 07/2022)

Updated 07/2022: Students who are new and/or returning to campus in Fall 2022 are required to be vaccinated unless they have been granted a religious exception or medical exemption; they are also strongly encouraged to get a booster when they become eligible for one. Those 18 and older are eligible for a booster shot at 5 months after the completion of two dose regimen of Pfizer, 5 months after the completion of two dose regimen of Moderna or 2 months after the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) shot. (Those 12-17 year olds who initially received the Pfizer two dose regimen are eligible for a Pfizer booster 5 months after completing the regimen.) The Pfizer or Moderna booster is preferred in most situations. Student participation in on-campus activities will require proof of vaccination unless a religious or medical exemption has been approved.

Updated 01/2022: CDC recommends the removal of some constraints for vaccinated individuals and continues to recommend constraints for unvaccinated individuals. Students who plan to return to campus in the spring will be required to be vaccinated to register for in-person and hybrid courses and get a booster when they become eligible for one. Those 18 and older are eligible for a booster shot at 5 months after the completion of two dose regimen of Pfizer, 5 months after the completion of two dose regimen of Moderna or 2 months after the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) shot. (Those 12-17 year olds who initially received the Pfizer two dose regimen are eligible for a Pfizer booster 5 months after completing the regimen.) The Pfizer or Moderna booster is preferred in most situations. Student participation in on-campus activities will require proof of vaccination and booster unless a religious or medical exemptions has been approved.

All faculty are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (two dose Pfizer or Moderna regimen, or 1 dose J&J) unless a religious or medical exemption has been approved.

Individuals who received a World Health Organization (WHO) approved vaccination other than the three listed above must provide more information. Students can reach out to your Campus Location Vaccination Authority (LVA) and faculty can contact HR.

Hostos Community College’s designated Coronavirus Campus Coordinator (see Attachment I: Campus Reopening Committee) will act as the central point of contact, and their responsibilities include continuous compliance with all aspects of the campus reopening plan. The Campus Coordinator may delegate responsibilities depending upon activity, location, shift or day. The Campus Coordinator is responsible for receiving (from the Coronavirus Campus Liaison or other health care personnel), and attesting to having reviewed, all screening reports or other campus data (such as test results) required by CUNY or NYSDOH guidelines. The Campus Liaison is the party who will receive, compile and report COVID-19 exposures; this information may be collected via the submission of the NYS Daily Health screening Template (described below under Screening and in Attachment H: Screening Plan), via campus screeners, COVID-19 testing, or other processes and protocols established by CUNY or the NYSDOH.

All City University of New York (CUNY) students must be fully vaccinated to attend in-person classes in Fall 2021. CUNY and the College strongly encourages all faculty members, staff, and visitors as well as remote-instruction students to get vaccinated for COVID-19. As more members of the CUNY community get vaccinated, the safer and more productive the Fall 2021 semester will be.

Returning to Campus

The following protocols are to be established and publicized prior to the approved return of students, faculty and staff to the campus, and strictly enforced thereafter.

• The College will communicate that employees who are sick must stay home or return home if they become ill at work.
  • The College will ensure that faculty, staff, and students know they must not come on campus if they are sick, and must notify CUNY officials (e.g., the Coronavirus Campus Liaison) if they become sick with COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 symptoms or a confirmed or suspected case.
• Any student, faculty, or staff member diagnosed with COVID-19 by their healthcare provider must notify the Coronavirus Campus Liaison or their designee..
• Before returning to campus, students, faculty, and staff who have been sick with COVID- 19 symptoms, tested positive for COVID-19, or have been potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19 must follow CDC guidance to self-isolate or stay home.
• CUNY guidance may require the quarantine of students or employees after travel (domestic and international), per current CDC and NYSDOH guidance. The College will implement CUNY quarantine requirements and update protocols if directed by CUNY Central Office.
• Updated 09/21: Hostos continues to require that unvaccinated individuals enter quarantine in the event of possible exposure. Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine after exposure, but will not be allowed on campus until after receiving a negative test. Isolation is required for all individuals when diagnosed with COVID-19.
  • A fully vaccinated person who (i) has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and (ii) shows no symptoms of COVID-19, should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure AND not report to in-person work or class until they receive a negative test result or medical clearance to return.
  • An unvaccinated person who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not, should quarantine for 10 days.
  • In general, an individual should isolate for at least 10 days after a positive test. Isolation should be longer if symptoms are present - at least 24 hours after no fever without fever-reducing medication and all symptoms are improving.

