Urban Health Program

As we continue to prepare for the start of the fall semester and we begin to increase campus operations, we would like to thank you again for all you have done during this challenging time in the university’s history. Our UIC community has once again demonstrated its resilience and ability to overcome the most serious of challenges, and we are most grateful for your contributions.

Public Health Measures

• Employees who work on campus should self-assess their health status before reporting to their workplace and should not report at all if they are not feeling well or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
• Face coverings are required on all university-owned or operated property. (Exceptions may be made only for individuals with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from safely wearing a face covering)
• Daily temperature and wellness screening of all university employees reporting to work on campus will be continued.
• Employees must adhere to public health social distancing and sanitization requirements, especially when eating or drinking.
• Upon arrival, employees should immediately wash their hands or use hand sanitizer.
• Gatherings of up to 50 people will be permitted if social distancing protocols are followed, and these limits will continue to be assessed throughout this phase.

Reopening Illinois

There is a continued decline in the rate of infection in new COVID-19 cases. Hospitals have capacity and can quickly adapt for a surge of new cases in their communities. Additional measures can be carefully lifted allowing for schools and child care programs to reopen with social distancing policies in place. Restaurants can open with limited capacity and following strict public health procedures, including personal protective equipment for employees. Gatherings with 50 people or fewer will be permitted. Testing is widely available, and tracing is commonplace.

https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/restore-illinois-phase-4

State of Illinois Community-Based Testing Sites. Open to all regardless of symptoms.

What is Social and Physical Distancing? 

Now that the novel COVID-19, has spread so rapidly  among communities in the United States and other countries, phrases such as “social distancing,” “self-quarantine” and “flattening the curve” are now apart of our day to day lives. What do they mean, and how might they apply to you, your family and your community?

While it may be disappointing to hear that so many sports events, cruises, festivals and other gatherings are being cancelled, there is a public health reason for these measures. These cancellations help stop or slow down the spread of disease allowing the health care system to more readily care for patients over time.

Cancelling events that are likely to draw crowds is an example of social and physical distancing. Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chances of catching COVID-19.

Other examples of social and physical distancing that allow you to avoid larger crowds or crowded spaces are:

• Working from home instead of at the office
• Closing schools or switching to online classes
• Visiting loved ones by electronic devices instead of in-person
• Cancelling or postponing conferences and large meetings

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-social-distancing-and-self-quarantine