University News

WIU COVID19 Update: Mandatory Weekly Testing Continues for Unvaccinated, Quarantine/Isolation Protocol Changes, Face Coverings Required and More

February 17, 2022

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Mandatory weekly testing remains in place for Western Illinois University faculty, staff and students* who are unvaccinated and who are physically on WIU's campuses. Testing is held on the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses. Surveillance testing has been discontinued at this time. Protocols, including testing, face coverings and other measures, could change depending on circumstances and health guidance.

Weekly Testing Clinics

Testing continues to be required each week for those individuals (WIU faculty, staff and students) who do not want to, or cannot, receive the vaccination. Individuals may opt out of testing if proof of vaccination is provided. Regardless of reason, if an individual is physically present on either WIU campus, they are responsible for testing for that respective week (unless fully vaccinated). Additionally, any vaccinated employee who wants to test voluntarily may continue to do so.

Those who do not follow the testing protocols will be subject to disciplinary action and could result in the following loss of privileges including, but not limited to, class registration, time off without pay, suspension of student employment, recreation center access, assistantship employment, event/gathering access and commencement participation.

WIU-Macomb, Student Recreation Center MAC Gym (south gym)

Mondays & Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wednesdays & Thursdays, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Macomb faculty, staff and students should schedule in advance for an appointment at bit.ly/WIUCOVID19Testing.

WIU-Quad Cities, Riverfront Hall reception desk

Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Fridays, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Individuals may opt out of testing if proof of vaccination is provided. Unless fully vaccinated, any individual who is physically present on either WIU campus, no matter the length time, is responsible for testing for that respective week. Vaccinated students, faculty and staff are welcome to test voluntarily at any time.

* Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days do not need to participate in weekly testing and should submit their documentation to studentcovidhelp@wiu.edu.

Face Coverings & KN95 Mask Distribution

Beginning Monday, Feb. 28, to comply with the November 2021 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in place with the University of Professionals of Illinois (UPI) WIU Chapter 4100, along with federal guidelines, face coverings will continue to be required in all indoor spaces, and GoWest/public transportation at both the WIU-Macomb and WIU Quad-Cities campuses. Face covering protocols (http://www.wiu.edu/policies/covid_facecovering.php) could change depending on circumstances and guidance.

Individuals must ALSO wear a face covering when they have been exposed to a positive COVID case, are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and/or have tested positive. Refer to wiu.edu/returntocampus, and click on "Face Coverings" for the most up-to-date information.

Members of the Leatherneck community should not assume an individual's vaccination status, exposure or symptomatic status based on whether or not a face covering is worn.

While KN95 use is not required, WIU will provide KN95 masks to students, faculty and staff. To help conserve supplies of the masks, individuals should take only one per week. Faculty, staff and students can pick up a KN95 mask, along with a WIU cloth mask, at the University Testing Center, Residence Hall Information desks and University Union Service Center on the Macomb campus, and the Riverfront Hall reception desk on the Quad Cities campus.

Free At-Home Test Kits

University community members are encouraged to request their free at-home antigen-based test kits at https://www.covidtests.gov/. While the results cannot be used to meet the compliance of the University PCR-based testing protocols; the use of the at-home kits are encouraged to help with monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms.

Quarantine & Isolation Protocols Update

As guidance continues to be refined by the Centers for Disease Control and public health entities regarding quarantine and isolation, beginning Monday, Feb. 21, WIU will amend its quarantine and isolation protocols (e.g. 10 days to five days quarantine/isolation if individuals meet certain criteria). For complete information, including updated protocols, visit wiu.edu/returntocampus and click on the "Quarantine & Isolation."

Events/Meetings

At this time, all University-sponsored events and meetings must be reviewed before being allowed to proceed. Please click here for additional protocols and guidelines. Any University-affiliated event or gathering regardless of location must be registered, have on file a control plan and submit a Campus Scheduling Form with the University Scheduling and Event Services Office. Events being hosted on the WIU-Quad Cities campus should complete and submit the following form located HERE.

Proof of Vaccine Card Upload

Visit bit.ly/WIUVaxCardPortal to upload the COVID-19 vaccination card. Students (undergraduate and graduate students, including graduate assistants and teaching assistants) should upload to the "Student" portal, while WIU employees should upload to the "Employee" portal.

Following a booster shot, individuals should submit updated information to the University. Members of the campus community can send an updated picture of their COVID-19 vaccination card to the following:

Students: beuhealthcenter@wiu.edu
Employees: rmep@wiu.edu

If individuals do not wish to upload the information, the vaccination card can be presented at the following locations: WIU-Macomb students: Beu Health Center; WIU-Macomb Employees: Sherman Hall 321 (Vice
President for Student Success Office); WIU-Quad Cities Students & Employees: Riverfront Hall reception desk.

Information

COVID-19-related information and protocols can be found at wiu.edu/coronavirus and click "Return to Campus."


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing