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TCNJ COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

TCNJ does not have a COVID-19 vaccination requirement at this time. Staying up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will continue to be strongly recommended. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Information

Clinic Date: Monday, November 6, 2023, 12 noon – 2 pm., Education Building, 212

Registration and Appointments are Required. 

Please use this link to register and select your vaccination appointment time. 

Vaccination Code: TCNJ2023Moderna

Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

Please click here to read the email sent to our campus community about the COVID vaccination clinic.

COVID-19 Testing

Although most of us have some immunity from vaccination, infection, or both, we can still get COVID. Although the infection may be mild to moderate in most people, it is very contagious and disruptive. We need to be alert, mitigate our risk as much as possible, stay home when we are sick, and be prepared by having COVID-19 test kits, a working thermometer, some high-quality masks, and fever-reducing medicine at home.

Testing remains essential to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 to others. We are in the midst of the cold and flu season, and symptoms overlap. Testing is the only way to know if it is COVID-19. 

To obtain COVID-19 at-home self-tests: 

NOTE: Before you throw out “expired” tests, Check the FDA’s website to see if your COVID-19 tests’ expiration date has been extended.

  • Beginning September 25, 2023, every U.S. household can order four free COVID-19 rapid test kits delivered directly to their home. https://www.covid.gov/tests
  • Purchase tests online or in pharmacies and retail stores. Be sure that the test you use has been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
  • Students can purchase at-home self-tests from Student Health Services for $5 per test.

To obtain testing in your community: 

Masks

While the college does not currently have a mask mandate, anyone wishing to wear a mask is encouraged to do so. 

If You Have COVID-like Symptoms

Despite vaccination and/or previous COVID-19 infection, community members may become infected with COVID-19. Following the New Jersey Department of Health and TCNJ Isolation & Close Contact Protocol, any community member who is exposed to COVID-19 must adhere to the proper testing protocols:

  • Isolate. Stay home if you are ill or test positive. 
  • Get tested using an at-home COVID-19 test kit or by going to a testing site in your community. Students may also purchase self-testing kits for $5 at Student Health Services.
  • If you feel you need medical attention, contact your healthcare provider. Students can schedule an appointment with Student Health Services via OWL or by calling 609.771.2889.
  • If your test is negative, but you continue to feel ill, stay home and retest in 12-24 hours. An accurate result depends on following the printed instructions in the at-home self-test kit exactly as written.

If You Test Positive for COVID

On-campus Residential Housing Students

  • If you are a residential student, you are expected to: 
    • During College business hours: Contact The Housing & Residential Education Office at 609-771-2301 to notify them of your positive test.
    • Outside of College business hours: Please notify your CA or contact Campus Police at 609-771-2345 to notify them of your positive test.
    • Upload a picture of your positive COVID test to OWL. Include your name, PAWS ID #, and the date you tested positive in the picture.
    • Contact your professors and notify them of your absence for 5 days with day 0 being the date you tested positive. Your isolation instruction letter from Student Health Services can be shared with your professor to validate your illness.
    • If you need additional support or assistance contacting your faculty for flexibility, please complete a CARE referral.

Generally, all residential students are expected to complete their isolation period at home. https://housing.tcnj.edu/current-health-and-safety-updates/

The isolation period is 5 full days. Day zero is the day you test positive. On day 6 you may leave isolation as long as you have been fever free for a full 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and your symptoms have significantly improved.  You MUST wear a mask at all times when around others Day 6 through Day 10. Please be sure to purchase masks and bring them with you.

  • Call your doctor if you are at high risk for severe COVID. You may be a candidate for prescription antiviral medicine.
  • Your risk of getting COVID-19 again is significantly reduced for about 3 months. 

 Off-Campus Students

  • If you are a non-residential student, you are expected to: 
    • Upload a photo of your positive COVID test to OWL. Include your name, PAWS ID #, and the date you tested positive in the photo.
    • Contact your professors and notify them of your absence for 5 days with day 0 being the date you tested positive. Your isolation instruction letter from Student Health Services can be shared with your professor to validate your illness.
    • If you need additional support or assistance contacting your faculty for flexibility,  please complete a CARE referral.

The isolation period is 5 full days. Day zero is the day you test positive. On day 6, you may leave isolation if you have been fever-free for a full 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your symptoms have significantly improved.  You MUST wear a high-quality mask at all times when around others Day 6 through Day 10. Please be sure to purchase masks and bring them with you.

  • Call your doctor if you are at high risk for severe COVID. You may be a candidate for prescription antiviral medicine.
  • Your risk of getting COVID-19 again is significantly reduced for about 3 months. 

 Faculty & Staff

  • If you are an employee, report your positive test result to Human Resources by emailing COVID Documentation to covid-documentation-group@tcnj.edu.
  • You may make arrangements with your supervisor to partially or fully work remotely if remote work is an option. Your supervisor must notify the Office of Human Resources if remote work has been approved.  If you are partially working remotely, you would need to ensure open communication with your Supervisor to establish work expectations.
  • If remote work is not available, you may be covered under COVID leave upon submitting to the Office of Human Resources a positive antigen or PCR test result administered by a medical provider or testing facility.
  • You may use your own sick leave time without submitting a positive PCR test result, however this time would not be approved under COVID leave. Please note, if you utilize 5 or more consecutive sick days, it is required that you present a medical note to the Office of Human Resources clearing you to return to work. 

The isolation period is 5 full days. Day zero is the day you test positive. On day 6, you may leave isolation if you have been fever-free for a full 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your symptoms have significantly improved.  You MUST wear a high-quality mask at all times when around others Day 6 through Day 10. Please be sure to purchase masks and bring them with you.

  • Call your doctor if you are at high risk for severe COVID. You may be a candidate for prescription antiviral medicine.
  • Your risk of getting COVID-19 again is significantly reduced for about 3 months. 

Notify Your Close Contacts

As a courtesy, you should notify your close contacts. A close contact is defined as someone vaccinated or unvaccinated, regardless of previous COVID-19 infection, who was less than 6 feet away from a person with confirmed COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. 

Close contacts should wear a surgical mask or respirator (e.g. N95, KN95 or KF94) for a full 10 days any time when are around others inside your home/room or indoors in public and follow the TCNJ Isolation & Close Contact Protocol.

Close contacts should test themselves for COVID-19 infection on Day 6 or sooner if they develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 illness. 

No isolation or quarantine is required if you are a close contact.  You should still exercise the following precautions:

  • Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask.  
  • For travel guidance, see CDC’s travel webpage
  • Watch for symptoms (e.g., fever >100.4°F, cough, sore throat, etc.)
  • If you develop symptoms before the 5th day, isolate immediately and test for COVID-19.
  • A COVID-19 test is needed on the 6th day after your last exposure to someone with COVID-19. 
    • If you test negative, retest again in 24-48 hours. If the test remains negative and you do not have COVID-like symptoms, continue with masking and COVID precautions for the full 10 days.
    • If you test positive, regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms, isolate immediately and follow the instructions above for testing positive.

COVID-19 Resources

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