Dear Students,
Last week, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser issued new travel guidance for District residents traveling outside of the DC-Maryland-Virginia area and visitors traveling to the District of Columbia. With this new guidance and Thanksgiving break approaching, members of our community living on campus should consider quarantine and testing implications related to any travel to a “high-risk state” or international location.
The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating around the United States and with flu season underway, Thanksgiving is a high-risk time for transmission. If you will be traveling away from Georgetown, we encourage you to minimize contact with those outside your household for 14 days before traveling. Shared indoor meals are risky settings, and you may want to reconsider celebrating Thanksgiving with family members and friends who are at high risk of severe disease should they acquire COVID-19.
If you are traveling to a high-risk state or international location for fewer than 14 days:
- Self-quarantine upon your return to DC.
- Get a COVID-19 test 3-5 days after you return.
- Stay in self-quarantine until you receive a negative test result; once you receive a negative test, self-quarantine can end.
- Continue to get tested twice weekly in accordance with the COVID-19 testing protocol through the end of the semester.
If you will be traveling anywhere outside of the DC area for more than 14 days, or you think you were at risk of exposure to COVID-19 during your travels:
- Get tested 72 hours prior to your return to DC.
- Self-quarantine upon your return.
- Get a COVID-19 test 3-5 days after you return.
- Stay in self-quarantine until you receive a negative test result; once you receive a negative test, self-quarantine can end.
- Continue to get tested twice weekly in accordance with the COVID-19 testing protocol through the end of the semester.
It is essential that you stay in self-quarantine in your residence and not visit with others until you receive a negative test result. Students not following the quarantine protocol has already led to new COVID-19 cases on campus this semester. Students found responsible for violating the quarantine protocol will be subject to disciplinary action.
Below is the adjusted One Medical testing schedule for the period between Thanksgiving through the end of the Fall 2020 semester. Be advised that the current testing location will move from McDonough Gym to Healey Family Student Center after November 20.
Thanksgiving Week: Healey Family Student Center
- Monday, November 23, to Wednesday, November 25: Normal Schedule
- Thursday, November 26, to Sunday, November 29: Closed
Thanksgiving Week: Law Center
- Tuesday, November 24: Normal Schedule
- Friday, November 27: Closed
From Monday, November 30, to Friday, December 18, on-campus testing hours at the Main Campus will adhere to their normal schedule. From Monday, November 30, through the first week of January 2021, testing at the Law Center will continue with the normal Tuesday and Friday schedule, with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The Law Center testing site will be closed on Friday, December 25, and Friday, January 1.
If you are traveling for the holidays, you can also get tested at 85+ One Medical office locations nationwide. You can get tested at Student Health Services if you will be in the DC area for the holidays.
More information about testing requirements for residents returning to campus for Spring 2021 will be shared in the coming weeks.
With a surge of COVID-19 around the country and flu season, it is critical we all continue to follow public health measures. This includes wearing a mask, minimizing interactions with people outside your household, getting a flu vaccine, maintaining physical distancing from others, washing your hands regularly, and following other guidance from federal, local and university public health authorities.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ranit Mishori, M.D., MHS, FAAFP
Professor of Family Medicine, Interim Chief Public Health Officer
Marc Barbiere, MPH, CEM
Director, Office of Emergency Management