Colleagues – 

As we approach the November break, I am writing to call to your attention a few updates. While state executive orders and CDC updates are both publicly available, seemingly everywhere, and personal responsibility, below are a few to highlight.

CDC Guidance and Updates

• The CDC has issued guidance specific to Thanksgiving regarding travel and gathering. This has been reported in the press; I always go to the source document from the CDC.

• There have been questions about what constitutes a “close contact” of a COVID positive individual. The CDC defines a close contact as “someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period* starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.” Keeping this definition in the forefront of your mind is important in understanding how to lower the likelihood of transmission in your Bates and personal activities.

Maine State Executive Orders

• All Maine residents should be aware of the Governor’s executive orders and guidance on all matters. A running update is available on the Governor’s newsroom website.

• Of particular note are announcements around new measures regarding social gathering venues, local interstate travel restrictions (as of last week Massachusetts travel again requires quarantine or negative tests), and earlier this month face coverings are required in all public places.

Bates Testing Center in December

• Testing will be available on Tuesdays in December. Schedule your test through the Garnet Gateway. As has been the case through the semester, we encourage those on campus to test; do not come to campus just to test. If you choose to travel out of state for the holidays, please meet whatever state requirements need to be met before coming to campus; the testing center is not intended to test out of state travel restrictions.

As we have collectively understood this fall, precaution – not panic – serves us well. I wish you and your families well as we move towards the November break.

Gratefully,

Geoff