Latest COVID-19 Update - Class accessibility and other changes

Dear Covenant Parents,

Below you will find an important email sent today to your sons and daughters with the latest updates to our COVID-19 policies. I have spoken with and heard from a number of you and am happy to announce we will have Google Meet as an option for those in quarantine to stay engaged in classes. We also continue to seek out extra quarantine space near campus as these times call for creative measures. We are praying for your children and you in this time of transition, and are excited to welcome students to campus in the coming days.

In Christ,
Brad Voyles
VP for Student Development

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Dear Covenant Students,

We look forward to your arrival in the coming days. As plans continue to develop in real-time, I am providing here the latest updates to the email I shared last week. Questions can be directed to covid19@covenant.edu.

Updated Testing Entry Requirements

If unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, you have three options:
- A copy of your negative PCR test results taken in the 3-5 days prior to your arrival on campus;
- A copy of your antigen test results taken 24-48 hours prior to your arrival (this cannot be a home test - it must be a test with results including your name);
- A copy of your positive test results from the prior 90 days not to include the previous 10 days - must have your name and date on it.
- These results can be sent to studentdevelopment@covenant.edu or a copy brought with you to campus to be given to your RD or the Office of Student Development, Carter 138.
If fully vaccinated, you should send a copy of your vaccination card to healthservices@covenant.edu and have a copy available when moving on to campus.
Please do not come to campus without test results if unvaccinated. If unable to get tested or receive results on time, you can go to the locations in the greater Chattanooga area listed at the end of this message prior to coming to campus.

Update on Access to Classes when in Quarantine/Isolation

Students in isolation (infected) or quarantine (exposed) will now have access to Google Meet for their courses with very rare exceptions. It is the responsibility of students in isolation or quarantine to email their professors and share with them their note from Health Services designating their 10 day quarantine or isolation so that they can be invited to their classes via Google Meet by their professors.

Masking Guidance

Due to the large number of family members and guests from across the country and beyond on campus during orientation, masks will be required in large gatherings in the chapel as well as in Carter Lobby on Friday and Saturday.
It is recommended that masks be worn in hallways and elevators when moving students into rooms.
Masks will be required in the Advising Arena on Monday afternoon.
Masks will be provided for those who have not brought one.
As previously mentioned, masks will be required for students when in classrooms and other indoor instructional spaces (labs, studios, music rehearsal spaces, etc.). Masks will also be required in chapel and for indoor intercollegiate athletic events.
These restrictions will be reevaluated every two weeks. The measures for Orientation are in place to give us a better chance of starting the semester with limited transmission.

Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines

Students who test positive will need to isolate for a minimum of 10 days off campus, or if available, in an isolation room on campus. If on campus, meals will be delivered.
Unvaccinated students identified as close contacts with a person who has COVID-19 must quarantine for 10 days at home or, if available, in a quarantine room on campus. Boxed meals can be picked up at designated times and location.
Vaccinated students identified as close contacts who are symptomatic should contact health services for a test and plan to quarantine in the meantime.
Students testing positive and those named as close contacts who are unvaccinated must immediately stop all in-person activities for the duration of their assigned isolation or quarantine. If in quarantine or isolation on campus:
- Please avoid close contact with others.
- Students are not to attend classes, chapel, athletic practices/competitions, music rehearsals, or any other student activities.
- Students are also not allowed to enter any campus offices, dining facilities, or common spaces, including the gym and library.
- Students are allowed to go outside on their own to exercise and get fresh air.
- Students should wear their masks at all times when outside of quarantine space indoors or unable to distance from others outdoors.
Students must make every effort to travel home if at all possible. With a limited number of rooms on campus, space will be prioritized in the following way:
- Sick students unable to travel home
- Students who have at-risk family members at home
- Students from the furthest distance unable to travel home
The college is working with local families and alumni to find additional space off campus that could be utilized by unvaccinated close contacts who have not developed symptoms and are unable to travel home. Students staying in these off campus locations should have access to a vehicle and would need to honor the following guidelines:
- Remain in their room and wear their mask;
- Pick up meals at the ScotsDesk to eat outside or in their quarantine room;
- Go to the Health Center on days 1, 3, and 7, to be rapid tested for COVID-19 while going off campus on day 5 for a PCR test;
- Alert Health Services immediately if symptoms develop.

Future Communications

We will again be sending emails out regularly to the campus community this year with updates on policies, case counts, and other information. These emails will be posted to the College's Covid-19 web page as they were last year.

Campus is busy as we prepare for your arrival: student leader training is underway, faculty are lesson planning, staff are busy making final preparations, and all with much prayer. We look forward to students arriving and for the opportunity to love one another sacrificially this semester.

In Christ,
Brad Voyles

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Testing Sites in Chattanooga Area

Clinical Medicos: 1148 E23rd Street, Chattanooga, TN 37404 (423)206-4530
Testing: Mon - Sat: 8a-11am and 12p-3pm, Sunday 1p-3:30p. (drive through Free testing)
Lifespring: 2507 McCalie Ave. Chattanooga, TN 37404 (423)-209-8383
Testing: Mon and Fridays: 11am-1pm. (drive through free testing).

Also here is a link to CVS Pharmacies that are doing testing:
https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing

Other Urgent Cares:
AFC Urgent Care (Hixon, TN) 423-486-1911 Open M-F 8a-8p, Sat/Sun: 8a-5pm
AFC Urgent Care 3520 Cummings Hwy, 423-799-2823 Open 7 days a week: 8a-6p
AFCUrgent Care 26 Parkway Drive (hwy 2A) Fort Oglethorpe, Ga 706-956-2846 Open: 7 days a week 8am-6pm
Physicians Care Northshore 419-N. Market St, STE 100, Chattanooga Open M-F 8-8p 423-4143012 Sat/Sun: 8a-4p
Physicians Care, Hixon Tn. 4490 Hixon Pike, Chatt. Tn Open M-F 8-8p 423-875-0700 Sat/Sun: 8a-5p