SU Campus Community Safety Guidance for Thanksgiving Break and Return Information
Thanksgiving traditionally is a time for family. While that is no different this year, Salisbury University asks its Sea Gull family to exercise COVID-19 precautions when celebrating at home this week. Just as you have on campus throughout the semester, please remember to:
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others when possible.
• Wear face masks as appropriate in public indoor spaces (and outdoors when physical distancing is not possible).
• Avoid large gatherings (and make sure you know what gathering restrictions are in effect in your county and state).
• Wash your hands frequently (or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not immediately available).
DOs and DON’Ts
While Thanksgiving break typically is a time for students to reconnect with friends from home, we are asking members of the University community to remember that COVID-19 transmission from asymptomatic carriers is possible. For that reason, staying in touch via phone, video chat or other means of remote communication may be a better idea than visiting with friends or others outside of your immediate family in person, especially as positivity rates for the virus continue to peak nationwide.
The coronavirus also makes mass shopping events like Black Friday less ideal this year. Because of that, many retailers are moving Black Friday deals online (and don’t forget about Cyber Monday, as well). If you do go shopping in person, please consider open-air markets, and remember best practices for face mask use and physical distancing.
Not up for a virtual shopping spree? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has suggested the following additional activities to stay busy and have fun safely during Thanksgiving break:
• Have a virtual Thanksgiving meal with friends and family who don’t live with you. Participants can share recipes and show off the dishes they prepared.
• Prepare traditional dishes at home and leave them for friends and family via contactless delivery.
• Watch television and play games with people in your household. With live audiences curtailed in many areas, TV is the only way to see many sporting events and the big parade.
• Find some fun games to play online or with members of your household in person.
• Participate in a gratitude activity, like writing down the things you’re thankful for and sharing them with friends and family.
For more ideas, as well as information on precautions, visit the CDC COVID-19 webpage.
Returning to Campus
Currently, SU is the only University System of Maryland institution with plans for students to return to campus following Thanksgiving. This is a testament to your hard work and dedication in following these precautions, which have helped keep our COVID-19 positivity rates under 1% for much of the semester.
Please remember that all students, faculty and staff returning to campus MUST have an SU-administered COVID-19 test the week after Thanksgiving, regardless of when your last test was. Those who do not will lose access to SU buildings and most services at the end of the day on Friday, December 4. (All Gull Card holders will retain access to buildings and services pending the outcome of that week’s tests.) COVID-19 tests performed by any provider other than SU will not be accepted.
If you have not already done so, please sign up for your SU COVID-19 test for that week and make sure you receive an immediate email confirmation from Calendly. Please note that, due to expected colder temperatures, testing for that week will move to Maggs Physical Activities Center.
After Thanksgiving, SU also provides free face masks for students, faculty and staff who need them, available at the Guerrieri Student Union Information Desk, Guerrieri Academic Commons Circulation Desk and Great Hall of Holloway Hall (hours TBA).
Other Precautions
In addition to required SU-administered COVID-19 tests, all campus community members are encouraged to get a flu shot this season. While this will not protect you from COVID-19, the flu vaccine can reduce your risk of symptoms similar to those of COVID-19 and help save limited health care resources for the care of patients with COVID-19, according to the CDC.
Please do your part to help us finish the semester strong. Have a safe, happy, healthy and enjoyable break!