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ALL STUDENTS

COVID-19 Screening, Testing, and Isolation

ALL GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE DEREE STUDENTS

In an effort to keep our students, faculty and staff safe, this guidance outlines ACG’s new COVID-19 protocols for our Fall 2020 Semester. The ACG community must remain vigilant in emphasizing social distancing, handwashing, staying home when sick, and the use of cloth face coverings as needed. As we reopen campus, all members of the ACG community must comply with all rules set forth by the College as recommended by The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY), including any travel restrictions.

Below are the steps that ALL individuals (International, Study Abroad, Residential and any other student authorized to be on campus) must follow before returning to ACG campus.

Monitor Symptoms

All individuals should monitor their health for symptoms of COVID-19 on a daily basis and before entering the ACG campus. Students should stay home and contact the ACG Health and Wellness Center (210 600-9800 ext 1093, 1193, 1500 or [email protected] or through skype at nurse.deree) immediately if any of the below apply:

  • have symptoms of COVID-19 (see list of symptoms below)
  • have been in close contact (within 2 m for 15 minutes or more) with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
  • have been in close contact with someone who is symptomatic (patient under investigation) who has been tested for COVID-19 and is awaiting test results
  • are symptomatic and been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting results or have been told the test was positive
  • have any other COVID-19 medical questions

Symptoms of COVID-19

  • Fever and/or chills or feeling hot (if no thermometer available)
  • New cough not related to chronic condition
  • Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
  • Sudden onset of loss of taste and smell
  • Headache unrelated to chronic condition
  • Muscle aches
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea and/or vomiting, diarrhea with or without respiratory symptoms
  • Sore throat

Medical Care and Testing for COVID-19

If, at any time, a student feels sick or experiences flu-like symptoms, or is concerned that they may have COVID-19 or are a close contact of someone who has COVID-19, the student should seek advice from the ACG Health and Wellness Center and contact their personal physician for medical guidance.

  • Students must be prepared to isolate or quarantine when necessary.
  • If a student starts experiencing symptoms on campus they must leave immediately and seek medical help/advice if needed/required.

Negative COVID-19 test

If a student tests negative for COVID-19, they can return to the ACG Campus 24 hours after symptoms and fever have resolved without medication. Continue to practice good hygiene, wear a face covering and practice physical distancing.

Positive COVID-19 test

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they should immediately self-isolate and follow the quarantine procedures as outlined the Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY) and the Office of Civil Protection. Be sure to notify the ACG Health and Wellness Center (210 600-9800 ext. 1093, 1193, 1500 or [email protected] or through skype at nurse.deree).

To return to campus, submit written documentation from your physician or the Office of Civil Protection to wellnesscenter[email protected].

 

Quarantine and Self Isolation

Quarantine is used when a person has potentially been exposed to an illness and needs to separate from other people in order to see if they develop symptoms and become sick. Self-isolation is used when someone has symptoms or is confirmed to have an illness.

If a student is diagnosed with COVID-19 they will be asked to self-isolate at home ideally in their bedroom if living with others. They will be asked to self-isolate until a specified period of time after symptoms resolve.  Housemates will also be asked to quarantine for a specified period of time. Follow instructions given by your physician and EODY.

The representative of ACG (Associate Dean of Students or the International Student Services Office for International students) will also contact you to explain the next steps, including the isolation procedure. 

  • The ACG Health & Wellness Center will collect essential information for tracing purposes, such as visited areas, contacts, dates they were on campus, etc.
  • The Provost will notify the Dean, Registrar, department head and any students’ faculty, staff who may have been exposed. Confidentiality is adhered to at all times.
  • ACG operations will initiate additional cleaning.
  • ACG staff will coordinate in order to ensure privacy during the isolation period.
  • Students are encouraged to use Wellness, Health and Mental Health services remotely.
  • Visit [email protected] on facebook and ACG Health & Wellness Center on blackboard and the website for articles and videos on health and wellness related to taking care of yourself and loved ones during this difficult period of self-isolation. 

Travel During the Semester

Students are encouraged to limit personal travel, both International and domestic, as much as possible. All students must log all travel outside of Greece with ACG at least two days prior to their departure. (ACG Student Travel Form)

Please be aware that travel restrictions may require a 14-day quarantine period upon return to campus. Please check the following sites for travel warnings and restrictions.

