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COVID-19 Information

Within this site, you'll find details on COVID safety protocols, testing, our visitor policy, and much more.

Our highest priority is the health and safety of our entire Wells College community. We have a shared responsibility to keep the Wells community healthy and safe.

On March 17, 2022, the designation of COVID-19 orders as an airborne infectious disease that presents a serious risk of harm to public health under the HERO Act became inactive. When these orders are inactive, Wells College will pay up to five (5) days of paid leave for employees (or a minor dependent) under mandatory or precautionary isolation within a rolling 12-month period. These five (5) days do not decrease any sick leave hours accrued by the employee. To receive this benefit, employees may be required to show proof of official medical orders to isolate or be prepared to provide photo evidence, including a form of time/date confirmation for at-home tests with positive COVID-19 results. Employees needing to care for a family member who has contracted COVID-19 may apply for regular New York Paid Family Leave (details in the New York Family Leave section below).

Note: Supervisors are not permitted to determine any excused leave of absence or determine appropriate use of employee accruals after an employee has isolated for five (5) days. Supervisors must contact the Wells College Human Resources department with any such inquiry, including whether an employee should return to work after they have completed the isolation protocol but are reporting that COVID-19-related symptoms have not subsided or the presence of additional COVID-19-related symptoms. Decisions based on these matters will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Department of Human Resources and in consultation with the College COVID-19 Coordinator, Community Medical Center, or other related resources specific to the nature of the circumstances of the case.

Infectious Disease Quarantine and New York Paid Family Leave:
In response to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in New York State in 2020, the Governor guaranteed workers job protection and financial compensation in the event they are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation issued by the state of New York, the Department of Health, local board of health, or any government entity duly authorized to issue such orders as detailed in the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (NY HERO Act). Wells College will comply with the government-required leave amounts while quarantine/isolation orders are in effect.

Wells College COVID-19 Protocol and Resources:

Wells College students, faculty, and staff are no longer required to be vaccinated for the virus that causes COVID-19. Additionally, new and current students, faculty, and staff will not be required to provide vaccination or immunization records related to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Vaccination and Immunization Information and Availability:
Vaccination is a proven and effective method to help reduce or mitigate the adverse health effects of COVID-19.

Wells College strongly encourages all students, faculty, and staff to become vaccinated and keep current with available and applicable vaccinations and boosters. Wells College students, faculty, and staff are no longer required to be vaccinated or provide vaccination records for the virus that causes COVID-19.

Click/tap here for the latest information on vaccinations from the Center for Disease Control

Continuing Resources and Protocols:
Wells College will continue past practices related to several important COVID-19 resources and protocols proven to support health and well-being on campus and in the community. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Providing free antigen COVID-19 test kits and KN95 masks.
  2. Continuing enhanced cleaning of campus facilities.
  3. Ongoing monitoring by the Wells College COVID-19 Response Team.
  4. Dedicating isolation spaces for on-campus students who test positive for COVID-19.

For additional information about Wells College COVID-19, please visit https://www.wells.edu/about/covid-19-info/

Free Antigen Test Kits and KN95 Masks:
Free antigen COVID-19 test kits and KN95 masks are located in Sommer Center. To schedule a time to have trained Wells College personnel administer an antigen COVID-19 test, please contact Richard Flanagan, COVID-19 Coordinator, at rflanagan@wells.edu or via telephone at 1-315-364-3229.

Masking:
We strongly recommend wearing a mask inside any of our campus buildings. Please be respectful of those who choose to wear a mask. Free KN95 masks are available at the COVID-Testing station in Sommer Center’s atrium.

Social Distancing:

It is important to continue practicing social distancing. Social distancing limits physical closeness and contact with others to avoid catching or transmitting an infectious disease.

COVID-19 Response Team:
The COVID-19 Response Team (the Team) was created in 2020 with the charge of meeting regularly to make suggested COVID-19 protocols and revisions to President Gibralter, as appropriate. In so doing, the Team frequently meets to monitor data from New York State, surrounding counties, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO), among other sources, and communicate with other colleges and universities regarding their COVID-19 protocols.

The Team strongly encourages all Wells College Community members to receive all eligible and applicable immunizations to prevent the contraction of COVID-19.

Contact Information:
If you need more information or have questions, please contact Richard Flanagan, COVID-19 Coordinator, at rflanagan@wells.edu or via telephone at 1-315-364-3229.

Thank you all for continuing to do your part to keep our campus community safe!

Wells College COVID-19 Protocol and Resources:

Wells College will continue past practices related to several important COVID-19 resources and protocols proven to support health and well-being on campus and in the community. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Providing free antigen COVID-19 test kits and KN95 masks.
  2. Continuing enhanced cleaning of campus facilities.
  3. Ongoing monitoring by the Wells College COVID-19 Response Team.
  4. Dedicating isolation spaces for on-campus students who test positive for COVID-19.

For additional information about Wells College COVID-19, please visit https://www.wells.edu/about/covid-19-info/