Dear Members of the Fordham Community,
I am writing to notify you of significant changes to Fordham’s COVID-19 policies, effective Saturday, March 5. The University is making these changes in line with updated guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the State of New York Department of Health, and the New York City Department of Health.
Community COVID-19 Levels
The CDC has created a County Check site at which you can see the current COVID-19 levels in your community. All five New York City boroughs (including Manhattan and the Bronx) are in the “low” range.
Masks No Longer Required in Most Campus Locations
The CDC’s updated mask guidelines say that individuals may now “wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk.” Accordingly, at Fordham masks are recommended but not required in classrooms, labs, work settings, and public spaces for individuals fully up-to-date on vaccinations (meaning an individual has received a full series of COVID-19 vaccines, and a booster shot, if eligible). All individuals may wear masks in any setting if they choose to do so. Faculty may require masks in classrooms and laboratory settings, if they believe the particular circumstances warrant such measures.
- Unvaccinated individuals with an exemption must still wear masks.
- Masks remain mandatory on Ram Vans and in University Health Service locations (offices, and testing and vaccination sites).
Contact Tracing and Isolation
Contact tracing will continue as before. Isolation is still required for individuals who test positive for COVID-19. Individuals who are asymptomatic may leave isolation after day 5, if they have a negative rapid (antigen) test.
Spring Break Return to Campus Requirements
All students who need to enter campus will be required to submit COVID-19 test results no later than March 30 regardless of whether or not they traveled during the break. The test must be a FDA EUA authorized PCR saliva or nasal swab test, not an antigen or antibody test, and it must be performed no earlier than 3 days prior to their return to campus and no more than 5 days after. Students who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days do not need to have a new test. (Employees who have traveled out of state—aside from routine commuting—at any time are expected to submit COVID-19 PCR test results within 4 days of their return.)
On-Campus Events/Access to Campus
Only Fordham-sponsored events will be permitted on campus. These events will be open to spectators/guests (including family members, alumni and their families) who are fully up-to-date on vaccinations (meaning an individual has received a full series of COVID-19 vaccines, and a booster shot, if eligible). Likewise, any individual entering campus must show proof of full vaccination and booster (if eligible). Fordham campuses remain closed to the general public, with the exception of campus tours, providing guests meet the University’s vaccination requirements. There are no restrictions on eating and drinking at campus events.
General Health and Safety
- Vaccinations and Testing: The University offers on-campus testing and Pfizer and Moderna booster doses: you can schedule appointments for both on the COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Resources webpage. The records of individuals who are tested and/or vaccinated on campus are automatically updated in VitalCheck, as of March 15. (Individuals may upload test results to VitalCheck directly via the daily attestation page: see instructions here.)
- Vaccine and Booster Mandate: The University anticipates continuing the COVID-19 vaccination and booster mandate through the 2022-2023 academic year.
- VitalCheck: The University will continue to require all students, faculty, and staff to complete a daily check-in through VitalCheck.
- Building Safety: The University will continue enhanced ventilation in all buildings. As the weather warms, members of the campus community are advised to open windows in occupied spaces as much practicable.
- University Travel: Domestic and limited international travel is permitted in accordance with Fordham’s updated travel policy.
As always, Fordham’s COVID-19 policies are subject to change as health and safety conditions evolve in New York City and our local communities.
This communication is in lieu of the weekly Five Things email. Thank you, as always, for your cooperation in keeping our community safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Marco Valera
