Baylor will not require a COVID vaccination for attendance this fall. However, the University strongly encourages vaccination. The three COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the FDA are safe and highly effective in reducing the spread of the virus and in decreasing the possibility of serious illness and hospitalization. Full vaccination also exempts students, faculty and staff from weekly testing.

The Baylor Health Center is an authorized vaccine provider and has COVID-19 vaccine appointments available now for students, as well as faculty and staff, their spouses and dependents.

Health Center staff are giving COVID-19 vaccinations:

Daily (Monday-Friday)
North Village Community Center (NVCC)
9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Students and employees can make a vaccination appointment online through the Health Portal, or they can walk in to receive a vaccine at NVCC vaccination clinic. Spouses and dependents of employees should call 254-710-1010 to schedule a vaccination appointment. There is no cost for the COVID-19 vaccination.

COVID-19 vaccination is a critical prevention measure to help end the pandemic and accelerate the path to normal. More information is available at www.baylor.edu/vaccine.

If you have not already confirmed your vaccination with Health Services, please do so by uploading a photo of your completed vaccination card through the HIPAA-protected form at www.baylor.edu/vaccine. PLEASE NOTE: To successfully access this form, you must be logged in to your own Baylor-provided email account. This information will be submitted to Health Services for exemption from required weekly testing and helps the University know how well-protected we are as a community.

Beginning on Aug. 23, 2021, in certain indoor settings, face coverings will be required on a temporary basis. This includes the requirement that face coverings be worn (covering nose and mouth) by all students, faculty and staff in all classrooms and labs when used for academic instruction, in addition to some indoor locations where appropriate social distancing may not be possible, private faculty and staff offices when requested, and other areas designated by posted signage.

We ask that you please keep a facemask with you at all times and respect others who might have personal or family health considerations.

Face coverings must be made of materials consistent with CDC guidelines, should be form fitting, and should completely cover the nose and mouth. Acceptable face coverings include cloth or disposable masks. Neck gaiters, bandanas, scarves, valve masks and plastic face shields are not considered acceptable face coverings.

Failure to comply with wearing face coverings within these specific settings will result in referral to the Student Conduct office or the respective faculty or staff disciplinary process.

Due to the continued high number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Waco/McLennan County, Baylor University is extending its twice-weekly COVID-19 testing requirement for non-exempt students, faculty and staff through at least Oct. 1. The University will continue to re-evaluate the testing requirement.

Baylor University requires twice-weekly COVID-19 testing for:

• All students, faculty and staff who have not been fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use by the FDA or WHO, or
• All students, faculty and staff who have not had a positive COVID-19 test within 180 days of the date of the test. Example: If you tested positive on April 17, 2021, you will be exempt from testing until Oct. 14, 2021.

Testing locations and hours are:

• 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, North Village Community Center (students and employees). Use the Waitz app at https://waitz.io/baylor to check the wait time at the NVCC location.
• NEW HOURS as of Sept. 13: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jones Atrium lobby between Cashion Academic Center and Hankamer Academic Center (students and employees)
• Wednesday & Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, Clifton Robinson Tower, 5th Floor (employees)
• NEW HOURS as of Sept. 13: Wednesday & Friday, 1 to 5 p.m., Washington Tower, 811 Washington Ave., Room 170 (employees)

Students who are not exempt have received an email with their recommended days for twice-weekly testing, either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. Tests must be at least 48 hours apart. Student testing Frequently Asked Questions are available here.

Employees who are not exempt also have received an email with their recommended testing process. Employee testing Frequently Asked Questions are available here.

Baylor's medical team is confident that required twice-weekly testing, along with increased vaccination and continued personal health measures, will help keep campus safe and healthy.

If you are a student experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, please log in to the Health Portal on the Baylor Health Services website to make an appointment for testing at the Health Center at the McLane Student Life Center. Students also can use the Health Portal to make an appointment with a provider if they need or want to be seen.

Employees who are symptomatic should contact their primary care physician.

Given the University's current vaccine rate for students on campus and the uptick in cases in the Waco and McLennan County area and around the country, the University believes that twice weekly testing of unvaccinated students - those most vulnerable to the virus - was an appropriate decision. Unvaccinated faculty and staff also will be expected to test twice weekly.

