Health and Safety Considerations for Academic Programs

• COVID-19 has been well-controlled in Tompkins County; our recommendations seek to maintain that.
• As Cornell re-opens, the goal is to prevent infections and transmission.
• The best COVID-19 prevention mechanisms include: limiting exposure to an infected person and using practices to avoid transmission (e.g., staying home if sick, physical distancing of six feet or more, use of face coverings and proper hand and surface hygiene). To prevent and eliminate transmission, Cornell has adopted a hierarchy of controls:
  • Elimination of possible exposure:
    • Wherever possible, people should not meet in person or convene in groups. All in-person university-sponsored events and activities are suspended at least through the end of September. This measure applies to any group activities or gatherings sponsored by a college, department, unit or lab — whether on or off campus. (Limiting gatherings)
  • Use of engineering controls to limit exposure or transmission:
    • Wherever possible, people should use physical barriers, such as sneeze guards and hands-free equipment, and other methods to support specific movement patterns. Where applicable, increased ventilation rates and filtration should be used to decrease the risk of airborne transmission. (EHS policies)
    • Signage may help with person flow and distancing. (Signage Resources)
  • Compliance with required administrative controls designed to limit transmission:
    • All Cornell employees who come to campus, and all students in the local area must participate in SARS-CoV-2 surveillance testing per schedule provided. (More details forthcoming)
    • Students must use the daily health-screening tool; employees must do this when coming to campus. (Daily Check)
    • Every person must have a face covering while on campus, and must wear it when inside buildings. (Face Covering Policy)
    • Wherever possible, people should maintain at least six feet of distancing from others. In settings with increased person-driven airflow (e.g., singing and music making, speaking at high volumes and exercise sessions), distance should be increased to a minimum of twelve feet. (NYS K-12 Policy)
    • High-touch surfaces should be disinfected on a regular basis using approved disinfection agents. (Cleaning Policy) (Disinfection Policy)
    • Travel beyond the local area is strongly discouraged. Visitors, unless expressly approved, are not allowed in campus buildings. (Travel Policy)
  • Routine use of personal protective equipment and processes:
    • Every person on campus must have a clean and appropriate mask or face covering on their person at all times. (Face Covering Policy)
    • Face coverings must be worn at all times when in buildings, except when in defined mask-free zones. (Face Covering Policy)
    • Face coverings must be worn any time >6 feet distancing cannot be ensured between people, including when outdoors. (Face Covering Policy)
    • Wearing a face covering does not replace the need for distancing or other measures. (Face Covering Policy)
    • When physical distancing for prolonged periods (e.g., more than one minute) is not feasible, face shields or safety goggles should be worn in addition to face masks. (Mask Policy)
    • Use of N-95 masks or respirators are not encouraged in any situation other than for approved medical needs or by Cornell Health clinicians. (Mask Policy)

To help keep the Cornell and greater Ithaca communities healthy, and our campus open, as you make programmatic decisions, please consider the following:

• We don't yet know how COVID-19 might impact the campus and local community as students return. The best way to prevent transmission is to avoid person-to-person contact.
• This semester will not be the same as a "normal" semester. We are supporting education in the time of a pandemic.
• Is this activity essential to an academic outcome or experience that can't be replaced in a later semester?
• Are virtual alternatives not acceptable? Why not?
• Do the benefits of in-person contact truly outweigh the risks of transmission?
• It is important to remember that COVID-19 transmission risk increases with:
• Inability to keep distancing of at least six feet
• Length of time in close proximity to other people who may be positive for COVID-19
• Limits related to airflow, filtering and circulation in a closed space
• High-touch surfaces that are not frequently disinfected
• Higher-volume and velocity airflow, such as singing, speaking loudly and yelling.

• Whenever possible, units should reprogram courses or activities for the fall to limit in-person contact. Faculty may consider hosting virtual labs; CTI can provide support.
• Situations where many people work side by side or speak at high volume may pose a greater risk for COVID-19 transmission; use of these spaces should be re-considered.
• Where multiple lab sections can be used to decrease person density and contact, this should be prioritized.
• If there is no other way to meet the educational need, laboratory facilities must be reconfigured, in line with EHS policy, and the plans must be approved by college or unit leadership, including college safety representatives. Unanswered questions may be submitted to: HSQA@cornell.edu.
• At a minimum, these plans must show:
• A 50% or greater reduction in room capacity
• How affected surfaces will be disinfected between each person's use
• How all appropriate PPE will be ensured (e.g., gloves, lab coats, goggles and masks)
• How 6-ft distancing will be maintained whenever possible, or how 12-ft distancing will be maintained where there is excessive breathing or yelling
• Where 6-ft distancing cannot be ensured for periods of time due to the content of the training (e.g., surgery), the plans must follow Cornell's Lab/PPE policy, and also show how instructors will:
• Strategically limit the time that people need to be closer than six feet
• Ensure all participants are wearing well-fitting, clean and appropriate face coverings at all times
• Ensure use of at least one additional barrier, including face shields, sneeze guards or Plexiglas barriers. N-95 masks are discouraged, unless there is a specific medical need.