EODY

Athens International Airport

International Air Transport Association (IATA)

Visitors on Campus

For the Fall Semester 2020, students will not be allowed to have any visitors on campus. This policy will be reviewed and may change for the spring 2021 semester.

Students Living in the Residences

All individuals living in campus residence halls should follow the guidelines below.

Upon Arrival

  • Students should move in to Campus Housing no later than September 5.

  • All students entering Greece from abroad must take a COVID-19 test before departing their home country. The results should be dated no more than 72 hours prior to the student’s arrival in Greece.

  • All students living or vacationing in Greece, should take a COVID-19 test 72 hours before arriving at the Residence buildings.

  • Proof of negative results must be emailed to the International Student Services Office ([email protected]). Students who do not email their test results will not be allowed to stay at the residences or to enter the campus and participate in Orientation until they provide a negative test result. There will be no additional housing costs incurred for this early arrival.

  • The Greek Government requires visitors to fill in a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) 24 hours before entering Greece where students will provide their contact details in the country. The form can be found here. Targeted and random testing will also take place to aid the epidemiological research.

  • All students living in ACG residences will be tested for COVID-19 on September 9th. The entire process (samples collection, analysis, results) along with all relevant financial costs will be taken care by ACG.

  • Students will be required to self-isolate in their apartment from the date of their arrival at the residences until they receive the result of the test. (Sept 10, 11)

  • Students may leave their apartments to do their laundry and pick up deliveries from the residence lobby. Facemasks are mandatory when leaving the apartment.

  • Upon arrival to the residences, students will be provided with a COVID-19 starter kit which will include a face mask and hand sanitizer. Breakfast items and supplies will be available in all rooms and students will be provided with food delivery options.

  • All students will be required to sign and email before their arrival a disclaimer form stating that they understand the protocols and will adhere to all rules, regulations and policies on the ACG website.

Medical Care and Testing

If, at any time, a student feels sick or experiences flu-like symptoms, or is concerned that they may have COVID-19 or are a close contact of someone who has COVID-19, the student should notify their Resident Assistant and seek advice from the ACG Health and Wellness Center by phone, email or skype. If a student starts experiencing symptoms on campus they must leave immediately and return to the Residences, where they will inform their Residence Assistant.

A College nurse will arrange for further care with local hospitals and physicians as necessary. They may also arrange for COVID-19 testing. Testing is performed at the Residences and the sample is sent to Pasteur Institute. Alternatively, a student may be tested at a hospital or lab. Test results are communicated to the student by a College Nurse.

Quarantine and Self Isolation

Quarantine is used when a person has potentially been exposed to an illness and needs to separate from other people in order to see if they develop symptoms and become sick. Self-isolation is used when someone has symptoms or is confirmed to have an illness.

If a student is diagnosed with COVID-19 they will be asked to self-isolate in their bedroom until roommates have been reallocated to a new apartment. They will be asked to self-isolate in their apartment until a specified period of time after symptoms resolve.  Roommates will also be asked to quarantine for a specified period of time.

  • Housing services will notify roommates regarding their new room allocation. Individuals in self-isolation and quarantine must remove themselves from face-to-face interactions with others until the end of the specified quarantine date.

  • International Student Services (ISS) will email all students in the Residence Building of the positive COVID-19 case with information on days of isolation as directed by EODY, ability to travel, directions on how to attend class remotely, how to secure food/meals and other supplies and how to access healthcare and mental health services.

  • ACG Health and Wellness Center will remotely monitor the progress of the students who have been diagnosed or develop symptoms.

  • International Student Services will call quarantined students on a daily basis to inquire about their health status and other needs.

  • Students are encouraged to use Wellness, Health and Mental Health services remotely.

  • ACG staff will be available to schedule necessary medical appointments for any students who have symptoms and assist in obtaining food and supplies during the period of quarantine and self-isolation.

  • Visit [email protected] on facebook and ACG Health & Wellness Center on blackboard and the website for articles and videos on health and wellness related to taking care of yourself and loved ones during this difficult period of self-isolation. 
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