The risk of vaccinated individuals contracting the virus is significantly lower than those who are not vaccinated. Therefore, the risk of a vaccinated individuals spreading the virus is also significantly lower. Baylor will, however, test vaccinated individuals who are symptomatic or exposed.

According to CDC guidance, fully vaccinated individuals who have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 should get tested 3-5 days after exposure, even if they do not have symptoms. Per CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated individuals will not be required to quarantine as long as they remain symptom-free.

Baylor Information Call Center can be reached at 888-283-2158 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

With the large freshman class and the scarce availability of housing and hotel rooms in the Waco area, the University's ability to provide isolation and quarantine housing for students will be severely limited. Availability will be prioritized for emergency use and for those students whose permanent residence is out of state or a significant distance from Waco. More information about quarantine and isolation procedures can be found in our interim COVID policies.

For example, a student's plan should include:

• a location to complete the self-isolation/quarantine period,
• a plan for transportation, such as using your own vehicle or transportation by a family member, but no use of public transportation,
• access to groceries/meal delivery,
• access to necessary medications,
• a plan to communicate with your professors,
• numbers of emergency contacts, and
• contact information for their preferred healthcare provider.

The message you received via your official Baylor email provided recommended days (either Monday and Wednesday, or Tuesday and Thursday) for twice-weekly testing. If the days do not fit into your schedule, it is up to you to test twice at least 48 hours apart at some point each week, Monday through Friday, during testing center hours.

Masks are required to be worn in the testing locations. Please follow the signs provided by My Labs Direct for entering and exiting the testing sites.

Testing for students takes place at two sites. Please note updated hours for the Cashion/Hankamer location:

• 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, North Village Community Center (students and employees). Use the Waitz app at https://waitz.io/baylor to check the wait time at the NVCC location.
• Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (effective Monday, Sept. 13) in the Jones Atrium lobby between Cashion Academic Center and Hankamer Academic Center

You are required to test twice during each week's 5-day testing window (Monday-Friday), and your two tests will need to be at least 48 hours apart.

Use the Waitz app (available at https://waitz.io/baylor) to check the wait time at the testing location at the North Village Community Center.

This resource also helps users know before they go to a number of spaces on campus, including dining halls, Moody and Jones Libraries, and the tutoring center.

In 2020, Baylor University partnered with OccuSpace, a technology company whose sensor-based monitoring system allows users to accurately estimate the number of people in a given space based on the number of Bluetooth and WiFi signal connections in that area. No personal data is ever monitored; the presence of a connectible device gives the sensors a highly accurate count of how many people are in the room.

If this is your first time to test on the Baylor campus, once you arrive at your testing site, you will scan the QR Code displayed outside of the testing location to create a NEW profile in the My Labs Direct (MLD) Patient Portal.

If you have already created your profile in the MLD patient portal and have tested previously on the Baylor campus, all you will need to do is log into your MLD account and display your personalized bar code to be scanned for testing. (Note that the first time you log in, you may be prompted to update some of your information.)

Once inside the testing location, an MLD staff member will instruct you on how to administer the test, which will take less than 5 minutes. The test is self-administered using a shallow, mid-nasal swab for greater ease and comfort.

You will receive an email notification from MLD typically within 24 hours that will instruct you to log in to access your test results. Alternatively, you can always log into the MLD dashboard where test results are posted and available once processed.

If you test positive, you will be contacted by a member of Baylor's Contact Tracing Team with further instructions. You are responsible for complying with those instructions.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you should begin isolation immediately and implement the other parts of your Isolation Plan. (See example below.) Those who test positive will be required to isolate for 10 days.

• Within 24 hours of receiving your positive test results, you will be contacted by a member of Baylor's Contact Tracing Team with further instructions and information. You are responsible for complying with those instructions, including any directives to isolate. If it has been more than 24 hours and you have not heard from a Baylor Contact Tracer, you can contact Baylor Health Services at Health_Services@baylor.edu or 254-710-1010.
• Do not attempt to re-test as a positive result cannot be overturned. You should not test again for the next 90 days.
• Anyone who tests positive will be exempted from weekly testing for the 180 days following the date of their positive test.
• Isolation housing for students who live on campus in University residence halls is prioritized for emergency use and for those students whose permanent residence is out of state or a significant distance from Waco.

More information about quarantine and isolation procedures can be found in the University's interim COVID policies.