• Fleet vehicle or bus transportation may be considered, but:
• Seating must align with Fleet Services policy (forthcoming):
• All riders must be cleared by the Daily Check
• Face coverings are required at all times
• No more than one person per row, staggered
• Windows should be open to increase airflow
• Heating ventilation and air conditioning system should NOT be on recirculating air mode
• Rider names and NetIDs must be logged
• All riders should sanitize their hands before and after riding the bus and may also consider sanitizing seats.
• Students are permitted to drive themselves in personal vehicles, but:
• A student driving their own vehicle must acknowledge that should an accident occur, their personal insurance will be primarily responsible
• A student driving their own vehicle must not transport another student, unless a liability waiver is signed
• Any student driving other students in their vehicle must follow the same guidance as described for fleet vehicles (above).

Music

• Singing and wind instrument use are high-risk activities for COVID-19 transmission. At this point, until we understand more about COVID-19 transmission within the Cornell community, we see this as a higher-risk activity that can be modified.
• Singing or playing wind instruments in groups in person should be avoided if at all possible. Singers and players are encouraged to use computer technology and higher-quality microphones and headphones for virtual practices.
• Singing or choral groups, and ensembles with wind instruments, are asked to only practice in person if conducted outdoors (tents with sides do not count as outdoors). In this case, plans that are in line with EHS policy must be developed and approved by college or unit leadership, including college safety representatives. Unanswered questions may be submitted to: HSQA@cornell.edu.
• At a minimum, these plans must show:
• How 12-ft distancing will be maintained whenever possible
• How affected surfaces will be disinfected between use
• How appropriate PPE use (masks) will be ensured
• The committee would like to support and encourage outdoor lessons, practices and even small concerts, and will be pleased to work with you to plan this.
• This guidance will be reconsidered in late September or early October, following student return to campus and re-assessment of community spread.

Physical Education

• Whenever possible, reprogram courses or activities for the fall to limit in-person contact and need for transportation or close contact.
• Whenever possible, use virtual meetings or locations that are outdoors. Enclosed facilities where people speak at high volume, or exercise in close proximity, may pose a greater risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission. Meeting outdoors is strongly encouraged.
• If there is no other way to meet the educational need, P.E. facilities that are approved by use by NYS must be reconfigured, in line with NYS policy and EHS policy. Plans must be developed and approved by college or unit leadership, including college safety representatives. Unanswered questions may be submitted to: HSQA@cornell.edu.
• For the types of facilities that are permitted for use, at a minimum, these plans must show:
• A 50% or greater reduction in capacity
• How 6-ft distancing will be maintained whenever possible, or how 12-ft distancing will be maintained where there is excessive breathing or yelling
• How affected surfaces will be disinfected between each person's use
• How all appropriate PPE (masks) will be ensured, if at all possible

• Where possible, meetings should be held virtually. This is for health and safety, but this also considers the need for mask use. Being able to see people’s faces may be more personable than offering support through masks.
• If support must be provided in person, physical distancing, face coverings and proper disinfection and airflow (doors and windows open) must be ensured at all times. Wearing a face covering does not replace the need for distancing or other measures. (Mask Policy)
• Student meetings may be held in larger rooms, space permitting and if privacy of conversations can be maintained. Meetings may also be held outside.
• It is important to ensure accessibility for students who cannot be in Ithaca or on campus in person; equitable virtual services must also be available.  
• It is important to ensure staff do not feel coerced to support in-person meetings.

• All in-person university-sponsored events and activities are suspended at least through the end of September. This measure applies to any group activities or gatherings sponsored by a college, department, unit or lab — whether on or off campus. (Limiting gatherings)
• Where possible, meetings or gatherings should be held virtually. This is for health and safety, but this also considers the need for mask use. Being able to see people's faces may be more personable than offering support through masks.
• If units deem in-person gatherings to be essential, they must be organized such that:
• Distancing (6-feet), face coverings, disinfection, and air flow (doors and windows open) are ensured at all times. Wearing a face covering does not replace the need for distancing or other measures. (Mask Policy)
• Outdoor gatherings should be prioritized, but must have fewer than 30 participants, all maintaining appropriate distancing (6-ft) and PPE.
• Indoor gatherings should be reconsidered unless absolutely essential. COVID-re-opening room occupancy must be strictly adhered to. There must be fewer than 30 persons in a group, all maintaining appropriate distancing and PPE.
• Food should not be served.
• Participant/attendee names and NetIDs must be logged (form forthcoming).
• It is important to ensure accessibility for students who cannot be in Ithaca or on campus in person; equitable virtual events must also be available.
• It is important to ensure staff do not feel coerced to support in-person meetings.

• Cornell faculty, staff and students are strongly encouraged to use remote and virtual communication practices whenever possible. This is for health and safety, but this also considers the need for mask use. Being able to see people's faces may be more personable than offering support through masks.
• In-person meeting is discouraged.
• If an in-person meeting must happen, faculty and students must wear face coverings properly, and must sit 6-ft away from each other.
• Plexiglas barriers in offices will not limit the need to wear face coverings.
• Meeting outside or in atria and buildings with significant airflow is suggested, rather than in faculty offices with reduced space and airflow, although faculty should consider the need for confidentiality based upon the purpose of the meeting.
• If a meeting must happen within an office, 6-ft distancing and masks are required, and windows and doors should be open.