COVID-19 public health updates regarding protocol changes, in-person events, guests in residence halls and rapid antigen tests
Changes to OHIO COVID-19 Protocol
Effective immediately, the University is implementing changes to its COVID-19 Protocol based on recent policy changes from the Ohio Department of Health and the Athens City-County Health Department.
Individuals who meet the following criteria are not required to quarantine after a known exposure to COVID-19 (but still are required to follow the protocol, which includes submitting an incident report, testing, and masking):
- Students who live off campus, faculty, and staff.
- Residential students who are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines or who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days, provided their vaccination and/or booster record is on file with the University.
Students who live in residence halls who are not up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines or who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to quarantine in addition to other steps outlined in the protocol.
These changes affect only the exposure section of the protocol. Protocols for testing positive or experiencing symptoms are unchanged.
All OHIO students, faculty, and staff are required to follow the OHIO COVID-19 Protocol if they test positive, experience symptoms, or are exposed to COVID-19.
Information about the COVID-19 Protocol, exposure and quarantine, and how to upload your vaccination and booster records is available at this webpage.
Rapid antigen tests available on all campuses
The Ohio Department of Health has made available a limited supply of BinaxNOW rapid antigen tests for colleges and universities. These tests are now available for students, faculty, and staff on all OHIO campuses (limit one per person per week).
- Athens campus: Pick up BinaxNOW tests at the 4th Floor Service Desk in Alden Library and at the Office of Health Promotion, Baker Center 339.
- Regional campuses: Pick up BinaxNOW tests at same locations where Vault Health at-home test kits are available.
Rapid antigen tests can be a helpful tool to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Antigen tests detect the presence of a specific viral antigen, which implies current viral infection, so they are useful to self-administer before attending a gathering or visiting with a high-risk individual. They also can be used to check health after traveling or participating in higher-risk activities, such as crowded gatherings.
This webpage provides information about when and how to use antigen tests, interpreting and reporting results, and where to get tests.
University returns to in-person gatherings, food at events, visitors in halls
Based on a four-week decline in COVID-19 cases among Ohio University’s campus community, the University has removed some of the COVID-19 prevention measures put in place during the omicron surge:
- In-person events, gatherings and meetings are again permitted.
- Food and drinks are again being served at University events.
- Students who live in residence halls may again host guests.
The masking requirement remains in effect, along with required asymptomatic testing programs and other public health measures. University leadership will continue to evaluate campus safety and adjust public health measures accordingly.