Masks may be required in some individual classrooms or offices, but the campus-wide mask requirement is no longer in place. 

If you are asked to wear a mask in certain spaces on campus, please respect the request. Students are encouraged to carry a mask when possible in case such a request is made, and unvaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to wear a mask when closely interacting with others.

Additionally, all community members and visitors are encouraged to wash their hands frequently, respect the personal boundaries of others, and stay home when sick.

If you are symptomatic and/or feeling unwell, stay home and do not report to classes, practices, work, or events, regardless of your vaccination status.

When to stay home, regardless of your vaccination status:

• If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and
  • It is within five days of symptoms first appearing and/or five days after a positive test.
  • It has been 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and/or
  • Other symptoms of COVID-19 have improved.
• When you are symptomatic.
• When you are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.
• When you are advised to do so by your medical provider.

Please note that following a positive COVID-19 test and the five-day isolation, it is recommended that you wear a mask for an additional five days to protect others.

Actions you should take if you are ill/symptomatic and need to stay home, regardless of vaccination status:

• Contact your healthcare provider to seek medical treatment if needed.
• Contact Judi Neswick in Student Health if you need to take a COVID-19 test and are not able to get one elsewhere.
• Contact a Morningside representative if you are ill and/or if you receive a COVID-19 test so Morningside can monitor illness for the health and safety of the campus community.
• While you are encouraged to provide a courtesy call to individuals with whom you have had contact if you receive a positive COVID-19 test result, it is important to know that employees do not need to quarantine following exposure to COVID-19 unless they are symptomatic and/or are awaiting results of a COVID-19 test.

Actions you should take if you have been exposed to or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status:

• You will not be asked to quarantine unless you become symptomatic and/or choose to take a COVID-19 test.
• If you have had contact with someone with COVID-19, you will be asked to monitor your symptoms and follow guidance if you develop symptoms and/or choose to take a COVID-19 test.
• It is recommended you consider masking for up to 10 days following a known exposure.
• It is recommended you be tested on day five following a known exposure.

• COVID-19 tests are available for students in the Student Health Center.
• Students and staff who are awaiting COVID-19 PCR test results are expected to quarantine. Results typically are available in 1-2 days.

• Contact Student Health regarding flu shots.
• Drilling Pharmacy is located just a few blocks from campus and offers free vaccinations, boosters, and Test Iowa testing kits. Visit their website for details.

Should Morningside move to a YELLOW, ORANGE, or RED operating level, additional details will be issued to students, faculty, staff, and the community.

GREEN: All normal operations have resumed with some exceptions for high-risk individuals. Vaccines are widely available and transmission rates are low.
YELLOW: Risk on-campus is considered low to moderate for all but high-risk individuals. Learning and working are primarily taking place in person, with some guidelines in place to limit the transmission of COVID-19.
ORANGE: Risk on-campus is considered moderate to elevated for all but high-risk individuals. Students and employees are present on campus but will utilize more options to learn and work remotely or to limit the transmission of the virus.
RED: The risk on campus is high for everyone. Students and employees may be present on campus, and most or all students and employees will utilize remote learning and working options in all possible circumstances. The campus is following directives from state and national authorities

• COVID-19 FAQ videos
• Siouxland District Health website
• Iowa Department of Public Health COVID-19 website
• Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 information
• U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories