Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

University of Mississippi

Wednesday, August 12, 2020 COVID-19 updates

University News

UM’s Campus Ready Plan highlighted in “CBS Sunday Morning” feature story
On Sunday, August 9, the university’s planning and preparation for a safe return to campus this fall was featured in a segment about higher education during the pandemic by CBS Sunday Morning.
Travel guidance updates
The CDC recently updated its travel guidance and now does not recommend a 14 day quarantine for international travelers entering the U.S.  The university is following the CDC guidelines so it is no longer a requirement for international travelers to quarantine for 14 days after entry into the U.S. Please visit the CDC information for practicing precautions after travel.
  • On-Campus Students: Students who are currently in a quarantine space due to this previous international travel restriction are able to leave and move into their semester space and their quarantine period has ended.  Please contact Student Housing to make arrangements to move into your semester space. Those who are arriving soon will be able to move directly into their on-campus space.
  • Off-Campus Students: Since there is no longer a requirement to quarantine for 14 days due to international travel restrictions, your quarantine period has ended.
Ole Miss Bookstore hours of operation
August 13: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
August 14: 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
August 15: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
August 16: CLOSED
August 17-21: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
August 22-23: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
August 24-28: 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
August 29: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
August 30: CLOSED
Ole Miss Dining hours of operation for Move-In Week 2020 (August 17–23; All hours are subject to change.)
August 17–18
  • Residential: Rebel Market 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m./3:30-8 p.m.
August 19
  • Residential: Rebel Market 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m./3:30-8 p.m.
  • Union restaurants: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
August 20
  • Residential: Rebel Market 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m./3:30-8 p.m.
  • Union: Chick-Fil-A 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Panda Express/Which Wich/Qdoba/McAllister’s 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
August 21
  • Residential: Rebel Market 7 a.m.–1:30 p.m./3:30-8 p.m.
Marketplace 7 a.m.–2 p.m./4-8 p.m.
  • Union: Chick-Fil-A 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Panda Express/Which Wich/Qdoba/McAllister’s 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
  • Retail: Papa John’s 12 p.m.–12 a.m.
  • PODs: Minor/Towers/Crosby 12 p.m.–12 a.m.
August 22
  • Residential: Rebel Market 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m./3:30-8 p.m.
Marketplace 10 a.m.-2 p.m./4-8 p.m.
  • Union restaurants: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Retail: Papa John’s 12 p.m.-12 a.m.
  • PODs: Minor/Towers/Crosby 12 p.m.-12 a.m.
August 23
  • Residential: Rebel Market 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m./3:30-8 p.m.
Marketplace 10 a.m.-2 p.m./4-8 p.m.
  • Union: All restaurants except Chick-fil-A 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Retail: Papa John’s 12 p.m.-12 a.m.
  • PODs: Minor/Towers/Crosby 12 p.m.-12 a.m.
Parking
Normal parking and enforcement operations will be in effect Monday–Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning Thursday, August 13. Visit the Parking & Transportation webpage or call 662-915-7235 for more details. 
O.U.T. Bus Operations
  • Oxford University Transit (O.U.T.) has resumed full operations with most standard routes operating on a normal schedule.
  • The Rebel Red campus circulator shuttle (counter-clockwise) will not operate this fall, but the Rebel Blue campus circulator shuttle (clockwise) will operate with two buses in order to provide a more consistent service for the shuttle. Riders that used the Rebel Red bus stop locations in the past will need to identify the closest Rebel Blue stop. Signage at affected shelters will be posted prior to August 24.
  • All O.U.T. buses are equipped with hand sanitizer dispensers, cleaned regularly and disinfected. Buses are equipped with additional protections for riders and the drivers. Seating capacity is limited on all buses and all riders must be seated (no standing).
  • Riders are required to wear a mask at all times while waiting at a crowded bus shelter and while riding a bus. Riders should allow at least six feet of clearance for arriving buses to allow riders to disembark prior to approaching to board a bus.
  • Please DO NOT ride O.U.T. buses if you are experiencing Covid-19 or other flu-like symptoms.
Visit Oxford University Transit for routes and schedules.
Gate Operations
  • Traffic gates on All-American Drive, Student Union Drive, and Athletics Lane will be lowered starting Thursday, August 13.
  • Gates on All-American will return to operating on a fixed schedule in which they will be closed weekdays from 7 a.m.-5 p.m., and remain open on weekends. During periods when the gates are closed, traffic will be limited to buses, authorized service vehicles and emergency vehicles.
  • Gates on Student Union Drive and Athletics Lane will remain closed 24/7 to all traffic except buses, authorized service vehicles and emergency vehicles.
Please contact the Department of Parking and Transportation at 662-915-7235 or parking@olemiss.edu if you have questions.
C19 Ambassador Program
Students, staff and faculty are invited to serve as a C19 Ambassador to provide encouragement and information to members of the university community about how to follow health and safety protocols established for the return to campus. C19 Ambassadors may be eligible to receive credit for community service. The next C19 Ambassador training session is Thursday, August 13 at 12 noon. Visit the C19 Ambassador application link for additional information about the program and to sign up.
Featured FAQ
What should I do if I have been tested for COVID-19 and I am awaiting results?
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) offers important guidance to monitor your health and avoid spreading the disease to others. If you have symptoms of COVID-19:
  • While waiting for the results of your test, isolate yourself and your household contacts should stay at home. (If household contacts are healthcare workers, they are encouraged to contact their employer. They may still be allowed to work while wearing a mask).
  • Stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home to the extent possible. Use a separate bathroom, if available. Other household members can consider staying in a separate location, if available, to decrease their risk of exposure.
  • For more information, see the CDC’s guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19 at home.
  • If you must leave home, such as to seek medical care, wear a surgical mask if available.
  • If your results are positive, you will need to isolate for 14 days from the time your symptoms started.
Read the full guidance from MSDH.
University COVID-19-related news stories

