University of Maine System announces COVID vaccine requirements for fall 2022 semester

ORONO — The College of Maine System has introduced its COVID-19 vaccine necessities for college kids for the autumn 2022 semester.

To review or take part in any in-person actions at Maine’s public universities, college students have to be totally vaccinated — obtain all main doses in a two-dose vaccine or full a single-dose one — or acquire a UMS-approved medical, spiritual or distant learning-only exemption.

College students should submit proof of vaccination or request an exemption by Aug. 31. New college students can present their info and exemption requests by finishing the “COVID Vaccine/Exemption Docs” discovered within the Pupil Heart predominant web page below “To Do Record,” whereas returning college students can achieve this utilizing the UMS COVID-19 portal.

Officers strongly encourage college students to acquire a COVID-19 vaccine booster when eligible, not solely to stop critical sickness from the illness, but in addition in case the System shifts to requiring one in response to altering pandemic circumstances. College students who don’t obtain a booster should quarantine for not less than 5 days if they arrive in shut contact with somebody who exams constructive for COVID-19, per present CDC protocols.

Anybody, together with college students, touring exterior of Maine, each domestically and internationally, for university-related actions should acquire a COVID-19 take a look at inside 72 hours of departure and return until they’re fully-vaccinated and haven’t examined constructive for the illness up to now 90 days. All journey should adjust to visa, U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention and U.S. Division of State necessities, in addition to Maine Civil Authority and System steerage.

“At the moment enhancing circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraging, however we aren’t out of the woods simply but,” mentioned Chancellor Dannel Malloy. “Getting vaccinated and, when eligible, boosted stay one of the best defenses towards the illness. At the moment, 97.7% of our residential college students and 95.9% of our nonresidential college students are already in compliance with our COVID-19 steerage for fall. I’m grateful for our college students’ dedication to their very own well being and security, and the welfare of everybody throughout our college communities.”

Face coverings proceed to be non-compulsory for college kids, college, employees and guests in its non-classroom services on campuses and in UMS services statewide, each indoors and out, no matter vaccination standing. They’re, nonetheless, wanted in all lecture rooms, analysis areas and tutorial areas until the requirement is waived by a school member.

UMS additionally necessitates face coverings for public occasions in its services that welcome 75 or extra individuals, until proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a unfavorable take a look at result’s required. All UMS occasion organizers have the choice to require face coverings.