In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC has recommended that isolation and quarantine measures are necessary to protect the public by preventing exposure to people who are ill with the virus. 

Isolation is the process of separating people who are sick with COVID-19 from people who are not sick.

Quarantine is the process of separating and restricting the movement of people who were exposed to COVID-19 during the incubation period when they may become sick with the virus and infect others.  

Student Quarantine and Isolation

During the virtual learning period when students are not reporting to campus, students are encouraged to follow quarantine and isolation requirements as directed by their healthcare providers and public health departments. Students should notify the COVID-19 Response Team (covid19@salem.edu), Director of Academic Support and Student Disability Services (ida.davis@salem.edu), or the Dean of Undergraduate Studies (richard.vinson@salem.edu) for support if quarantine or isolation requirements or the COVID-19 illness impact their participation in virtual classes.

Employee Quarantine and Isolation Requirements

• Employees who are symptomatic and tested for COVID-19 will be required to isolate pending the results of their test.  
• Employees who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for at least 14 days.  Employees who test negative but remain symptomatic may be required to remain in isolation.
• Employees who are concerned about possible exposure and not symptomatic may be directed by Human Resources to quarantine for a period of up to 14 days.
• Employees who are identified as a “close contact” of a positive COVID-19 case will be required to quarantine.
• When notified of a COVID-19 concern, Human Resources will provide employees with information regarding Salem isolation and quarantine requirements and telework and other work-related arrangements or leave as applicable.  Human Resources will direct employees to stay home and not return to campus until the applicable isolation or quarantine period has ended.
• All employees who are directed by Salem or a healthcare provider or public health department to isolate or quarantine must remain in isolation or quarantine as applicable until cleared by Human Resources to resume regular on-campus activities.

Employees should plan to quarantine or isolate as directed at home or another off-campus location. Compliance with isolation and quarantine requirements will be a campus community condition for participation in on-campus work and activities during the pandemic.

Quarantine and Isolation Situational Protocols

In all of the following situations, report the need for isolation or quarantine to Salem as provided in these Guidelines and Protocols and DO NOT COME TO CAMPUS OR REPORT TO WORK until you have been cleared to do so by Salem. 

1. Isolation Due to Illness 

   If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you must isolate at home and not report to campus until: 

   • At least 14 days* have passed since your symptoms began, 
   • At least 3 days have passed since you had a fever (without the use of fever reducing medication during), and 
   • At least 3 days have passed since your other symptoms improved, including cough and shortness of breath.  

   If you tested positive for COVID-19 but never had any symptoms, you must isolate at home and not report to campus until at least 10 days have passed after the date of your positive test. 

   Even if you receive a negative COVID-19 test result during the isolation period, you must complete the full isolation period and process before coming onto campus. 

   *At the direction of its medical consultant, Salem is requiring an extended isolation period for symptomatic individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. 

2. Quarantine Due to Exposure

   If you have had “close contact” with someone who has a suspected or lab confirmed case of COVID-19, or you have been advised by any health department or health care provider to quarantine, you must stay home and not report to campus until at least 14 days have passed from the time that you had close contact with someone with COVID-19.  

   If you live with or care for someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, your quarantine period may be extended by Salem (for a period of up to 24 days or longer) as your exposure in this situation continues until the isolation period for your housemate or dependent has concluded.  

   Even if you receive a negative test during the quarantine period, you must complete the full quarantine period and process before coming onto campus. 

   If you subsequently develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 during the quarantine period, you cannot come onto campus until the time period for isolation has ended. 

3. Symptomatic

   If you are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms listed above, you must stay home, not report to campus, and isolate pending further guidance from your healthcare provider. In consultation with you, Salem will determine when it is safe for you to resume regular campus activities. 

4. Other Considerations

   The directions provided in these situational protocols are subject to change at any time without notice as recommended and directed by public health officials, public health agencies, and medical experts.