Screening and Verification of Vaccination or Negative COVID-19 Tests (Updated 01/23)

Updated 01/2023: The College will no longer require a proof of vaccine or recent negative test for visitors.

All students, faculty, staff, and visitors will be required to go through pre-visit and entrance protocols or screening. Protocols may include daily health screenings, proof of vaccination, COVID-19 testing, or a combination.

The College will follow all pre-visit and entrance protocols or screening procedures implemented at CUNY and outlined in the guidance, including instructions to employees on when to return home and when to return to work.

Pre-visit and entrance protocols described here and in Attachment H: Screening Planwill be applied according to CUNY and NYSDOH guidelines.

Daily health screenings

Daily health screenings are based on self-reporting of symptoms, test results, and risk factors (e.g., exposure to someone with COVID-19 symptoms, certain types of travel, etc.)

Based on CDC guidance, CUNY may stop entry screening (Everbridge self-reporting) and rely on individuals to stay home when they are sick. Beginning August 2021, CUNY will end use of Everbridge daily health screenings and switch to requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

When daily health screenings are in effect as a pre-visit/entrance protocol:

• The College will implement mandatory regular NYS health screening of employees, students and, where practicable, scheduled visitors. Such screening will not be mandated for delivery personnel.
  • All employees, students, and visitors coming on campus must be screened on a daily basis.
• Screenings must identify individuals who should be further tested and prevent employees from intermingling in close contact with each other prior to completion of the screening. Health screenings will be consistent with the NYS health screening template which asks the required three questions as to whether the individual has:
  • (1) Knowingly been in close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19;
  • (2) Tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days; and/or
  • (3) Has experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days. (Refer to CDC information on Symptoms of COVID-19 for the most up-to-date information on symptoms associated with COVID-19.)
• All students, faculty, staff, and visitors are required to complete an Everbridge Health Screening and must show that they have received an “Access Approved” token before they are allowed to enter a campus facility for that day. These screening will be conducted remotely via an online link before the individual arrives on campus or at work (at or near the beginning of each work or school day), to the extent possible.
  • The College must utilize the Everbridge Health Screening app to deliver the NYS health screening template questions. Data from the screenings managed through Everbridge will be gathered similarly to the data gathering process used by CUNY Coronavirus Campus Liaisons.
  • The information from the screening template will need to enable contact tracing and should allow the campus to provide the individual with resources on health care and testing, if applicable.
  • Data will be reviewed as necessary by the Chancellery/COO’s Office and Campus Reopening Committee, with local and state health officials, and will ensure campus and Central decision-makers can calibrate reopening/reclosing plans based on the health status of the CUNY community. The college will follow state guidance to mitigate spread if the campus infection rate meets the established threshold (see [Attachment F: Ramp Down / Reclosing Plan.).
  • The data gathered from the screening will be reviewed by CUNY Legal for compliance with the relevant provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• If an individual answers “yes” to any screening questions, the individual is instructed to return home (or stay home, in the case of a remote screening process). The campus screeners must immediately notify the Coronavirus Campus Liaison of any affirmative responses. Any individual who screens positive for COVID-19 symptoms must be sent home to their residence or to the designated isolation or quarantine location with instructions or arrangement for health assessment and testing.
  • The Campus Liaison will immediately notify the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator who must ensure that the State and local health department are immediately notified about the case if the individual tests positive for COVID-19 (and notify the CUNY SVC for Institutional Affairs and the Campus Reopening Committee). The College will also provide the individual with information on healthcare and testing resources, if applicable.
• In addition to daily screenings, the College will require individuals to immediately disclose if and when their responses to any of the aforementioned questions changes, such as if they begin to experience symptoms, including during or outside of work hours. The College will direct individuals to use the health screening process to self-report symptoms, in addition to notifying their supervisor or advisor.
• The College has clearly defined measures that will serve as warning signs that infection may be increasing beyond an acceptable level (see Part 2, Section I.C. Operational Activity > Operational Considerations for Reclosing in the Event of an Outbreak).
  • The College, in consultation with the Chancellery/COO’s Office, may choose to scale back operations prior to instituting a campus-wide shutdown to help mitigate a rise in cases.
• In addition to the Everbridge health screening process, temperature checks may also be conducted as a screening method, with those identified as having a fever asked to leave campus and advised to get a COVID-19 test. (Note that New York State COVID-19 Return to Work Guidance requires screenings to include temperature checks with a no-touch thermometer.) Such temperature checks must be conducted per U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or DOH guidelines. If the College implements temperature checks, the following guidelines must be adhered to:
  • The College is prohibited from keeping records of employee health data (e.g., specific temperature data of an individual on a given date or time).
  • The College will ensure that any personnel performing in-person screening activities, including temperature checks, are appropriately protected from exposure to potentially infectious employees or visitors entering the facilities.
  • Personnel performing screening activities must be designated and must be a supervisory-level employee or a health care professional, as per New York State COVID-19 Return To Work Guidance. (NYS higher education guidelines allow the training to be done by employer-identified individuals who are familiar with CDC, NYSDOH, and OSHA protocols.) Screeners will be trained using a NYS-provided training video.
  • On-site screeners will be provided with and use PPE. PPE for screeners will include an acceptable face covering or mask and a single pair of disposable gloves at a minimum, and may include a gown, and/or a face shield.
• Screeners will collect basic information from all employees on a daily basis. Screeners must maintain a record of all staff who are screened, as well as if screening was passed or if the staff member was instructed to return home, provided no other health information is recorded or maintained.
  • The Coronavirus Campus Liaison will secure, review and provide this information to the CUNY SVC for Institutional Affairs and the Campus Coordinator.
  • When not directly in use, all hard copy screening records will be kept in a locked office or drawer. Electronic records will be appropriately protected.
  • Records must be secured and reviewed on a daily basis.
• The College will develop a way to identify individuals who have completed a screening for the day.
• The College will screen individuals at or near building entrance to identify potentially symptomatic visitors.

