COVID Update 2024

HEALTH AND SAFETY

EMCC’s public health protocols are subject to change as the COVID-19 situation in Maine continues to evolve and as advised by President Russell and/or the Maine Community College System.

At this time, indoor masking is recommended but not required, based on the latest CDC guidance. However, those individuals who are returning from isolation status or have been exposed to a positive case must continue to follow CDC masking guidelines as described below.

Due to the higher transmissibility of the Omicron variant, all students, including those who are fully vaccinated, should have a plan for isolation housing off-campus. Isolation housing on campus is reserved for those residential students who are fully vaccinated and are unable to travel home due to distance.

Please note that decisions relating to EMCC’s health and safety protocols are dependent on caseloads in the state and are developed in consultation with the Maine Community College System, the Maine CDC and our medical advisors. Masking requirements are subject to change and may evolve rapidly over time.

Updated Maine CDC Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines

CDC.gov Updated Information

Student Vaccine Protocol

The Maine Community College System (MCCS) strongly encourages students to stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, but they are not required.

There is one exception: MCCS students in some programs may require vaccination against COVID-19 due to requirements at third-party locations, such as student placement sites.

Details on the MCCS COVID protocols are available online at www.mccs.me.edu/covid-19.

If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate)

Please complete POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST REPORTING FORM or email vax@emcc.edu

You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:

Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status:

- When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.
  - Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
  - If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.
    
    Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren’t better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.
If you never had symptoms but tested positive for a respiratory virus‎

You may be contagious. For the next 5 days: take added precaution, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors. This is especially important to protect people with factors that increase their risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting

HEERF STUDENT FUNDS

HEERF INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS

Please contact finaid@emccc.edu or businessoffice@emcc.edu with any questions.

FAQs

Will I have to be tested for COVID-19?

Any student who experiences symptoms should test at home or at a local health center

Will we have to wear masks indoors?

In response to updated mask guidance from the CDC, indoor masking is recommended but not required at this time, with the exception of those who are returning from isolation or have been exposed to a positive case. This is subject to change at anytime, and we will update you should the policy change based on current conditions.

What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID, even if I’m vaccinated?

If you are on campus during the week, please contact your physician or Penobscot Community Health Care’s (PCHC) Brewer Medical Center, 989-1567. PCHC services are free of charge to all Eastern Maine Community College students who bring their Student ID to PCHC. Students do not have to make an appointment. If you are a campus resident, we have rapid tests available through Security. Please request that they leave a test outside your room door so you do not come in contact until you have your test results. If you are away from campus, please visit a local urgent care facility or pick up a rapid test at a local drug store. Please complete POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST REPORTING FORM or email vax@emcc.edu if your test is positive

You may want to have a few at-home antigen test kits with you.

Will we be able to have non-EMCC guests in the residence hall?

EMCC allows overnight guests to visit the residence halls in accordance with the guest policies listed in our Residence Life Handbook (https://www.emcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/EMCC-Residential-Life-Handbook-2022-2023.pdf). All residents are expected to follow the guest sign-in procedure explained in the Residence Life Handbook and can contact our Director of Student Engagement and Residence Life, Kris Kelley, at life@emcc.edu with any questions.