[Wsssc] FW: [EXT] FW: New Higher Ed Guidance from Department of Health

[Gilmore English, Jessica]

Good morning. Sending on behalf of Joe and to make sure things are posting to our listserv. -Jess

From: Joe Holliday
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2022 7:50 AM
To: wsssc at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:wsssc at lists.ctc.edu>
Subject: FW: New Higher Ed Guidance from Department of Health

WSSSC: here is revised guidance from the Department of Health for higher education, below.

From: Choi Halladay <challaday at sbctc.edu<mailto:challaday at sbctc.edu>>
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 5:35 PM
To: WACTC
Subject: New Higher Ed Guidance from Department of Health

Good Evening, Presidents and Chancellors,

The Department of Health has released its new guidance document for higher education institutions. The document can be found at this link: https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/1600/coronavirus/HigherEducation.pdf<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoh.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Flegacy%2FDocuments%2F1600%2Fcoronavirus%2FHigherEducation.pdf&data=04%7C01%7Cjgilmoreenglish%40rtc.edu%7C0d08dbf7eae34a52f85708da07609d41%7C567e9a91fca340289835889234d03726%7C0%7C0%7C637830408812567474%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=E7g10Fl8HZbgKcu33VU9%2FLIYfVq4Qwkp8I8mjdtbB8A%3D&reserved=0>

The release of the document this early was a bit of a surprise; we were under the impression that there would be input from higher education institutions in developing these guidelines, but we did not get that opportunity. For the Governor's Higher Education Proclamation, Jan Yoshiwara and the Council of Presidents have arranged a meeting with the Governor's staff to provide input the next round of adjustments.

Most of the new guidance document is the same or similar to the previous guidance document. The only substantive change is in the section regarding masks. Because the Governor has not yet modified the Higher Education Proclamation (20-12.5) those requirements are still in place, and the Department of Health guidelines build on that document.

Notable highlights of the guidance document include:

  *   The guidance still distinguishes between fully vaccinated and non-fully vaccinated colleges.

     *   For fully vaccinated colleges, this new DOH guidance document is relevant

        *   This guidance documentation has recommendations, not requirements.

     *   For non-fully vaccinated colleges, the requirements of the Governor's Proclamation 20-12.5 (Higher Education) still applies, which can be found here: https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/proclamations/proc_20-12.5.pdf<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.governor.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fproclamations%2Fproc_20-12.5.pdf&data=04%7C01%7Cjgilmoreenglish%40rtc.edu%7C0d08dbf7eae34a52f85708da07609d41%7C567e9a91fca340289835889234d03726%7C0%7C0%7C637830408812567474%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=7EMUXldevxRPgn6ki%2BK2DRZice81SqyxLmsf%2FMkd8T0%3D&reserved=0>

  *   Masks

     *   Because of the wording of the Governor's Higher Education Proclamation, both fully and non-fully vaccinated campuses may have masks-optional policies.

        *   For fully vaccinated colleges, the guidance in this new DOH guidance states that masks are optional
        *   For non-fully vaccinated colleges, the Proclamation 20-12.5 says "Enforce compliance with the Secretary of Health's face covering order and L&I's requirements inside Higher Education facilities." As you know the Secretary of Health's face covering order now states that masks are optional for most indoor spaces.

  *   Fully Vaccinated definition and staying up to date on vaccines

     *   This guidance still retains the CDC definition of fully-vaccinated as being 2 weeks after the 2nd dose of a 2-dose series like Moderna or Pfizer, and 2 weeks after a single dose vaccine like Johnson & Johnson.
     *   It is a recommendation, not a requirement, that all students and staff get boosters.

  *   Physical Distancing

     *   For fully-vaccinated colleges, there are no physical distance requirements.
     *   For non-fully vaccinated colleges, Proclamation 20-12.5 states "Maintain minimum physical distancing, whenever possible, of three feet between all non-household members indoors on campus, including students, faculty, staff, volunteers, contractors, and visitors, and where physical distancing cannot be maintained, implement administrative or engineering controls to minimize exposure"

  *   Ventilation

     *   Recommendation to handle ventilation as per CDC guidance for IHEs

  *   Cleaning and  Disinfecting

     *   Follow CDC guidance on cleaning and disinfecting

  *   Handwashing, Respiratory Etiquette, and Supplies

     *   Promote healthy behaviors such as hand washing and respiratory etiquette

  *   Isolation and Exposure Notification

     *   An student or employee MUST be immediately isolated. Follow the CDC protocol for timing and return from isolation
     *   Local Health Authority must be notified for outbreaks of COVID on a campus. The definition of "outbreak" is not given in the document.
     *   L&I must be notified of outbreaks of 10 or more employee cases at a single college, and follow L&I rules for notifying employees of potential exposure.

  *   Testing

     *   No requirement to test but encourage colleges to follow CDC guidance on testing in Higher Education institutions

  *   Vaccination Promotion

     *   Colleges should actively promote vaccinations and boosters.

We will provide more information as we receive it, and update you as soon as we can.


[Compass]
Choi Halladay
Deputy Executive Director, Business Operations
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
challaday at sbctc.edu<mailto:challaday at sbctc.edu> * o: 360-704-4303



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