Site last updated August 4, 2022 at 8:23 am
Most recently updated information:Latest Updates
MSDH Provides Free At-home COVID-19 Tests
Beginning July 25, free at-home COVID-19 tests will be available at all Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) county health departments. Each family can receive eight tests (four packages) of BinaxNOW antigen rapid self-tests per month. No doctor’s note or documentation of any kind is necessary. These tests are not for resale.
Tests may be picked up without an appointment during regular health department hours. To find hours of operation of a county health department near you, visit HealthyMS.com/locations. If you are homebound, please order tests for delivery through www.covid.org.
If you have a positive home test result, you can report it to MSDH online at HealthyMS.com/positive. Reporting test results helps MSDH monitor COVID-19 activity in the state. For questions regarding at-home testing or reporting positive results, call the COVID-19 hotline at 877-978-6453.
COVID-19 Testing
The University Health Center continues to offer COVID-19 testing on campus. Call Student Health at (662) 915-7274 or Employee Health at (662) 915-6550 to schedule a test.
There are also options in Oxford/Lafayette County for COVID-19 testing. The Mississippi State Department of Health has FREE testing at the Oxford Conference Center Monday through Friday. More info and available appointments are here. Also, see this list of clinics around town offering COVID testing.
Mask Mandate on Public Transportation Ended (April 18, 2022)
As a result of a court order, effective immediately, the Transportation Security Administration will no longer enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs. This applies to Oxford-University Transit (OUT). TSA will also rescind the new Security Directives that were scheduled to take effect tomorrow. CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.
Campus Protocol Shifts to Mask Optional
Effective March 2, face coverings are required only on transportation networks (mandated by the Transportation Security Administration) and in healthcare settings such as University Health Services and University Counseling Center, regardless of vaccination status.
Face coverings are optional in all other indoor spaces, including classrooms, laboratories, studios, residence halls, libraries, dining facilities, the Student Union, Campus Recreation facilities, retail spaces, offices, conference rooms or extracurricular activities held in indoor on-campus spaces.
Face Mask Requirements for Transportation Networks
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) extended the face mask requirement for all transportation networks, including public transportation, through March 18, 2022. This requirement continues to apply locally to anyone who rides OUT buses. TSA’s initial face mask requirement went into effect on February 1, 2021, with an initial expiration date of May 11, 2021. It was first extended through September 13, 2021, and then to January 18, 2022. While this announcement extends the date of enforcement, all other aspects of the requirement remain unchanged, including exemptions and civil penalties. TSA also issued a statement on the face mask extension. Learn more about Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) guidance to the transit industry on the federal mask requirement for public transit at the FTA Transit Mask Up webpage.
HEERF III Financial Aid Assistance for Spring 2022
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is NOW OPEN for students for the Spring 2022 semester. To APPLY NOW for financial aid assistance related to COVID-19, University of Mississippi students should complete the application form (you must be a student to access this form).
Spring 2022 Update
- Letter from Chancellor Glenn Boyce to faculty, staff and students
- Letter from Provost Noel Wilkin to faculty and staff
- Letter from Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Charlotte Pegues to students
CDC, MSDH Update Quarantine and Isolation Guidance
The CDC updated guidance for a shortened isolation period when infected and a shortened quarantine period when exposed. The MS State Department of Health recommends the public and providers adhere to the CDC updated guidance.
Summary: People with COVID-19 should isolate for five days and if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours), follow that by five days of wearing a mask when around others to minimize the risk of infecting people they encounter. The CDC also updated the recommended quarantine period for anyone in the general public who is exposed to COVID-19.
See complete details of the Updated CDC Guidance and information from MSDH: What to Do If You Are Diagnosed with or Exposed to COVID-19 (Isolation and Quarantine).
City of New Orleans/Sugar Bowl COVID-19 Requirements
As Ole Miss supporters travel to New Orleans to cheer on the Rebels in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, please be aware that the City of New Orleans requires anyone 12 years of age and older to provide proof of at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine OR negative PCR, molecular or antigen test within 72 hours to enter the stadium on gameday. This requirement is also in effect for indoor dining in the city. More information is available on these websites:
University suspending vaccination requirement for employees after nationwide injunction
On Dec. 8, the Chancellor sent a message to faculty, staff and student employees sharing that a federal court in Georgia issued a nationwide injunction prohibiting the federal government from enforcing the COVID vaccination mandate for federal contractors. Since the executive order was stayed, the university is suspending its efforts to require vaccination for employees. Read the complete message.
Info about COVID-19 booster shots
Information and frequently asked questions about COVID-19 booster shots and their availability can be found on the COVID-19 booster shot FAQ webpage.
Free COVID-19 testing available on campus
On January 10, 2022, the university will resume free PCR COVID-19 testing for symptomatic or asymptomatic students, faculty and staff at the University-Oxford Depot. You may schedule an appointment at this link during these hours:
More info here. Visit the “UM COVID-19 Testing / University-Oxford Depot Site Results Page” to see results from Fall 2021 COVID-19 testing (PCR COVID-19 test) at University-Oxford Depot for students, faculty, staff.
MSDH free COVID-19 testing in Lafayette County
Update to Campus Protocols in Light of Current Cases and Data
Effective August 5, 2021, the university will temporarily require all individuals to wear masks in indoor public spaces. The new policy is consistent with public health guidance from the CDC and MSDH and comes as a direct result of the spike in COVID-19 cases nationwide and locally due to the Delta variant. Read the message from Chancellor Glenn Boyce about this protocol update.
MSDH COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for College and University Settings
On August 4, 2021, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) issued COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for College and University Settings. It includes guidance about Universal Indoor Mask Use: “Consistent with CDC Public Health Guidance, MSDH directs that masks be worn universally indoors for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Due to the prevalence of the highly transmissible Delta Variant, masks must be worn in all indoor facilities to mitigate the risk of infection at this time. Consistent and correct mask use regardless of vaccination status is vital to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. In general, people do not need to wear masks when outdoors, but masks should be considered in crowded outdoor settings or during activities of close prolonged contact with others.”
Need to report your positive COVID-19 result over the weekend or after business hours? There are two ways you can accomplish this.
- Download the Everbridge App and select the Report Positive COVID-19 button. Then scan or take a picture of your results and upload it to our HIPAA compliant UMBOX. Only University Health Services personnel will be able to view your documentation.
- Fill out the UHS Self Report form, scan or take a picture of your results and upload both the form and your results to our HIPAA compliant UMBOX. Only University Health Services personnel will be able to view your documentation.
QUESTIONS?
- UM COVID-19 Info Line (Available: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) 662-915-3600
- UM COVID-19 Email: C19@olemiss.edu
- Baptist Memorial Hospital, North Mississippi 24-hour Hotline: (866) 941-4785
- MS State Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline: 877-978-6453
Healthcare Concerns
For medical attention, students should call Student Health Services at 662-915-7274. Employee should call 662-915-6550.
Workplace Considerations
UM Human Resources has shared the following guidance with employees.
Academic Continuity
UM faculty are encouraged to use the following guidance to continue to work flexibly, quickly, and collaboratively.