Verification of Vaccination or Negative COVID-19 Tests (Updated 01/2023)

Updated 01/2023: The College will no longer require a proof of vaccine or recent negative test for visitors.

Updated July 2022 Students who are new and/or returning to campus in Fall 2022 are required to be vaccinated. They should be strongly encouraged to get a booster shot when they become eligible for one. All students are expected to test before returning to campus. Student participation in on-campus activities will require proof of vaccination unless a medical or religious exemption has been approved. Weekly testing will continue for those who are unvaccinated. Updated January 2022 Students returning to campus Spring 2022 are required to be vaccinated to register for in-person and hybrid classes AND are required to get a booster when they become eligible for one. Those 18 and older are eligible for booster shot at 5 months after the completion of two dose regimen of Pfiszer, 5 months after the completion of two dose regimen of Moderna or 2 months after the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) shot. (Those 12-17 year olds who initially received the Pfizer two dose regimen are eligible for a Pfizer booster 5 months after completing the regimen.) The Pfizer or Moderna booster is preferred in most situations. Student participation in on-campus activities will require proof of vaccination and booster unless a religious or medical exemption has been approved. All faculty are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (two dose Pfizer or Moderna regimen, or 1 dose J&J) unless a religious or medical exemption has been approved. Updated November 2021 Beginning on October 7, students without proof of vaccination will not be allowed access to campus, unless they have been granted an exemption. Other stakeholders on campus who are not fully vaccinated or who do not disclose their vaccination status will continue to be required to submit a weekly COVID-19 negative surveillance test and adhere to additional requirements aimed at keeping the Hostos community safe. Regular testing will not be required for those who are fully vaccinated.

 

Beginning August 2021, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be required to enter all CUNY campuses. CUNY will stop use of daily health screenings, following CDC guidance.

Updated 09/21: Students who plan to return to campus in the fall are required to be vaccinated. Student participation in on-campus activities will require proof of vaccination. Only medical or religious exemptions will be accepted.

When proof of vaccination or COVID-19 testing are in effect as pre-visit/entrance protocols:

