01/14/2022
By Steve O'Riordan
Recent news stories have provided optimism that the current wave of COVID-19 cases is nearing its peak and will soon begin to recede. I want to reiterate the existing and new measures in place to reduce the risk of the spread of the disease on campus.
Test before returning to campus
If you are returning to the campus for the first time since the winter break, we strongly encourage you to take an antigen or PCR test, although we recognize availability is currently low.
While cases among university community members are likely to increase in the next few weeks, it is also true that with near-universal vaccinations, increasing numbers of booster shots and an Omicron variant less likely to cause severe disease, our campus population continues to be very well protected.
Booster shots required, when eligible
To ensure this primary line of defense against community spread stays as strong as possible, UMass Lowell announced before the winter break that it is requiring a booster shot once you are eligible to receive it. You can visit the Massachusetts VaxFinder to find and schedule a booster appointment.
Indoor face covering mandate, symptom self-checks
The university’s indoor face covering mandate remains in place, as does the expectation that each campus community member will conduct daily self-checks for symptoms and stay home if ill.
Updated close contact guidance
Following new guidance from federal and state public health officials, UMass Lowell has updated its close contact procedure. If you are vaccinated and learn you are a close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you can continue to come to work or class as long as you have no symptoms. You should test yourself five days after you had the close contact or first developed symptoms.
If you do have symptoms or test positive, do not come to campus.
• Residential students reporting a positive COVID-19 test will need to delay their Spring 2022 semester move-in for FIVE days after the date of their positive test, with the earliest return possible on day six after your test.
• Please contact UML Health Services’ symptom reporting line at 978-934-COV2 (2682) or email Student_SymptomReporting@uml.edu, and a member of the Health Services staff will contact you during regular business hours to help you plan a safe return to campus.
If you have a vaccine exemption
If you have not been vaccinated and been exposed, please do not come to campus and contact your primary care provider to arrange to be tested. If you are identified as a close contact, you will be directed to quarantine by local public health officials. Do not return to campus until you are cleared to do so or have received a negative test at least five days after exposure.
Limited number of rapid tests available from UML
UMass Lowell has ordered a limited supply of antigen tests and is working to distribute them to commuter students who need them due to an inability to find these items or due to financial hardship. A single antigen test can be requested via this website. Resident students are asked to contact the Wellness Center if you are a close contact to someone who has tested positive.
Additional details, including isolation protocols and answers to frequently asked questions, are available on the university’s COVID-19 website.
I recognize that most of this information reflects our on-campus reality throughout the pandemic. But with a rapid drop in cases likely in the weeks ahead, it is more important than ever that we follow these public health measures to do our part as we move forward with the core academic mission of the university.