COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are increasing across the U.S., as well as in Massachusetts, largely related to spread of the new Delta variant in unvaccinated individuals. Due to concerns related to vaccine breakthrough cases, CDC has revised its guidelines and recommends that fully vaccinated people wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission. Beginning today, UMass Medical School is updating its masking guidelines so that all UMMS and UMMH employees and UMMS students, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear masks inside NON-CLINICAL campus spaces. Masks may be removed if an individual is alone in an office with a closed door or removed briefly while eating. There is no change to distancing recommendations in non-clinical areas. All personnel inside CLINICAL buildings (even those in which only a portion of the space is clinical) must still follow the Massachusetts DPH guidelines related to masking and distancing as articulated by UMass Memorial Medical Center.
Non-clinical spaces include:
- Lazare Research Building
- Albert Sherman Center lab tower (floors 4-9) and the auditorium
- Biotech 2
- Shaw Building
- Power Plant
- South Street
- Maple Ave.
- Learning Communities
- Student Lounge
- Fitness Center
Clinical spaces include:
- University hospital, including Lakeside and Benedict
- Ambulatory Care Center
- the Medical School building (Clinical, Basic, Student and Clip-on wings)
- iCELS
- First floor of the Albert Sherman Center (cafeteria and multipurpose room)
- Biotech 1
- Biotech 3
- Biotech 4
COVID-19 Testing
All non-clinical employees working on-site will be required to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing if they come to work one day per week. This is a change from our previous policy. All surveillance tests must be completed at a UMMS surveillance testing site. Clinical employees (residents, dually employed physicians and nurses) are encouraged to test weekly.
- You may schedule your test at the UMMS surveillance testing site at the University Campus Faculty Conference Room, Memorial or Hahnemann Hospitals using this link.
- UMass Infection Control will regularly update managers of employees who do not meet the testing expectations.
- If you engage in out of state travel (domestic or international), regardless of vaccination status, you must complete a UMMS Travel Form and follow all guidance found in the UMMS Travel Policy.
- Individuals who are exposed to COVID-19 and are asymptomatic should be tested 3 to 5 days following exposure, regardless of vaccination status. Employees should contact Employee Health Services at (508) 793-6400 for known exposures.
- Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (including, but not limited to, cough, trouble breathing, fever, chills with/without shaking, muscle pain, headache, nasal congestion/sneezing, sore throat, diarrhea or a new loss of taste or smell), should not come to campus and immediately call EHS at (508) 793-6400 or Student Health Services at (508) 334-2818.
- Questions regarding testing should be directed to Theresa Kane (Theresa.Kane@umassmed.edu).
Proof of vaccination
If you have already uploaded your proof of vaccination, thank you! No further action is required at this time.
If you have not already provided vaccination documentation and obtained a green sticker, all on-site vaccinated UMMS faculty and employees must do so by August 12, 2021. Students should follow the guidelines sent to them by school leaders and residents should follow instructions from the Office of GME.
Please complete the following steps at your soonest convenience.
- Log into ServiceNow using either the mobile app or web browser and follow the steps to upload images of the front and back of your CDC vaccination record.
- If you are unable to access ServiceNow you may take your CDC vaccination record to the Faculty Conference Room on University Campus where staff will assist you in uploading images to ServiceNow. Alternatively, you may e-mail an image of the front and back of your vaccine card to theresa.kane@umassmed.edu
- Once your vaccination record has been uploaded and you are fully vaccinated, you must receive a green sticker as proof of vaccination. The green sticker should be placed on your school ID and may be picked up in the Faculty Conference Room. The green sticker indicates to those around you that you are vaccinated and can be obtained 14 days after you receive your final dose of vaccine. It must be visible on your ID no later than August 12, 2021.