• Every person who wishes to enter the campus must show or submit proof that they are fully vaccinated or have had a recent negative COVID-19 test. This requirement (beginning no later than August 25, 2021, and following CUNY protocol) may replace or be implemented in addition to completing a health screening and temperature check.
  • Updated 09/21:All CUNY students must be fully vaccinated to attend in-person or hybrid classes or to come on campus in Fall 2021, as per CUNY guidelines.
    • Exceptions may be made for religious and medical exemptions, as required by law. All student requests must be submitted through a declination form to the campus Location Vaccine Authority (LVA) and are subject to review and approval.
  • Updated 09/21: Faculty and staff who do not show/submit proof they are fully vaccinated will be required to provide proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test, as described under Part 2, Section III.A. Screening > Testing.
• All students, faculty, staff, and visitors coming to campus may be required to utilize the New York State Excelsior Passto confirm proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative result from a recent COVID-19 test. Individuals who do not or cannot use the Excelsior Pass (such as those vaccinated outside of New York State) will be asked to confirm proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test result using other means.
• Faculty, staff, and students who have tested positive for COVID-19 will not be required to test for 90 days. They will resume the required COVID-19 testing frequency after that period and must share proof of a negative test within that time period or note from a medical doctor.
• New 09/21: Visitors who are on campus for 30 minutes or less per visit do not have to comply with any COVID-19 vaccination or surveillance testing requirements applicable to CUNY staff unless the visitor expects during that time to be less than 6 feet distant of another person for a total of 15 minutes of more.
• New 09/21: Visitors under the age of 12 do not have to comply with any COVID-19 vaccination or surveillance testing requirements unless they are enrolled in programs, but are subject to mask requirements. See Attachment H: Screening Plan for a chart that provides further detail.

Testing (Updated 01/22)

Updated 01/23: CUNY is expanding testing for the safety and convenience of the CUNY community, creating a robust testing program using various testing models, some new and some expansions of existing efforts.

• Updated 01/2023:
  o CUNY will no longer require a proof of vaccine or recent negative test for visitors.
  o Overall random testing will move from 10% of the on-campus population to 5%.
  o CUNY will no longer require gateway testing for athletes.
• New 01/22: Student athletes will be required to submit a negative test before returning to campus.
• Updated 01/22: Weekly testing will continue for those who are unvaccinated and expand to cover student athletes regardless of vaccination status.
• Updated 01/22: Overall random testing will increase to 20% of the vaccinated and unvaccinated on-campus population. Participation in the random surveillance testing is mandatory and failure to participate will result in the removal of the individual’s Cleared4 access pass to CUNY spaces.
• New 11/21: CUNY, through its vendor, Applied DNA, has implemented surveillance testing so that individuals who are not fully vaccinated or who do not disclose their vaccination status must obtain a negative COVID-19 test within 7 days of entering a CUNY facility. Surveillance testing is intended to identify infected people who are asymptomatic. Surveillance helps to identify unknown cases so that measures can be taken to prevent further transmission.
• New 11/21: Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to submit weekly tests.
• New 11/21: CUNY’s testing program will include periodic screening of a random sampling of vaccinated individuals to help monitor and contain the spread of COVID-19 across the University. The frequency of such testing will depend upon the coronavirus positivity rate and the prevalence of variants among other factors.
• New 11/21: For more information about CUNY’s COVID-19 testing program, please see the Testing FAQ. For a list of test locations, visit here. For general frequently asked questions, please refer to the Getting Back to Working in Person FAQ. If you still have questions, please contact the Hostos HR Office.
• Any individual visiting the College who does not share proof of vaccination will be presumed unvaccinated. Those individuals must show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than seven (7) days prior to the campus visit. This includes:
  • Students not taking in-person classes (and not subject to the vaccination requirement) who need access to a campus area or office and do not share proof that they are vaccinated.
  • Faculty, staff, and visitors who do not share proof that they are vaccinated.
• Anyone who arrives at the campus without a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination will be denied entry and informed of the testing requirement.
• Testing protocol is subject to guidance from CUNY Central Office.
  • Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people who are subject to required COVID-19 testing may undergo regular, weekly testing (referred to in public health as “screening testing”) as determined by CUNY.
  • The College reserves the right to mandate random coronavirus testing for all individuals regularly on campus, whether vaccinated or not (referred to in public health as “surveillance testing”). The frequency of such testing will depend upon the COVID-19 positivity rate, among other factors.
• Details about testing guidelines and available COVID-19 testing, such as CUNY-provided testing or priority testing sites for CUNY community members, will be communicated to the college community through the website and/or other channels as needed.
• Students, employees, and staff who may not be tested under current/active CUNY protocols are encouraged to utilize New York City’s free COVID-19 testing centers. For more information, see the NYC.gov COVID-19 Testing page.

Through the New York State Contact Tracing Program, inform those who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home or in their living quarters and self-monitor for symptoms, and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop. Vaccinated individuals wear a mask for 10 days and test on day 5 after exposure and receive a negative result.

