For the most up-to-date information about the University’s response to the pandemic, visit www.udel.edu/coronavirus. Have a specific question? Check the FAQs, which are updated regularly as questions come in to coronavirus@udel.edu.

Winter Session update: The University has announced new guidance for Winter Session, effective Monday, Jan. 10:

• Classes that were temporarily moved online for the first week will transfer to in-person format. Students are advised to check with their instructors with any questions.
• The free drop date for Winter Session classes has been moved to Jan. 28, which is now the last day to drop a class with a full tuition refund, no grade and no “W” recorded on the transcript. Jan. 28 is also the deadline for making a registration change to pass/fail or audit. Students will still be responsible for meal plans and other fees.
• The isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19 will now be 7 days instead of 10. Details on actions that need to be taken by those who test positive for COVID-19 and by anyone who has been in close contact with someone who tested positive are included in the Jan. 6 announcement.
• Effective immediately and until further notice, well-fitted masks worn properly must be used by everyone in indoor spaces, including laboratories, classrooms and residence halls, except in individual rooms where the door is closed. In addition, masks now must be worn by any individual speaking from a podium in a classroom setting; this is a change from prior classroom masking requirements.
• Anyone who receives positive COVID-19 test results at a non-UD testing site is required to upload their results to the UD Health Portal.

Additional Winter Session protocols: The following items were announced in December:

• All students, faculty and staff who will be on campus during Winter Session, regardless of vaccination status, are required to complete surveillance testing at a UD testing site within five days of being on campus. Persons testing positive for COVID in the past 30 days are exempted from this requirement if they have uploaded their positive test to the UD Health Portal. Surveillance testing on campus during Winter Session is for those individuals who are scheduled for in-person classes or who regularly need to access campus services and facilities ONLY. Otherwise, please take advantage of the COVID-19 community testing venues available throughout the state of Delaware or testing options available at local pharmacies. From Mondays through Thursdays, UD surveillance testing is available from 9 a.m.-12:45 p.m., at Harker ISE Lab and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Pencader Dining Hall/Clayton Hall (effective Tuesday, Jan. 11, the Pencader testing site will move to Clayton Hall). Please register in advance for testing at either Harker or Pencader/Clayton Hall. You must have an appointment booked in advance to participate in testing, no exceptions. Students, faculty and staff at the Wilmington, Georgetown, Dover or Lewes campus locations may schedule a test at the Newark sites or submit results from a community PCR test or home PCR test to the UD Health Portal. (Results from rapid tests are not acceptable.)
• Dining Services is continuing with a grab-and-go only model in the Pencader and Russell dining halls, as well as in the dining areas in the Perkins Student Center. Grubhub Mobile and Kiosk Ordering will continue for dining in Perkins Student Center. For a complete list of hours of operation and dining updates, please visit https://udel.campusdish.com/.
• Remote work is continuing for those offices where in-person interaction is not required. Please check with your supervisor if you have questions.

Booster shot required for students for spring semester: All eligible UD students without an existing COVID-19 vaccine exemption are required to be vaccinated with a booster shot by Jan. 24, to be fully protected before the start of the spring semester. This requirement includes all enrolled students whether they are taking classes on campus, online or in a blended format. All students will have access to campus facilities during the spring semester, so it is necessary to ensure that all students are fully vaccinated and protected. Answers to FAQs specifically about boosters are available on the coronavirus website.

Upcoming booster clinics: COVID-19 vaccine booster clinics are scheduled in Room 106 of the Pencader Dining Hall from 2-6 .m., Wednesday, Jan. 19; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 21; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 28; and 3-6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 2. Register here for any of these clinics. When you get your booster, remember to update your records at the UD Health Portal.

Research update: UD research operations remain in Phase 4. Face masks are required in all indoor research venues. Monthly virtual research town halls, hosted by Charlie Riordan, vice president for research, scholarship and innovation, will resume starting Monday, Jan. 10, from 2-3 p.m. Special guest will be Dr. Kelly Frick, interim medical director of Student Health Services. Register online.

Get a flu shot: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months get a flu vaccine every season to reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits and missed school or work, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. You can get the vaccine at many local drug stores, or you can use the CDC’s Flu Vaccine Finder.

Need more options to get the COVID-19 vaccine or a booster? Many area pharmacies are now offering COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots. In addition, the Hudson State Service Center, 501 Ogletown Rd., Newark, holds vaccination clinics from 8:30-11:15 a.m. and 1:15-4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Walk-ins are welcome, and there is no cost. The center has all three vaccines and can also administer child vaccinations. Questions? Call 302-283-7570.

Employee vaccination mandate update: The Executive Order from the federal government requiring COVID-19 vaccine for all UD employees remains paused as decisions continue to play out in the federal courts. However, all coronavirus health and safety protocols, including weekly testing for those who are not vaccinated, remain in place. All faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to get boosted and upload this information to the UD Health Portal.

Get help with the essentials Students struggling with housing, food or other basic needs should consult the Office of the Dean of Students’ Help with the Essentials webpage to connect with relevant resources and support.

Student wellbeing support is nonstop:

• UD Helpline for mental health and victim advocacy at 302-831-1001
• Crisis Text Line at 741741 (send “UDTEXT”, or “STEVE” to reach a professional who specializes in supporting students of color)
• CareNet for medical advice at 800-681-3957

For more information about all wellbeing services, visit the Wellbeing in Student Life webpage.

Don’t forget to check in: All members of the UD community who are on campus must complete the daily health screening at covidcheck.udel.edu. Several University facilities are reviewing the Daily Health Check to affirm your status to be on campus safely, including at all dining halls, the Little Bob, the Morris Library and the museums. In addition, all faculty have been given the option of checking compliance in classrooms. Learn more about the Daily Health Check in this short videoprepared by Student Life.

Support available: The Employee Assistance Program is now provided through ComPsych GuidanceResources. This is a free program available for State of Delaware Group Health Plan non-Medicare members and their dependents. As part of ComPsych’s commitment, EAP services are available through the end of the national COVID-19 public health emergency to all state of Delaware employees, including temporary, casual, seasonal and benefit eligible employees who are not currently enrolled in a state of Delaware Highmark Delaware or Aetna health plan. In addition, Employee Health and Wellbeing has a variety of resources available to assist employees.

Questions? Send an email to coronavirus@udel.edu.