Saint Leo University issues COVID-19 guidelines update
The Saint Leo University COVID-19 Incident Command Team continues to closely monitor trends and medical guidance from health experts concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently the team reviewed new guidance regarding quarantine and isolation periods from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and re-evaluated some of its prevention guidance in response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases.
As a result, the university has issued an updated Stage 4 Framework for Protecting the Pride guide to reflect new recommendations, which will be in effect until January 21. At that time, transmissions rates and other available information will be reviewed to determine appropriate next steps. A summary of these changes is provided below:
The university will continue to hold in-person classes for the Spring Semester and will require that masks be worn while in the classroom, regardless of vaccination status. Students, faculty, and staff should continue to monitor their health and refrain from being around others or coming to a university location if they have COVID-19 symptoms.
Managers are encouraged to consider areas where remote work is feasible. Requests for temporary approval to work remotely through January 21 should be submitted through the divisional vice president to the COVID-19 ICT Leadership by email to covid19commandteam@saintleo.edu. Requests will be reviewed and decisions communicated to the vice president and HR business partner.
All members of the University community are strongly encouraged to pursue vaccination and booster as they have proven success in reducing the severity of illness and are a critical part of reaching the end of this pandemic. The university will continue to monitor the guidance of professional health organizations and may issue a new update should conditions change. Please check your university email and the Saint Leo website regularly for additional updates.
Saint Leo prepares to implement Federal COVID-19 requirements
Key Takeaways
As you may recall, last September, President Biden announced a national COVID-19 plan, called Path out of the Pandemic. It is a six-pronged plan outlining several action items that individuals and large private and public businesses would need to take, with the goal of speeding up our nation’s recovery from the pandemic.
One part of the plan mandates that large employers (with 100 or more employees) require their employees either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive weekly COVID-19 testing. Last week, guidelines for implementing this requirement were rolled out by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requiring compliance by January 4, 2022.
While it is possible that this requirement may face legal challenges in the coming days, the university is preparing to implement the guidance from OSHA by the deadline in order to avoid the possibility of significant financial penalties. By or before December 5, Saint Leo University employees can expect to receive information about the policies and procedures for implementing the requirement at the university. Until then, employees who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination card to Human Resources at HR@saintleo.edu.
Additional information about the Path of the Pandemic plan can be found at whitehouse.gov/covidplan.
Saint Leo University issues update to COVID-19 guidelines
Saint Leo University has been closely monitoring Florida Department of Health information on the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Pasco and Hillsborough counties. This information is helpful in understanding the risk for spreading COVID-19 within our community and for determining our prevention efforts.
Last week the positivity rate for COVID-19 cases in Pasco and Hillsborough counties fell below 5%, which triggered a review of our COVID restrictions.
Throughout the pandemic, Saint Leo University has based its prevention guidance on the latest health information and has made changes as new information becomes available. As a result of this new development, the university has released Stage 4 A Framework for Supporting the Pride. A summary of these changes is highlighted below. Not all changes are captured here. Please read the full Framework to understand the University’s current guidance.
What is changing?
What is staying the same?
While this news is a positive step in the right direction, it is important to continue to practice good hygiene habits and take care of your health. Faculty, staff, and students also are strongly encouraged to get a COVID-19 vaccine and register it with the university. Students should send their registration to health.center@saintleo.edu, and faculty and staff should send their registration to HR@saintleo.edu.
Students, faculty, and staff should continue to check their university email and the Protect the Pride website for updates and information related to COVID-19.
Saint Leo University is strongly encouraging faculty, staff, and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. See how our community is making process.
If a campus student in residence is experiencing symptoms of illness and is concerned about possible COVID-19 infection (fever over 100.4, other symptoms of illness), they are asked to immediately self-isolate and contact the Health Center in DeChantal Hall at (352) 588-8347. After hours, they can contact University Safety at (352) 588-8432 for the on-call nurse. Online and education center students, are asked to immediately self-isolate and contact your county health department or health care provider and notify your center director or advisor of your illness. Staff and faculty should do the same and also contact their supervisor and human resources business partner.
Learn about Saint Leo's reopening plans and hear messages from university leadership.