• Through the New York State Contact Tracing Program, contact will be made with the individual to identify all members of the community who were in close contact with the individual. The NYS Department of Health considers a close contact to be someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 10 minutes starting from 48 hours before illness onset until the time the person was isolated. (see: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/06/doh_covid19_publicprivateemploy eereturntowork_053120.pdf).
• Through the New York State Contact Tracing Program, outreach to all close contacts will be made; unvaccinated individuals will be notified that they are required to self-quarantine.

Tracing & Tracking (Updated 11/21)

• The College will establish close contacts with local health Departments and establish a relationship with healthcare systems in the area for treating students and community members.
• In the case of an individual testing positive, the College must develop plans with local health Departments to trace all contacts of the individual in accordance with protocols, training, and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program. Confidentiality must be maintained as required by federal and state law and regulations. The College will cooperate with state and local health department contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine efforts.
• If someone believes they may have COVID-19, are sick and being tested for COVID-19, or have tested positive for COVID-19, the following actions will take place:
  • Individuals who believe they may have COVID-19 and are awaiting test results or have positive test results must notify the Coronavirus Campus Liaison or their designee.
  • If an individual tests positive for COVID-19, the Campus Liaison will immediately notify the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator. The Campus Coordinator will ensure that the State and local health Departments are immediately notified about the case and will also notify the CUNY SVC for Institutional Affairs and Chancellery/COO’s Office.
  • Through the New York State Contact Tracing Program, contact will be made with the individual to identify all members of the community who were in close contact during the time that the individual would have been contagious. Outreach will occur to notify close contacts that they are required to self-quarantine. The NYS Department of Health considers a close contact to be someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 10 minutes starting from 48 hours before illness onset until the time the person was isolated. (See NYSDOH guidance for employees returning to work.)
  • The College will ensure that reporting plans are in place for individuals who are alerted that they have come into close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19, and have been alerted to such exposure via tracing, tracking or other mechanism. CDC-issued guidance on how to manage reporting will be followed.
  • State and local health Departments will implement monitoring and movement restrictions of infected or exposed persons including home isolation or quarantine.
  • If feasible, the College may partner with local health Departments to train staff and students to undertake contact tracing efforts for on-campus populations.
• The College will refer to NYSDOH’s Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure regarding protocols and policies for employees seeking to return to work or class after a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or after the individuals have had close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19.
  • Updated 09/21: Hostos continues to require that unvaccinated individuals enter quarantine in the event of possible exposure. Fully  vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine after exposure, but will not be allowed on campus until after receiving a negative test. Isolation is required for all individuals when diagnosed with COVID-19.
    • A fully vaccinated person who (i) has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and (ii) shows no symptoms of COVID-19, should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure AND not report to in-person work or  class until they receive a negative test result or medical clearance to return.
    • An unvaccinated person who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19, regardless of whether  they have symptoms or not, should quarantine for 10 days.
    • In general, an individual should isolate for at least 10 days after a positive test. Isolation should be longer if symptoms are present - at least 24 hours after no fever without fever-reducing medication and all symptoms  are improving.
  • If an employee must quarantine according to CUNY requirements, they can return to work after 10 days with a negative test result or, if a negative result cannot be achieved, then appropriate medical clearance to return to work. This documentation must be dated no earlier than 3 days prior to the anticipated return to work date. This requirement applies to all quarantines currently in effect, including symptoms, positive test, exposure, and travel (both domestic and international).
• Updated 09/21: In addition to protocols for communicating with students, faculty, staff, or others who have come into close/sustained contact with confirmed cases, the College may establish protocols for communicating directly and immediately with the campus community regarding cases and how the campus responded, as approved by CUNY Central Office.

Isolation and Quarantine (New 01/2022)

Isolation and Quarantine

• You quarantine when you might have been exposed to the virus.
• You isolate when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms.

NEW 01/22: Based on the evolving nature of COVID, CDC has revised their guidance on isolation and quarantine.