Students

Campus Rec
Campus Recreation facility operations will be conducted based upon national, state, local, and university guidelines. Operational procedures will be revised as guidelines are updated. Campus Rec is committed to keeping the health and safety of its patrons as the top focus of its operations, and your assistance in abiding by operational guidelines will be essential for service delivery. Read more about COVID-19 resources and re-opening plans.

Patrons must reserve their time slot by registering on the OleMissCR App or at the Campus Rec Intramural site. It is expected that patrons create their IMLeagues account on the Intramural site and register for time slots prior to arriving to the facility. See hours of operation through August 23.

Faculty and Staff

Faculty Town Hall
Faculty are invited to a Town Hall via Zoom on Friday, August 14 at 8:15 a.m. The one-hour Town Hall will provide faculty an opportunity to ask questions about the university’s COVID-19 response and Fall 2020 planning and preparation. Advance registration is required, and there is a limit of 1,000 attendees. Please register here to receive the Zoom link.
https://olemiss.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZeAB30sWTlWdimpzSwikKQ
If you need captioning to access this live video content or other access assistance related to a disability, please email Rod Guajardo. The Town Hall will be recorded and made available for viewing on demand.
Attendees will be able to submit questions during the Town Hall, or they can be submitted in advance to marcomm@olemiss.edu. Please indicate “Faculty Town Hall Question” in the subject line.
Staff Town Hall
Staff are invited to a Town Hall via Zoom on Tuesday, August 18 at 10:15 a.m. The one-hour Town Hall will provide staff an opportunity to ask questions about the university’s COVID-19 response and Fall 2020 planning and preparation. Registration is required and there is a limit of 1,000 attendees. Please register here to receive the Zoom link.
https://olemiss.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tCeoMi8sT8WjehvbA5CaJw
If you need captioning to access this live video content or other access assistance related to a disability, please email Rod Guajardo. The Town Hall will be recorded and made available for viewing on demand.
Attendees will be able to submit questions during the Town Hall, or they can be submitted in advance to marcomm@olemiss.edu. Please indicate “Staff Town Hall Question” in the subject line.
Academic Protocols
The Academic Planning and Experiences subcommittee has published the following COVID-19 protocol documents:
Telecommuting
As we near the start of the Fall semester, priority is given to preparing student services areas and classrooms. Some faculty and staff may be able to continue to telecommute, which allows employees to work at home or in a satellite location for all or part of their workweek. Temporary telecommuting arrangements may continue to be approved amid COVID-19 concerns.

Other Things to Know

UMMC and MSDH are hosting mobile COVID-19 sample collection sites. The appointment-only testing is free of charge. Mississippians who want to be tested must first complete a free screening from a UMMC clinician through an online questionnaire found at umc.edu/covidscreening. Or, they can call the UMMC Center for Telehealth at 601-496-7200 on Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Anyone determined to need testing will be given an appointment date and time at the testing site most convenient.
  • Weekly, Monday-Saturday: Jackson, West Street Farmers Market
  • August 13: Meridian, Lauderdale County AG Center
  • August 13: Canton, Canton Multipurpose Complex
  • August 14: Columbia, Columbia Exposition Center
  • August 14: Starkville, Oktibbeha County Safe Room
  • August 15: Ripley, Tippah County Coliseum
  • August 15: Yazoo City
  • August 17: Heidelburg, Heidelburg High School
  • August 17: Oxford, Lafayette County Arena
  • August 18: Vicksburg, Pemberton Square Mall
  • August 18: Columbus, Lowndes County Soccer
  • August 19: Pontotoc, Pontotoc County Agri-Center
For other testing locations available statewide, please visit the MSDH website. Those testing locations are not affiliated with UMMC and have their own screening and appointment processes.
List of Coronavirus-related restrictions in every state
 
NYT’s interactive guide to understanding and identifying COVID-19 symptoms
 
World Mask Week (August 7-14) promotes the use of face masks as one of the best tools to fight the pandemic 
 
A team of researchers at Columbia University established Wearing is Caring to educate about wearing masks properly, answer questions and dispel myths, all based on current research.
 
Researchers created a test to determine which masks are the least effective
 
Mississippi State Department of Health Immunization Records and Forms Online
On the Lighter Side
Important Links
University studies and surveys
There are university studies and surveys underway that welcome your participation. Below is information on how you can learn about them and participate.