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Coronavirus Campus Communication

Email from VCSU Safety Office 10/6/20

Oct 6, 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE: North Dakota updates quarantine guidance to provide exception for close contacts who were wearing masks

QUARANTINE EXCEPTION
On October 1, 2020, Governor Doug Burgum and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDOH) announced updated guidance for the quarantining of individuals who are identified as close contacts to COVID-19 positive individuals.

The guidance has been updated to reflect that in non-health care, non-residential settings, when the positive case and close contact have both been wearing a face covering consistently and correctly for the entire time, the close contact will not need to self-quarantine at home. This exemption does not apply to household contacts.

People, who because of mask use, are exempted from quarantine should:

  • Wear a mask while around others.
  • Watch for symptoms for 14 days and be tested if symptom(s) should occur.
  • Consider being tested 7-10 days after the last exposure.
  • Practice social distancing, including avoiding large crowds and gatherings.

HOW DOES THE QUARANTINE EXCEPTION AFFECT VCSU PROCEDURES?

VCSU will follow the updated guidance, and continue to require masks while on campus property and when participating in University-related travel, events and business (content no longer available).

If an individual is identified as COVID-positive or a close contact, the NDDOH will complete contact tracing and determine if any individuals fall under this new guidance, and therefore would not need to quarantine, but still monitor for symptoms.

*The definition of close contacts hasn’t changed and will continue to be defined as individuals who have been within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes during a 24-hour period. Close contacts who don’t meet the quarantine exception will still need to be quarantined for 14 days from their last exposure.

Also, people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 will still be required to isolate for at least 10 days, with absence of fever for at least 24 hours and improvement in symptoms.

WHERE CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?

For VCSU Information on Face Coverings…CLICK HERE (content no longer available).

For STUDENT Information…CLICK HERE (content no longer available).

For EMPLOYEE Information…CLICK HERE (content no longer available).

VCSU Safety Office

Email:
safety@vcsu.edu