A student's isolation/quarantine plan should include:

• a location to complete the self-isolation/quarantine period,
• a plan for transportation, such as using your own vehicle or transportation by a family member, but no use of public transportation,
• access to groceries/meal delivery,
• access to necessary medications,
• a plan to communicate with your professors,
• numbers of emergency contacts, and
• contact information for their preferred healthcare provider.

Students who fail to complete two tests in any given week will have their campus WIFI privileges disabled for the entire following week. Students can regain their campus WIFI privileges for future weeks once they have complied with the required twice-weekly COVID-19 testing. Should a student fail to test again, this administrative process will be repeated.

If a student continues non-compliance with required twice-weekly testing, in addition to losing their WIFI privilege, the University will take an additional step and remove their priority registration privilege for spring 2022 classes. The student will still be able to register for spring 2022 classes. However, they will be moved to the end of the registration line behind all other students, including first-year students who comply with testing requirements.

To avoid this next step, students must immediately comply with the twice-weekly testing requirement by the week of Sept. 20-24 and remain in compliance until testing ceases on campus.

Students who continue to be out of compliance with the twice-weekly testing requirement will be referred to Student Conduct and can be charged with failing to comply with a University policy. The possible sanctions for failing to comply can be up to suspension or expulsion from the University.

Students can regain their campus WIFI privileges the following week once they have complied with twice-weekly COVID-19 testing.

For example, if a student did not meet the twice-weekly testing requirements from the testing week (Monday-Friday), their WIFI will be disabled on the following Monday for the entire week, according to the University's administrative policy. Students do have a pathway for restoration of their WIFI by completing their twice-weekly testing during that next testing week (Monday-Friday). If those testing requirements are met, WIFI access will be restored on the following Monday by 3 p.m.

Should a student fail to test again, this administrative process will be repeated.

If students have an exemption from twice-weekly testing (full vaccination or positive test within the past 180 days), they need to notify the university through the form at www.baylor.edu/vaccine.

Although Baylor is not requiring a COVID vaccination for attendance this fall, the University strongly encourages vaccination, which protects against severe illness and exempts students, faculty and staff from twice-weekly testing.

The Baylor Health Center is an authorized vaccine provider. Health Center staff are giving COVID-19 vaccinations at the vaccination clinic in the North Village Community Center (NVCC) from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Students can make a vaccination appointment online through the Health Portal, or they can walk in at NVCC vaccination clinic. There is no cost for the COVID-19 vaccination. More information is available at www.baylor.edu/vaccine.

Students are exempt from testing if:

• You are fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use by the FDA or WHO. Students are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine.
• You have had a positive COVID-19 test within 180 days of the date of the test. This is a change from Baylor's previous 90-day exemption for a positive COVID-19 test. Example: If you tested positive on April 17, 2021, you will be exempt from testing until Oct. 14, 2021.

If you have not notified Health Services of your exemption request, you will be required to test twice each week.

If you have not confirmed your exemption with Health Services, please upload a photo of your completed vaccination card or documentation of your positive COVID test within the past 180 days through this single HIPAA-protected form. To successfully access the form, you must be logged in to your Baylor-provided email account.

If you received a vaccination from the Baylor Health Center or you have already submitted the vaccination exemption form with a photo of your completed vaccination card last spring or over the summer, you do not need to resubmit this information.

If you are a student and experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, please log in to the Health Portal on the Baylor Health Services website to make an appointment for testing at the Health Center at the McLane Student Life Center. Students also can use the Health Portal to make an appointment with a provider if they need or want to be seen.

When the Baylor Health Center is closed, Baylor students have 24/7 access to a nurse line after hours, on weekends and holidays at 254-710-1010.

Students who are presumed to be positive or who test positive at off-campus medical providers for COVID-19 must immediately notify Health Services by emailing a copy of their test results to Health_Services@baylor.edu. Health Services will provide further instructions about isolation and contact tracing.

If you are unvaccinated and have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you must continue to complete your twice-weekly testing requirements. However, if you begin experiencing symptoms, you should log in to the Health Portal on the Baylor Health Services website to make an appointment for testing at the Health Center in the McLane Student Life Center.

If you are fully vaccinated but have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19, according to CDC guidance, you should get tested 3-5 days after exposure, even if you do not have symptoms. Per CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated individuals will not be required to quarantine as long as they remain symptom-free.