Isolation Guidelines if You Test Positive for COVID-19

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status:

If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19

Population:	What to do:
If you have received a booster, OR Completed the primary series of Pfizer vaccine within the last 5 months or Moderna vaccine within the last 5 months, OR Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months OR Tested positive for COVID-19 with a viral test within the previous 90 days and subsequently recovered and remain without COVID-19 symptoms	Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days. Get tested at least 5 days after your close contact (the date of your exposure is considered day 0); if you test positive, stay home and isolate per guidelines above. If you develop symptoms, get a test, stay home and follow the isolation guidelines above.
For those who have completed the primary series of Pfizer vaccine over 5 months ago or Moderna vaccine over 5 months ago and are not boosted, OR Completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted, OR Are unvaccinated	Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others for 5 additional days. If you cannot wear a mask for the additional 5 days, continue to quarantine for those 5 days. If you are unable to stay at home you must wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days Get tested at least 5 days after your close contact; if you test positive, stay home and isolate per the guidelines above. If you develop symptoms, get a test, stay home and follow the isolation guidelines above. Do not travel during the quarantine period.

 

Hostos will continue to require that unvaccinated individuals enter quarantine in the event of possible exposure. Fully vaccinated individuals will be required to get tested 3-5 days after the exposure and will not be allowed on campus until after receiving a negative test result. Isolation is required for all individuals when diagnosed with COVID-19.

• A fully vaccinated person who (i) has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and (ii) shows no symptoms of COVID-19, should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure AND not report to in-person work or class until they receive a negative test result or medical clearance to return.
• An unvaccinated person who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not, should quarantine for 10 days.
• Quarantine is not necessary for someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, recovered and remains without symptoms after exposure. This person will be required to provide appropriate medical clearance to return to work at any CUNY location.
• In general, an individual should isolate for 10 days after a positive test. Isolation should be longer if symptoms are present – at least 24 hours after no fever without fever-reducing medication and all symptoms are improving.

Students, faculty and staff are not to come to school or work if they:

• Are currently experiencing or recently experienced (in the last 48 hours) any new or worsening COVID-19 symptoms.
• Are unvaccinated and have recently (in the last 10 days) been in close contact within 6 feet for at least 10 minutes over a 24-hour period) with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or is suspected to have COVID-19 based on symptoms.
• Tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 in the past 10 days.
• Recently traveled domestically or internationally and are unvaccinated. All individuals should follow the CDC domestic travel recommendations and international travel recommendations before reporting to work or campus and notify their manager in advance of the travel dates and should quarantine be required.
• Employees can return to work after 10 days with a negative test result or, if a negative test result cannot be achieved, then appropriate medical clearance to return. This documentation must be dated no earlier than 3 days prior to the anticipated return to work date. This requirement applies to all quarantines including symptoms, positive test and exposure.

Isolate and Transport Those Who are Sick

• The College will immediately separate faculty, staff, and students with symptoms of COVID-19 (such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath). Individuals who are sick must go home or to a healthcare facility, depending on how severe their symptoms are, and follow CDC Guidance on What to Do If You Are Sick.
• The College has the ability to isolate any individual anywhere on campus when necessary.
  • The person will be asked to stay where they are and wait for someone to respond. Portable toilets, cots, and an isolation kit for the door have been acquired to facilitate this.
  • The space will be labeled with “Restricted Area” or “Authorized Personnel Only” signs once designated as a temporary waiting room. General signs will be used to protect the privacy of that person.
• If necessary, the College will call an ambulance or may otherwise transport an individual to the hospital.
  • An individual being isolated will be held in the designated location until first responders (e.g., paramedics/EMTs or an ambulatory service) arrive to transport them to a medical facility.
  • College personnel will alert first responders or medical personnel that the person may have COVID-19.
• When feasible, the room will remain closed for a minimum of 24 hours prior to cleaning and disinfection (see Section II B: Hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfection for details).
• Employees required to quarantine can return to work after 10 days with a negative test result or, if a negative result cannot be achieved, then appropriate medical clearance to return to work. This documentation must be dated no earlier than 3 days prior to the anticipated return to work date. This requirement applies to all quarantines currently in effect, including symptoms, positive test, exposure, and travel (both domestic and international).

