Find answers to some of the most common health-related questions about the University’s response to COVID-19 and the Red Hawk Restart Plan below. You’ll also find more information and answers at Red Hawk Restart.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I am an out of state student who is quarantined due to the New Jersey travel advisory, can a negative COVID-19 test release me from quarantine?
No, New Jersey does not accept testing to discontinue quarantine. You must quarantine 14 days.
What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?
Quarantine is separating an exposed person from the general population while waiting to see if they develop symptoms. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department. If necessary, you may leave to get food or to go to a doctor’s appointment.
Isolation is used to separate people infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from people who are not infected. People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. In the home, anyone sick or infected should separate themselves from others by staying in a specific “sick room” or area and using a separate bathroom (if available).
What will MSU do to increase compliance with mask wearing? I would like to know what plans there are for this.
Student Health Ambassadors will be on campus to provide masks if someone needs one as well as to assist with educating and reminding people to wear their face coverings. In addition, all students and employees must participate in an educational program about COVID-19. The education will be ongoing throughout the semester in addition to the required education. The policy will be monitored for compliance and those who chose to not adhere to the policy will be dealt with either through the student disciplinary or Human Resources processes already in place.
What is social distancing?
Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping a safe space between yourself and other people who are not from your household.
To practice social or physical distancing, stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
I have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive, when can I come back to school?
As of August 8, 2020, students or someone in their household who is experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness or have tested positive for COVID-19, should remain on home isolation at least until 10 DAYS have passed since symptoms first appeared AND at least 1 day (24 hours) with no fever, without use of fever-reducing medication AND improvement in symptoms. If they have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, they should self-quarantine for 14 days from the last exposure to the COVID-19 person.
What is the difference between close contacts vs. household contacts?
Close contacts are individuals who are within 6 feet of a confirmed COVID-19 case for a prolonged period at least 10 minutes or had direct contact with the infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case ( e.g. were coughed on).
Household contacts are individuals who live in the same household as the confirmed COVID-19 case.
If someone has seasonal allergies, do they have to stay home until they no longer have the allergies or are they still allowed to come as long as they follow social distancing and frequently wash their hands? I would imagine that this would be excused, because I often get seasonal allergies and wouldn’t want to alarm anyone to where they think I may have the virus when in actuality I do not and it’s just allergies.
The symptom checker asks about new symptoms that cannot be explained for any other reason. Someone with allergies will recognize their symptoms and will choose the appropriate response.
If an out of state student wants to arrive early but wants to quarantine off campus can they do this?
Yes, as long as they do it in the State of New Jersey.
Are we going to require proof of when they arrived in New Jersey?
Yes.
If a student just wants to drop off their things, let’s say on the 15th and not return until the 25th, do they need a second COVID-19 test before arriving to stay on campus?
No. The COVID-19 test should be completed prior to moving in, not when they drop off their items.
Given the possibility of a false positive COVID-19 test, should people with COVID-19 symptoms be quarantined even if they test negative. Does MSU plan to quarantine people in that situation?
We follow local, state, and federal guidelines for evaluation and management. Currently federal guidelines advise that if a person has a negative test and active symptoms, you should keep monitoring symptoms and seek medical advice about staying home, and if warranted get tested again. This is why daily symptom checks are essential. If students are on campus they will be evaluated and an appropriate plan of care will be developed.
Why does Hawk Check need to be completed 6 to 14 hours before arriving on campus?
The rationale is to give managers and instructors time to make plans for an absence. If you are not able to complete the Hawk Check assessment 6 hours in advance, it is still important to do it before you arrive on campus.
Have Other Questions?
- General questions related to coronavirus: coronavirus@montclair.edu
- Fall Restart Reopening questions: reopen@montclair.edu
- Students may also email health-related questions to askanurse@montclair.edu or call The University Health Center at 973-655-3459.