The risk of vaccinated individuals contracting the virus is significantly lower than those who are not vaccinated. Therefore, the risk of a vaccinated individuals spreading the virus is also significantly lower. Baylor will, however, test vaccinated individuals who are symptomatic or exposed.

According to CDC guidance, fully vaccinated individuals who have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 should get tested 3-5 days after exposure, even if they do not have symptoms. Per CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated individuals will not be required to quarantine as long as they remain symptom-free.

Due to the continued high number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Waco/McLennan County, Baylor University is extending its twice-weekly COVID-19 testing requirement for non-exempt students, faculty and staff through at least Oct. 1. The University will continue to re-evaluate the testing requirement.

If you are an employee and have not met the requirements for an approved exemption, you will be expected to complete mandatory testing twice weekly through at least the first four weeks of the semester beginning Monday, Aug. 23.

Exemptions from testing for employees include:

• Full vaccination (14 days past final dose) with an FDA EUA vaccine
• A positive COVID-19 test within the past 180 days
• 100% remote work for the fall semester

If you have not already notified Baylor of any applicable testing exemption, please fill out the HIPAA-protected notification form. NOTE: To successfully access this form, you must be logged in to your own Baylor-provided email account.

If you received your vaccination at the Baylor Health Center, you do not need to submit the form. Health Services has your record.

If you received a vaccination off-campus and previously submitted the form to Health Services last spring or over the summer, you do not need to resubmit this information.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 within 180 days, you will be exempt from weekly testing until 180 days have passed from the date of your positive test. Example: If you tested positive on April 17, 2021, you will be exempt from testing until Oct. 14, 2021.

NOTE: Masks are required to be worn in the testing locations. Please follow the signs provided by My Labs Direct for entering and exiting the testing sites.

Please note the updated hours for the Cashion/Hankamer and Washington Tower testing locations, effective Monday, Sept. 13.

• 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, North Village Community Center & the lobby between Cashion Academic Center and Hankamer Academic Center (students and employees). Use the Waitz app at https://waitz.io/baylor to check the wait time at the NVCC location.
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, lobby between Cashion Academic Center and Hankamer Academic Center (students and employees)
• 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday & Friday, Clifton Robinson Tower, 5th Floor (employees)
• 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesday & Friday, Washington Tower, 811 Washington Ave., Room 170 (employees)

You do not need an appointment to test. Please pick a testing location and arrive during posted hours to receive a test.

Use the Waitz app (available at https://waitz.io/baylor) to check the wait time at the testing location at the North Village Community Center.

This resource also helps users know before they go to a number of spaces on campus, including dining halls, Moody and Jones Libraries, and the tutoring center.

In 2020, Baylor University partnered with OccuSpace, a technology company whose sensor-based monitoring system allows users to accurately estimate the number of people in a given space based on the number of Bluetooth and WiFi signal connections in that area. No personal data is ever monitored; the presence of a connectible device gives the sensors a highly accurate count of how many people are in the room.

If you have already created your profile in the MLD patient portal and have tested previously on the Baylor campus, all you will need to do is login to your MLD account and display your personalized bar code to be scanned for testing. The first time you login, you will be prompted to update some parts of your personal information.

Once inside the testing location, an MLD staff member will instruct you on how to administer the test, which will take less than 5 minutes. The test is self-administered using a shallow, mid-nasal swab for greater ease and comfort.

You will receive an email notification from MLD typically within 24 hours that will instruct you to login to access your test results. Alternatively, you can always log into the MLD dashboard where test results are posted and available once processed.

You also will be contacted by a member of Baylor's Contact Tracing Team with further instructions.

Yes, the Baylor Health Center is an authorized vaccine provider and has COVID-19 vaccine appointments available now for students, as well as faculty and staff, their spouses and dependents.

Health Center staff are giving COVID-19 vaccinations:

Daily (Monday-Friday)
North Village Community Center (NVCC)
9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Students and employees can make a vaccination appointment online through the Health Portal, or they can walk in to receive a vaccine at NVCC vaccination clinic. Spouses and dependents of employees should call 254-710-1010 to schedule a vaccination appointment. There is no cost for the COVID-19 vaccination.

Baylor will, however, test vaccinated individuals who are symptomatic or exposed. According to CDC guidance, fully vaccinated individuals who have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 should get tested 3-5 days after exposure, even if they don't have symptoms. Per CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated individuals will not be required to quarantine as long as they remain symptom-free.