Notify Health Officials and Close Contacts

• The Campus Coordinator will ensure that the State and local health Departments are immediately notified about the case, and will also notify the CUNY SVC for Institutional Affairs, Campus Reopening Committee, and Chancellery/COO’s Office.
• In accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, the Coronavirus Campus Liaison will immediately notify the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator and CUNY SVC for Institutional Affairs if an individual tests positive for COVID-19. The Campus Coordinator must ensure that the State and local health Departments are immediately notified about the case, in addition to the Chancellery/COO’s Office.
• Through the New York State Contact Tracing Program, the College will inform those who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home, self-monitor for symptoms, and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
• The Campus Liaison will work with the Campus Reopening Committee and the Chancellery/COO’s Office to prepare communications to notify, faculty, staff, and students immediately of any case of COVID-19 on campus while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), FERPA, and other applicable laws and regulations.
  • If someone in the campus community informs the College that they tested positive for COVID-19, the College must report the case to the State health department and other agencies, regardless of whether that person has not been on site.
  • Updated 09/21: In addition to contact tracing efforts and depending on CUNY protocols, the College may communicate to the Campus Reopening Committee and campus at large on instances where someone who tests positive for COVID-19 has been on campus.
    • NEW 09/21: As of August 25, 2021, CUNY publishes safety metrics through its COVID-19 Safety Tracker. Results are listed by campus/facility and include data from its testing pool (including unvaccinated faculty, staff, and students coming on campus) and self-reported positive cases (results from outside of the University’s program/sites). Note that confirmed cases on campus are no longer broadcast through Collegewide emails.
    • Updated 09/21: If the New York State School COVID Report Card is in use, cases where the individual was not on campus are not communicated but will appear on the College’s COVID-19 Report Card page. (Note: As of August 2021, this dashboard is no longer updated by New York State.)
• The Coronavirus Campus Liaison will provide information on the health of the campus community to the CUNY SVC for Institutional Affairs and Campus Reopening Committee, which can then prepare communications as needed. The Campus Reopening Committee will be responsible for answering questions from students and faculty regarding the COVID- 19 health emergency and plans put forward by the institution.
  • The Campus Reopening Committee will work closely with the Chancellery/COO’s Office to monitor health conditions and jointly develop monitoring strategies.
  • The Campus Reopening Committee will also work closely with the Chancellery/COO’s Office to coordinate with local health Departments, as needed, and other higher education institutions.

Enhanced Cleaning

• Once the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator determines that a campus occupant has tested positive for COVID-19, the Campus Coordinator should identify the timeframe for tracing the occupant’s behavior. The College will assume that the positive occupant may have been communicable 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms and that occupied areas may be tainted up to seven days after the positive occupant was present in them.
• The College must trace the areas where the positive occupant was present, when communicable, and, in consultation with the Chancellery/COO’s Office, as well as college facilities, public safety, and affected Departments, develop a disinfection plan. Staff will close off affected areas, open windows where possible, and wait at least 24 hours after the positive occupant was present before beginning cleaning and disinfection. Staff will follow enhanced cleaning for prevention guidance outlined above and wear full PPE. If an outside contractor is used for cleaning instead, the College will obtain in writing the following information: scope of work, cleaning methods, products used and associated product safety data sheets, and reoccupancy guidance.
• The College will communicate the scope of enhanced cleaning and disinfection with facilities, public safety, and affected Departments, including subsequent restrictions on accessing areas and applicable signage. The College will also determine campus community notification.

• The College’s plan reflects engagement with campus stakeholders. In accordance with the minimum requirements in the CUNY Reopening Guidelines, this plan covers: 1. reopening of the campus; 2. monitoring of health conditions; 3. containment of potential transmission of the virus; and 4. shut down of in-person operations on the campus, if necessitated by widespread COVID-19 transmission.
  • The College will submit the campus plan (and required revisions) to the Chancellery/COO’s Office. The Chancellery/COO’s Office will directly contact the College regarding approval of the submitted plan.
  • The College will conspicuously post completed campus reopening plans for employees and students to access.
• Per the New York State Reopening Guidelines for Higher Education, the College has submitted an affirmation that the higher education guidelines have been read and are understood.
  • See Attachment J: Affirmation for a copy of the submitted affirmation form.
  • The NYS Guidance, while embodied in this plan, can be found at: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/Higher_Education_Detailed_Guidelines.pdf
• Additional safety information, guidelines, and resources available from the below sources will be reviewed for up-to-date information:
  • CUNY Coronavirus Information: https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/
  • NYC Department of Health COVID-19 page https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-main.page
  • NYSDOH Novel Coronavirus website: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/
  • NY Forward Industry Guidance – Higher Education: https://forward.ny.gov/education-child-care-camps-industry-guidance#higher-education
  • CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19) website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
  • OSHA COVID-19 website: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/
  • American College Health Association website: http://www.acha.org