Reminder: We have changed our COVID protocols

Posted: January 7, 2023

With the start of the spring semester, we are reminding you of changes we made to our COVID-19 protocols that became effective Jan. 1. We announced them in early December. 

We will no longer mandate isolation if you test positive for COVID-19, including results you receive through Gannon’s testing center. We are taking this step to encourage you to test for COVID and other illnesses that are circulating, including flu and RSV. The sooner we can determine the source of your illness, the quicker we can get you feeling better, and back to class or work. Please be sure that if you are a student placed on clinical rotations or fieldwork, you follow the requirements of your placement site. 

Our guiding rule remains that if you are sick, you should stay off campus and seek care – for your own well-being and out of respect for your classmates or colleagues. As with any illness, students will need to communicate any absences with their instructors and arrange for any missed work. Employees must notify their supervisor.

You should report your illness through the LiveSafe app or use this live link to the LiveSafe Health Screening Questionnaire, which will connect you to one of our nurses. They will advise you on next steps. 

We continue to provide free PCR testing for COVID at both of our campuses. For Ruskin tests, email Desi Herter at - herter001@gannon.edu. In Erie, we continue to test at the University Services Building, 406 Peach St., as well as in the health center for students and employees. To schedule a free test, email hlthcoun@gannon.edu. You can also be tested for flu and RSV at our Erie Health Center, for a small fee. 

In addition, we will only require vaccination for Gannon-sponsored travel if mandated by destination countries or partner organizations, whether international or domestic. Because ABST, Travel and most GIFT programs participants are already set for spring, this change might have little effect now, but we hope it assists you in your planning and facilitates participation in such opportunities in the future. 

Finally, for employees: We have discontinued our COVID-specific sick-day policy. Going forward, sick time related to COVID will be counted as it is for any other illnesses.  

If you have questions, please refer to https://update.gannon.edu/ or reach out through https://www.gannon.edu/questions-or-comments/.