For questions about faculty and staff testing, please contact askHR at 254-710-2000 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or send an email to askHR@baylor.edu. You call also contact the Baylor Information Call Center at 888-283-2158 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT.

You can find all communications regarding COVID-19 from Baylor University posted on the University Updates page.

Baylor University, the Waco/McLennan County Public Health District and the Texas Department of State Health Services also provide the latest information on the current COVID-19 situation on their websites and on their public dashboards:

• Texas Department of State Health Services
• Waco-McLennan County Public Health District
• Baylor Dashboard

The CDC provides guidance for what to do if you are sick or you believe you may have been exposed to the virus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/index.html

Baylor employees and supervisors should follow these notification procedures when an employee is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, waiting on test results or has a lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 test.

If you are a student with COVID symptoms or exposure to the virus, please log in to the Health Portal to make an appointment for testing at the Baylor Health Center in the McLane Student Life Center. Employees should contact their healthcare provider.

When the Baylor Health Center is closed, Baylor students have 24/7 access to a nurse line after hours, on weekends and holidays at 254-710-1010.

Symptoms of COVID-19

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention

Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

Baylor's interim policies in response to COVID-19 are available on the University Compliance and Risk Services website.

Beginning on Aug. 23, 2021, in certain indoor settings, face coverings will be required on a temporary basis. This includes the requirement that face coverings be worn (covering nose and mouth) by all students, faculty and staff in all classrooms and labs when used for academic instruction, in addition to some indoor locations where appropriate social distancing may not be possible, private faculty and staff offices when requested, and other areas designated by posted signage.

We ask that you please keep a facemask with you at all times and respect others who might have personal or family health considerations.

Face coverings must be made of materials consistent with CDC guidelines, should be form fitting, and should completely cover the nose and mouth. Acceptable face coverings include cloth or disposable masks. Neck gaiters, bandanas, scarves, valve masks and plastic face shields are not considered acceptable face coverings.

Failure to comply with wearing face coverings within these specific settings will result in referral to the Student Conduct office or the respective faculty or staff disciplinary process.

You can find all communications regarding COVID-19 from Baylor University posted on the University Updates page.

Baylor Custodial Services conducts cleaning and disinfection in accordance with current CDC recommendations. This includes increased disinfection in multiple locations with an emphasis on restrooms, common spaces and common high-touch contact points across campus. Any disinfectant used on campus is approved as effective against the coronavirus by the EPA.

Additionally, Baylor Custodial Services continues to implement improved ventilation practices, including increasing building fresh air, maximizing filtration and disinfecting coil systems. Air purifiers are being provided to departments upon request.

We remind everyone to practice good personal hygiene to lower the risk of becoming ill.

Touchless hand sanitizing dispensers are set up across campus.

If you need a face covering, disposable face covers are available at the McLane Student Life Center.

If departments have questions about additional PPE, cleaning supplies or other materials, they should contact Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) at 254-710-2900 or ehs@baylor.edu.

If you are a student with COVID symptoms or exposure to the virus, please log in to the Health Portal to make an appointment for testing at the Baylor Health Center in the McLane Student Life Center. Employees should contact their healthcare provider.

For students who need regular health care, appointments with the Baylor Health Center also can be made by calling 254-710-1010 or online through the Health Portal log-in on the health services website.

This fall, the Health Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday. Check the website for updated hours. When the Baylor Health Center is closed, Baylor students have 24/7 access to a nurse line after hours, on weekends and holidays at 254-710-1010.

The Office of Baylor Spiritual Life and University Chaplain Dr. Burt Burleson offer pastoral care and other spiritual resources for students and the Baylor community by phone at 254-710-3517, by email and on their website at www.baylor.edu/spirituallife. For pastoral care, reach out to Tyler Conway, senior coordinator for care and Campus Ministries, at tyler_conway@baylor.edu. Students also may reach out to Resident Chaplains.

The Baylor Counseling Center can be reached 24/7 at 254-710-2467. Students also may email Counseling_Center@baylor.edu. You can read more about how the Counseling Center is serving students during the pandemic on the Counseling Center website.

The Paul L. Foster Success Center provides assistance with advisement, academic support, accommodations and access to resources for student success, including The Store.

Baylor Care Team Services is a team of case managers who connect students to resources both on and off campus and offer holistic care through creating trusting relationships.

