Weekly COVID-19 Update: December 10
Team,

As we conclude another semester at Idaho State, I want to thank you for your dedication to our students and their education. Your patience, understanding, and willingness to adapt to our health guidelines is always appreciated.

This will be our final weekly COVID-19 update email of the semester. Prior to classes resuming in January, I will send an email to campus with any operational updates for the spring semester. 
SITUATIONAL UPDATE
Despite a slight increase in the number of on-campus positive cases last week, our overall situation continues to head in the right direction. Our University and the State of Idaho are closely following updates about the Omicron variant of COVID-19, and we will be ready to make any necessary operational adjustments. The recent emergence of this new variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccinations, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19.

  • Idaho State will remain at Level White on all campuses through at least Friday, January 7. Masks continue to be required indoors and at outdoor events where distance cannot be maintained. During the first week of January, University leadership will meet and discuss our operational levels for the spring semester.

  • Earlier this week, I sent an email about a nationwide preliminary injunction prohibiting the federal government from implementing a vaccine mandate. Our University will continue to encourage all members of our campus community to voluntarily get vaccinated. Information about vaccination clinics is available on the Roaring Back website.

  • The State of Idaho extended the employee vaccination incentive leave program, and it is now available for employees who complete a COVID-19 vaccination through December 31, 2021. The four hours of leave are eligible for use through January 31, 2022. 

  • International travel requirements have recently been updated. As of December 6, a negative COVID-19 test, taken no more than one day before travel, is required for all air passengers (regardless of vaccination status) who are traveling to the United States. I encourage all campus community members to follow CDC recommendations for safe travel during the holidays. 

  • As we conclude the semester, I want to remind all students, faculty, and staff one last time to use the Self-Report Form if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or if they are experiencing COVID-like symptoms.
Thanks for everything you have done this semester in supporting our students and our mission. I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.

––Kevin

Kevin Satterlee
President
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