COVID Tests and Masks

 Dear Faculty and Staff,

This is a brief follow-up to President Gabel’s message on January 12 about changes to isolation/quarantine guidelines and enhanced masking and testing.

Masks
It has been determined that higher quality masks help protect us from the virus. Departments and colleges may order enhanced masks through U Market Services for employee use.

COVID-19 Testing
President Gabel indicated that members of the campus community should: “Watch for information from your campuses about where to be tested and find rapid tests, or use this Minnesota Department of Health site to find other testing options.”

Access to COVID tests are still limited and the university continues to work on additional access to testing resources for faculty and staff. A new option made available recently is through the U.S. federal government, specifically the U.S. Postal Service. I encourage all employees to request these free at-home test kits.

As more tests become available, we will continue to work with your college and department leadership to enhance faculty and staff access to tests.

UMD Health Services continues to provide testing solely for students.

Vaccine Clinic
Thanks to our valued partnership with St. Louis County Public Health, we have a COVID-19 Vaccination clinic scheduled this week. The clinic will be on Wednesday, January 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Kirby Ballroom. More details are found on the UMD Health Services COVID-19 vaccinations website, including a link to pre-register.

Sincerely,

Lendley C. Black
Chancellor