No. However, getting the flu vaccine is strongly encouraged by Baylor. Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not only to reduce a person's risk from flu but also to help conserve potentially scarce healthcare resources.

Baylor Health Services does offer flu shots at the health center in the McLane Student Life Center.

Effective Monday, Aug. 23: International travel to Canada, the European Union, and the United Kingdom will be allowed by Baylor University and subject to the usual process of departmental/college approval and registration of travel with the Center for Global Engagement at least 14 days in advance.

Both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers should check with Jared Bickenbach (Jared_Bickenbach@baylor.edu), Director of Global Safety and Security, regarding entry, exit, and other restrictions and requirements that might impact their decision to travel.

• Travel to any other international destination remains restricted at this time.
• International Group Travel (study abroad, international missions, is restricted to fully vaccinated individuals.
• Exceptions have been and will be granted for essential travel (research, conference participation, etc.) based on the traveler’s vaccination status and entry restrictions in proposed travel site.
• Exceptions to this policy can be requested by emailing: jeffrey_hamilton@baylor.edu

The full international and domestic travel policy is here: https://www.baylor.edu/risk/doc.php/366019.pdf.

Baylor University faculty, staff and students are permitted to travel domestically for university business purposes including academic conferences and student organization travel sponsored by the University. Vaccination is not a requirement for University-sponsored domestic travel. For your health and safety, Baylor University strongly encourages all individuals to be vaccinated, to the extent that they do not have medical or sincerely held religious beliefs to abstain from the vaccine. All travel should be conducted in accordance with CDC guidance on domestic travel during COVID-19.

The full international and domestic travel policy is here: https://www.baylor.edu/risk/doc.php/366019.pdf.

Employees who are sick or suspect they are sick should stay home and contact a health care provider. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas provides you and your covered dependents access to virtual healthcare for non-emergency medical and behavioral health needs through MDLive. Login to www.mdlive.com/bcbstx or call 1-888-680-8646.

For specific guidance related the University's leave policies please consult with Human Resources. Completion of medical documentation and or doctor's notes to approve sick leave or provide an initial designation of FMLA will not be immediately required. The University may require individuals to provide medical certifications as follow up documentation after the dates the sick leave was taken.

As part of the campus community, Human Resources is focused on ensuring a healthy workplace. Faculty and staff also have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides access to other free and confidential resources.

Through Behavioral Health Services with MDLive, Baylor health plan members and dependents have 24/7 access through MDLive to licensed counselors, therapists and psychiatrists for issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma and loss or relationship problems. Please refer to the FAQs below regarding telehealth options and MDLive to learn more about utilizing this service and related cost.

Baylor Wellbeing also has coordinated virtual support for employees' physical, financial, spiritual, emotional and social and professional Wellbeing. Go to the Wellbeing website to view a schedule of Wellbeing programs and to access additional resources to support employee Wellbeing.

Yes. As a BCBSTX member, you won't pay copays, deductibles or coinsurance for testing to diagnose COVID-19 or for testing-related visits with in-network or out-of-network providers, whether at a provider's office, urgent care clinic, emergency room or by telehealth. If you seek treatment with an out-of-network provider, the visit will be covered at 100% up to the allowable amount. Prior authorization for testing-related visits is not required.

Yes, the Baylor University HDHP or PPO health plans include telehealth coverage through MDLIVE. MDLIVE offers you and your covered dependents access to virtual healthcare for your non-emergency medical and behavioral health needs, 24/7 from the comfort of your home after you have created an online account. Here is what you need to know:

• MDLIVE physicians diagnose and treat 50 of the most common conditions, along with providing temporary prescription refills.
• Speak with a licensed counselor, therapist or psychiatrist for support. You can choose who you want to work with for issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma and loss or relationship problems.
• If concerns for COVID-19 are present during your medical assessment, the MDLIVE physician will help guide you to the appropriate level of care.

You can access MDLIVE online at: www.mdlive.com/bcbstx, by phone: 888-680-8646 or simply text "BCBSTX" to 635483 to receive a link to get started.

1. You must register to use your MDLIVE account. We recommend you register now, so you are prepared when you need quality care.
2. Request to see a doctor. MDLIVE doctors are available by phone or video. You can request to wait to see a doctor right away or schedule your appointment for a time that works for you.
3. Have your visit. MDLIVE doctor will go through your symptoms, recommend a treatment, and can even send a prescription to your nearest pharmacy as needed.

