As we begin Spring Semester 2021, we ask that all MGA community members continue to follow the safety precautions that were established during 2020. The situation surrounding COVID-19 will continue to change rapidly, so these guidelines and best practices will likely change over time to prioritize the health and safety of our campus community.
The below information explains the guidelines, practices, and policies that have been implemented at MGA, why those guidelines are in place, and best practices that all community members should follow to help keep themselves and their fellow Knights safe. For a detailed outline of COVID-19 guidelines, please see the Return to Campus Plan (below).
This page will be updated frequently as new information becomes available; please check back often.
MGA will adhere to all current USG workplace health and safety guidance and all current executive orders issued by the Office of Governor Brian Kemp.
During Spring 2021, we will continue to observe social distancing, face covering, and other preventative practices for all campus operations, and we will share information about COVID-19 vaccination.
As COVID-19 vaccines become available to an increasing number of members of our community, please see below for information and links to resources about the vaccines and their availability.
How Do I Get A COVID-19 Vaccine?
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) maintains a list of locations where individuals will be able to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine. The list is being updated frequently, and new locations are being added regularly.
In addition, the local DPH health districts are offering vaccines:
North Central Health District (NCHD) for residents of Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Hancock, Houston, Jasper, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Putnam, Twiggs, Washington and Wilkinson counties. Visit their website or call 1-844-987-0099
South Central Health District (SCHD) for residents of Bleckley, Dodge, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Pulaski, Telfair, Treutlen, Wheeler, and Wilcox counties. Visit their website or call 478-275-6570
When Will I Be Able To Get Vaccinated?
COVID-19 vaccines are being made available to specific groups in phases. The local health districts will announce when each phase of the population becomes eligible to receive a vaccine.
A breakdown of the upcoming vaccination phases is available on the NCHD’s vaccination page – click on the “COVID-19 Vaccination Phases” link to see the breakdown.
Will The Vaccine Be Available On Campus?
Currently, MGA is not a distribution site for COVID-19 vaccines. If the university is selected in the future to serve as a distribution site, we will publish that information here and on MGA social media accounts.
How Do I Find Out More About The Vaccine?
If you have additional questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, including:
How many shots are required?
Is the vaccine safe?
How effective is the vaccine?
Do I still need to wear a mask and socially distance after being vaccinated?
COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory illness, spread through droplets that are produced when an infected individual talks, coughs, or sneezes. It is possible be infected without experiencing symptoms, and spread the disease without knowing that you’re carrying it.
Effective July 15, All employees and students are required to wear an appropriate face covering while inside campus facilities/buildings where six feet social distancing is not always possible. Face covering use will be in addition to and is not a substitute for social distancing.
Face coverings are not required in one’s own dorm room or suite, when alone in an enclosed office or study room, or in campus outdoor settings where social distancing requirements are met.
Anyone not using a face covering when required will be asked to wear one or must leave the area. Repeated refusal to comply with the requirement may result in discipline through the applicable conduct code for faculty, staff or students.
Reasonable accommodations may be made for those who are unable to wear a face covering for documented health reasons.
MGA will provide two washable cloth face coverings to all faculty, staff and students. Additional face coverings will be available for purchase at campus stores.
Assess and adjust workspaces to maximize social distancing, including spacing furniture with six feet of separation.
Hold virtual meetings whenever possible.
Provide services remotely whenever possible.
Do not share phones, desks, offices, computers, or other equipment. In cases where equipment is shared, it should be disinfected before and after each use.
When interacting in open environments (e.g., outdoors, atriums, auditoriums) or in indoor common areas, keep a safe social distance.
Limit occupancy in elevators and bathrooms to one person at a time, unless social distancing can be maintained.
Do not use a restroom when it is being cleaned.
Avoid all person-to-person contact, including handshaking.
In a small number of cases, social distancing in the classroom may not be an option. Click here to view a list of those exceptions. If you are in one of the listed classes or meet in one of the listed spaces and have concerns, contact your instructor, advisor, or department chair to discuss alternative options.
Sanitation Practices
As MGA employees and students return to our campuses, we will intensify our efforts to clean and disinfect our facilities. Facilities employees will clean and disinfect high traffic/high touch areas at regular intervals. Faculty and staff are encouraged to clean their personal workspaces daily, and cleaning supplies will be provided. Students may also be asked to take additional efforts to wipe down shared items and spaces with provided sanitizing wipes. Plexiglass barriers, seating removal/configurations, and additional hand sanitizing stations will be deployed throughout campuses. Facilities staff and independent facilities contractors will clean and disinfect high traffic/high touch areas at regular intervals:
MGA is implementing a self-screening process to support the early identification of illness and help protect the health and safety of our community. All employees and students are strongly encouraged to administer the COVID-19 Daily Self-Checklist before coming to campus.
Do you have a fever (temperature over 100.4º F or 38º C) without having taken any fever-reducing medications?
Do you have a loss of smell or taste?
Do you have a cough?
Do you have muscle aches?
Do you have a sore throat?
Do you have shortness of breath?
Do you have chills?
Do you have a headache?
Have you experienced any gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite?
Have you, or anyone you have been in close contact with, been diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed in quarantine for possible exposure to COVID-19?
Have you been asked to self-isolate or quarantine by a medical professional or a local public health official?
If you reply YES to any of the questions in the checklist, stay home. If you begin to feel ill while at work, you should immediately go home. If possible, avoid all public transportation, ridesharing, or taxis. See the “If You Get Sick” section for more information on the steps you should take. You will be expected to leave campus and self-isolate until all appropriate criteria for your return are met.
If You Get Sick
If you begin to show the symptoms of or test positive for COVID-19, you should report the illness immediately:
Step 1: Communicate
1. As soon as you begin showing symptoms,receive a positive test result, or have had close exposure to someone who has testing positive for COVID-19, you should report this information to:
Students: Inform your faculty members/instructors
Students who live in housing: Inform your Resident Assistant (RA)
3. Contact your primary care doctor for guidance regarding a medical evaluation, or visit the COVID-19 Testing page for information on how you can obtain a COVID-19 test.
Step 2: Evacuate and Isolate
If you become ill while working on campus, you should immediately go home. If possible, avoid all public transportation, ridesharing, or taxis.
If you become ill while off campus, you should not come to campus.
For either situation, follow the appropriate scenario below (“After Home Isolation”) for returning to work.
Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas or return to campus.
Monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may be present as well.
Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated.
Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.
Follow care instructions from your healthcare provider and local health department. Your local health authorities may give instructions for checking your symptoms and reporting information.
Separate yourself from other people. You will be required to self-isolate until the appropriate return-to-work criteria are met.
