MACC has developed the following guidelines based on the most recent updates the Centers for Disease Control has made regarding the mitigation of spreading COVID-19 and steps to take to maintain workplace and school safety. The CDC’s evidence supports using a symptoms-based strategy for determining the need for isolation and when it is safe for someone who has been ill or has been exposed, or has been vaccinated to return to school or work.

MACC has adopted the following procedures to address COVID-19.

Students or Employees who are sick

If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms* consistent with COVID-19 infection, you might have COVID-19. If you are sick, and exhibiting these symptoms (regardless of vaccination status), follow the steps below to care for yourself and to protect other people:

• Stay Home (except to get medical care)
• Take Care of Yourself
• Stay in touch with your doctor

*Symptoms consistent with COVID-19 include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

Students or Employees who test positive for COVID-19

Students who test positive for COVID-19 should report the positive test through the COVID-19 link in myMACC. Employees who test positive should report that to their supervisor.

Students and employees with COVID-19, who have symptoms, and have been directed to care for themselves at home may discontinue isolation and return to school or work under the following conditions:

• At least 10 days have passed since symptom onset AND
• At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications AND
• Other symptoms have improved.

Students and employees who test positive but do not develop symptoms of COVID-19 may discontinue isolation and other precautions 10 days after the date of their first positive test for COVID-19.

Students or Employees who think they may have COVID-19

Students or employees who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (see above), but have not been tested or have not received test results, or who have been tested for any reason should stay home and not come to campus.

Students and employees who are ill can return to campus and be around others when:

• At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared AND
• At least 24 hours have passed with no fever without fever reducing medication AND
• Other symptoms have improved.

Sick Students

Students who are sick with mild symptoms (whether they have been tested for COVID-19 or not) or who have tested positive and are asymptomatic should continue participating in virtual classes (via Zoom). If they are enrolled in a class or program which is still meeting face-to-face they should stop attending and immediately contact their instructor to discuss their situation to determine the likelihood that the student can successfully complete the course considering the above return to campus guidelines. Students who are sick can virtually access tutoring, advising, financial aid, test proctoring, and other campus services. Under no circumstances should a student who is sick come to an MACC campus until the guidelines for returning to campus have been met.

Students with more severe illness should contact their instructor(s) at the earliest possible opportunity. Extended illness which results in a student not being able to complete a class will be considered grounds for requesting a medical withdrawal and refund of tuition/tuition credit.

Sick Employees

Employees who are sick with mild symptoms (whether they have been tested for COVID-19 or not) or who have tested positive and are asymptomatic should not come to work. If they are able to effectively accomplish their work responsibilities in a remote fashion they should work with their supervisor to complete a Remote Work Form and submit it to the President’s office for approval.

Normal leave policies are in effect for employees who cannot work remotely or who experience more severe illness and are unable to work..

Quarantined due to known or suspected exposure to COVID-19

If a student or employee has a known exposure (less than 6 feet distance for more than 15 minutes) to a person with COVID-19 symptoms or a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, they should take the following precautions:

• Stay home until 10 days after the last exposure Maintain social distance (at least 6 feet) from others at all times
• Quarantine period can be reduced to 7 days if a negative COVID-19 test result is obtained from a test administered on day 5, or later, of the quarantine period
• Monitor for the development of symptoms
• Avoid contact with people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19

Other Circumstances

Employees with underlying health conditions which may put them at higher risk of serious illness if infected with COVID-19, have family members who may be at high risk, must care for an ill family member, or are medically excluded from receiving the vaccine should contact their supervisor to determine appropriate actions.

Employees who are not experiencing symptoms, but have sought COVID-19 testing, should contact their supervisor to discuss appropriate actions to take prior to receiving test results.

Guidance for those who have been fully vaccinated

People are generally considered to be fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer and Moderna vaccines), or 2 weeks after receiving a single dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine). If a person meets these requirements the following apply to them:

• Fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or practice distancing in any setting
• If they’ve been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, they do not need to stay away from others and be quarantined (unless they are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection)
• They should still watch out for symptoms of COVID-19. If they are experiencing any of those symptoms they should stay home and away from others and get tested for the virus.

MACC strongly encourages employees and students to get vaccinated as soon as possible. However, we will not generally require all employees and students to be vaccinated at this time. However, all students living in MACC residence halls will be required to be fully vaccinated before the start of the Fall 2021 semester.