Deb Moriarty dmoriart@fandm.edu
Sat, Nov 21, 5:49 PM
Dear students and families,
We are writing with information and clarification on travel guidance and quarantine per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pennsylvania’s Department of Health, Department of Education, and Governor’s office. Below you also will find answers to commonly asked questions regarding move out for students who are currently in quarantine and isolation.
Parent / family pickups on campus and travel / quarantine guidance
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recommends that only one family member come to pick up each student. Parents/family members entering Pennsylvania simply to pick up their student and return home will not be in violation of Pennsylvania’s Nov. 20 travel mitigation order as long as they are taking all appropriate precautions and are not planning on remaining in-state or moving freely throughout the community. If your travel plans include an overnight stay in Pennsylvania, it is recommended that you contact the hotel and ask for their own guidance.
Please be aware of any travel and quarantine policies in your home state or place of residence. The CDC maintains a list of state departments of health with links to relevanttravel and quarantine information.
Q: I was named a close contact in contact tracing and told to quarantine. Can I leave campus?
Leaving campus does not change the length of your quarantine period.
Going home when in quarantine requires consideration of several factors. The person in quarantine or isolation must be able to do the following:
- Travel home safely without impacting the public:
- Drive themselves if symptom free or minimally symptomatic; or
- Have a family member come to get them, knowing exposure risk; and
- Avoid using any form of public transportation
- Have adequate space to separate from family when home and avoid or minimize
- shared space; for example, have own bedroom / own bathroom
- Make sure there are no high-risk individuals at home.
The student’s family must agree with the decision, as they might also need to quarantine. If a student is in quarantine and can completely separate from family, the family does not have to quarantine unless the student becomes symptomatic and/or tests positive.
Q: I just received a positive test result and I want to depart immediately. My familyis coming to get me. What do I need to know?
If you have tested positive, you must follow the criteria listed above for students in quarantine before going home.
If there is any shared space at home, even if student and family members are not in shared space at the same time, the family must quarantine during the student’s entire isolation period plus an additional 14-day close contact quarantine that would not start until the student is out of isolation. That means that family members’ quarantine could last up to 24 days.
F&M will provide isolation space and will provide for students who are not able to leave campus.
If you have a family member willing to pick you up, after reviewing the above factors, please plan to depart campus as soon as possible. While moving out, please take extra care to maintain all COVID safety protocols. Stay at least six feet away from others; wear a mask at all times when in public, even when keeping your distance; wash your hands thoroughly and frequently; and wipe down hard surfaces after use.
Please remember that all personal items must be removed from your room, and you must return your key before you depart.
Q: I received a positive test result and have gone to Schnader. My family is coming to get me before Sunday afternoon or before the end of my isolation time.What do I need to know?
In order to best limit the chance for spreading COVID, access to your residence hall is restricted. A family member will be able to meet you outside of Schnader, and you will need to remove your belongings from your room.
In order to best coordinate your departure, please communicate with Q&I staff 24 hours in advance, if possible. Your family will be able to pick you up from campus after the campus move-out is completed on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 1 p.m. No one will be allowed toenter Schnader. Please also coordinate your departure from campus with your house dean to ensure minimal contact with others.
When departing the campus, please take extra care to maintain your COVID safety protocols. Stay at least six feet away from others; wear a mask at all times when in public, even when keeping your distance; wash your hands thoroughly and frequently; and wipe down hard surfaces after use.
Deb Moriarty, Ph.D.
Interim Vice President & Dean of Student Affairs
Franklin & Marshall College
717.358.5816
Pronouns: she/her