All telehealth visits with MDLive or with your in-network provider are covered at a low copay depending on your medical plan election. If you are enrolled in the PPO Plan, your copay for telehealth visits through MDLive is $30 per visit. If enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), your cost for MDLive visits is $44, or lower if you have met your deductible. Please check with your local in-network provider for your costs associated with their telehealth visits.

Yes. Visit www.cvs.com/content/coronavirus to request free delivery of prescription drugs and review other helpful resources available to you through CVS. If you have questions about a medication delivery, please call CVS Customer Care at 866-260-4646.

Yes, as provided by the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, to provide you additional time to use any unused amounts from your 2020 Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account elections, Baylor extended the 2020 grace period to December 31, 2021.

This change will not affect the grace period for any 2021 Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account elections you may have made. You will have until March 15, 2022 to use your 2021 elected amounts.

Baylor University is open and serving student and constituents while maintaining safety and security of our Baylor community and ensuring continuity of business needs. Any official Baylor closure will be communicated by the University and/or the School or Division as determined necessary to do such.

School and Division leadership will make decisions based on business need as to what departments and/or staff or faculty need to work on site and the frequency of that work. Employees should seek clarification from their leadership if questions arise regarding their work schedule or location. Leadership and employees both need to take an active role in adhering to standards of work that support a healthy and safe work environment.

Employees who have been fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use by the FDA or WHO do not have to quarantine after close contact with a person who is presumptively or confirmed to be positive for COVID-19. Employees who have been fully vaccinated should only quarantine and test for COVID-19 if they begin experiencing symptoms.

Employees who are unvaccinated and come in direct contact (<6 ft for more than 15 min) with a person who is presumptively or confirmed to be positive for COVID-19 should self-quarantine and monitor themselves for any symptoms. The University is currently requiring either a 10-day quarantine without testing or the option to test out of quarantine after 7 days. Should a person start showing symptoms, seek medical treatment, remain in self-isolation for at least 10 days after symptom onset or 10 days from date positive COVID test taken and until symptom free and fever free for 24 hours, and otherwise follow medical advice.

Employees who are unvaccinated and have indirect contact (> 6 ft) with a person who is presumptively or confirmed positive for COVID-19 should monitor for symptoms. They should self-isolate only if they develop symptoms. Should a person start showing symptoms, seek medical treatment and follow CDC guidelines to determine the appropriate time to return to work, but at least 10 days after symptom onset or 10 days from date positive COVID test taken. Additionally, Baylor requires employees to be symptom-free and fever-free without fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours before returning to work.

Faculty and staff should return to work when they are fit for duty as outlined in the University's Return to Work/Fitness for Duty Policy. This includes on-campus, Remote Work, and Telework. Baylor's goal is to return workers to work in the safest manner possible while acknowledging possible limitations that may impact the ability to perform the essential functions of the job thus requiring modifications. While a return to work typically requires the assessment and documentation by the employee's health care provider, this may not be reasonably possible due to COVID-19. Employees should follow CDC guidelines to determine the appropriate time to return to work, at least 10 days after symptom onset or after 7 days with a negative test. Additionally, Baylor requires employees to be symptom-free and fever-free without fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours before returning to work.

Unvaccinated faculty and staff who have been in close contact, as defined by the CDC (< 6 feet for 15 or more minutes ), with someone with COVID-19 who has symptoms or recent positive test should follow CDC guidelines and self-quarantine for 10 days without a test or 7 days with a negative test. The only exception to quarantine requirements are for employees who are fully vaccinated. Employees who have been fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use by the FDA or WHO do not have to quarantine after close contact with a person who is presumptively or confirmed to be positive for COVID-19. Employees should only quarantine and test for COVID-19 if they begin experiencing symptoms.

During a period of self-quarantine, employees can continue to telework unless they are otherwise on leave. Should any employee start to experience symptoms of fever and/or upper respiratory illness, he or she should notify his or her supervisor, seek medical treatment and stay home in a non-work status in order to support full recovery.

