Updated COVID-19 Guidance from
the University System of Georgia

General Covid-19 Update

The University System of Georgia recognizes COVID-19 vaccines offer safe, effective protection and urges all students, faculty, staff and visitors to get vaccinated either on campus or with a local provider. Additionally, everyone is encouraged to wear a mask or face covering while inside campus facilities. The system continues to work closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health to prioritize the health and safety of our campus communities.

COVID-19 Related Leave

COVID-19-specific leave for isolation and quarantine is no longer available.

Employees who must isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 illness or exposure may telework during this time with the approval of their supervisor. The nature of their position influences whether an employee is able to telework, since some positions are not able to be performed remotely.
- Any change in modality for a class requires the approval of the Provost’s office. Change in modality is subject to an end date and is correlated to isolation or quarantine timelines.
- Department chairs will make arrangements for class coverage when faculty are unable to teach due to illness.
- Fully vaccinated individuals do not have to quarantine.
When telework is not possible, employees who must isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 must use their accumulated leave to be away from work.

Reminder: No institution may change the overall modality of their instruction.

Employees may continue to use COVID-19 Vaccine leave in order to receive the vaccine and if they experience side effects from receiving the vaccine. The COVID-19 Vaccine leave is not permanent leave and may conclude as early as August 29, 2021 at the end of the State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery declared in the Governor’s Executive Order No. 06.30.21.01. We encourage employees who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine to do so and to use this leave while it is available. An employee may take up to eight (8) hours of Non-Closure Emergency Leave for the purpose of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, an employee may also take up to sixteen (16) hours of Non-Closure Emergency Leave if he or she receives a COVID-19 vaccine and experiences severe negative side effects that prohibit the performance of their duties of employment.

COVID-19 Contact Tracing, Quarantine, and Isolation

Contact Tracing

Institutions should continue to follow their existing practices related to contact tracing/notification. Only designated individuals on a campus may engage in contact tracing/contact notification.

Quarantine and Isolation

The expectations for quarantine and isolation remain the same and are in alignment with DPH Guidelines. Faculty should be prepared to accommodate students who are required to go into quarantine or isolation.

Quarantine

Isolation

Isolation is for individuals who test positive for COVID-19. Please see the DPH website for expectations for isolation.