Last Updated on August 4, 2021 7:23 pm
Appalachian State has announced that face coverings are required in all indoor campus locations for students, faculty, staff, and visitors regardless of vaccination status.
That requirement is now due to cases in Watauga County rising, and Watauga County moving to the category of “substantial” transmission rates, according to the University.
As of a Wednesday, August 4th report here on WataugaOnline.com, Watauga County had 43 active cases and 30 individuals actively being monitored. That's up from 22 active cases on Friday and just 7 cases on Friday, July 16th.
The announcement by App State also says that students, faculty, and staff who have not uploaded vaccine status will be required to participate in randomized COVID-19 testing throughout the year.
Face coverings will not be required if:
- You are alone in a private, enclosed residence hall room, apartment or office.
- You are in an enclosed indoor space when only household members are present.
- You are actively eating or drinking.
All students, faculty and staff should upload their vaccine status as soon as possible. The deadline for doing so is Aug. 16:
- Students, upload your vaccine status via your MedPortal account.
- Faculty/staff attest your vaccine status via this secure COVID-19 Vaccine Attestation form.
- If you become fully vaccinated after Aug. 16, please upload your vaccine status to exempt yourself from COVID-19 testing.
The university also stated it will adjust COVID-19 safety protocols, procedure and policy according to the latest federal, state, local and UNC System guidance.
Following CDC guidance, App State will use county-based community spread data to determine when requirements can be lessened or lifted. Current CDC guidance recommends face coverings for everyone in areas of “substantial” or “high” rates of transmission.
The university will continue wastewater testing in residence halls, as well as a voluntary surveillance testing program with student, faculty and staff participants to broadly monitor COVID-19 presence and spread on campus and to help with COVID-19 early detection and rapid response.
COVID-19 Testing
Beginning Monday, Aug. 16:
- Residents living in university-owned housing who have not provided proof of vaccination will be required to participate in weekly surveillance testing on campus.
- Students who have any on-campus classes and/or campus activities who have not provided proof of vaccination will be required to participate in randomized surveillance testing on campus. Additional information will be shared soon.
- Employees who have not attested they are vaccinated against COVID-19 will be required to participate in randomized surveillance testing on campus. Additional information will be shared soon.
- If you become fully vaccinated after Aug. 16, please upload your vaccine status to exempt yourself from COVID-19 testing.
- App State will continue wastewater testing in residence halls, as well as a voluntary surveillance testing program with student, faculty and staff participants to broadly monitor COVID-19 presence and spread on campus and to help with COVID-19 early detection and rapid response.
If you get tested and the results are positive, self-isolate, do not come to campus and self-report illness/exposure here. The university will conduct contact tracing and follow you for symptoms.