Employees should return to work when they are fit for duty as outlined in the University's Return to Work/Fitness for Duty Policy. Baylor's goal is to return workers to work in the safest manner possible while acknowledging possible limitations that may impact the ability to perform the essential functions of the job thus requiring modifications. While a return to work typically requires the assessment and documentation by the employee's health care provider, this may not be reasonably possible due to COVID-19. Employees should follow CDC guidelines to determine the appropriate time to return to work, at least 10 days after symptom onset or 7 days with a negative test. Additionally, Baylor requires employees to be symptom-free and fever-free without fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours before returning to work.

Due to COVID-19, it may not be reasonably possible to obtain a doctor's note from your healthcare provider. Therefore, employees should communicate any changes in their work status and their ability to perform their job duties to their direct supervisor. Employees may be asked to provide a fit for duty certification or other medical release as outlined in the University's Return to Work/Fitness for Duty Policy.

Due to health information privacy laws, we will not be providing names or locations of individuals who may test positive for COVID to the broader campus community. We will take steps to notify the individuals who may have been in contact with that employee after consultation with the employee and public health officials. Baylor will maintain a dashboard of the current number of cases on the University's coronavirus website at www.baylor.edu/coronavirus.

Steps Baylor University will take when notified of a potential case include the following.

Employees who have tested positive for COVID-19, in addition to assisting Public Health Authorities in contact tracing efforts, will be asked by their HR Consultant to provide the location of their workspace and the last time they occupied their on-campus workspace. Employees with symptoms or pending a COVID-19 test will be asked by their supervisor to provide the location of their workspace and the last time they occupied their on-campus workspace. Supervisors and Human Resources will work together to determine next steps and potential relocation of other employees when appropriate, e.g., based upon how far in the past a test was positive. Options for relocation to an alternative workspace may include moving to different workspace or moving employees to telework until cleaning can be completed. The supervisor or Human Resources will notify Facilities (Aramark) of the location of the workspace and the last time of occupancy of the employee with concerns or a COVID positive. Aramark will conduct enhanced cleaning of the workspace 24 hours after being notified. If the supervisor has questions or needs the space available immediately (< 24 hours), they should contact Environmental Health and Safety.

Since you reside in New York, we encourage you to visit the New York State Health Department website for the latest COVID-19 related information. From there, you can sign up for email notifications, or contact your local health department office by viewing the online directory.

Baylor continues to provide more general information about Waco and Baylor at www.baylor.edu/coronavirus.

Residents of Dallas County can visit the Dallas County Health and Human Services' website for the latest COVID-19 related information and resources. Those in Tarrant County (Ft. Worth and surrounding areas) can visit Tarrant County Public Health for coronavirus information. Additional information is available on Tarrant County Public Health's Facebook page.

Baylor continues to provide more general information about Waco and Baylor at www.baylor.edu/coronavirus.

Since you reside in the Austin area, we encourage you to visit Austin Public Health for information on COVID-19. The website includes a Virtual Assistant to use for your coronavirus-related questions.

Baylor continues to provide more general information about Waco and Baylor at www.baylor.edu/coronavirus.

If you live in Houston and the incorporated areas of the city extending outside Harris County, we encourage you to visit the Houston Health Department for COVID-19 information. If you live in Harris County, visit Harris County Public Health.

Baylor continues to provide more general information about Waco and Baylor at www.baylor.edu/coronavirus.

Since you reside in the Washington, D.C. area, we encourage you to visit the District of Columbia Department of Health for information on COVID-19.

Baylor continues to provide more general information about Waco and Baylor at www.baylor.edu/coronavirus.

Since you reside in the San Antonio area, we encourage you to visit the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District for information on COVID-19.

Baylor continues to provide more general information about Waco and Baylor at www.baylor.edu/coronavirus.

Baylor University's primary COVID-19 liaison is:

George Nunez, Director of Emergency Management
Email: coronavirus@baylor.edu

Baylor Information Call Center
888-283-2158
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday

Access any of the following resources for additional information or answers to commonly asked questions:

• FAQs: www.baylor.edu/coronavirus/FAQS
• Interim COVID-19 Policies: https://www.baylor.edu/risk/index.php?id=970933
• If you are a member of the media, please contact Baylor Media & Public Relations at 254-710-1961 or mediacomm@baylor.edu.

International students can contact Baylor International Student and Scholar Services in the Center for Global Engagement at 254-710-1461 or by email at ISSS_Support@baylor.edu.

A list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) for new and current (returning) international students and scholars for the Fall 2021 terms is available on the Center for Global Engagement website. As new information becomes available, CGE will update these FAQs.