Protect Texas Together App

The new Protect Texas Together app helps individuals track their symptoms each day, and based on those symptoms, indicates whether they are cleared to come to campus. Learn more about the app here and download the app here. The app was developed by UT students and employees for UT students and employees, with a strong focus on protecting privacy. 

Some features of the Protect Texas Together are: 

• Users can track their symptoms each day with the app, which can provide a daily campus pass for those without any major COVID-19 symptoms. 
• If the app's algorithm determines that an individual may have COVID-19 based on the symptoms that person selected, the app will decline to provide a pass and instead direct the user to contact either University Health Services or UT Health Austin for guidance or testing. Faculty and staff members can also go to the provider of their choice. 
• Beyond daily symptom screening, the app allows users to easily and quickly log in and out of campus rooms (for contact tracing purposes), access local COVID-19 information and resources and connect their EID to a proactive community test ID, should they volunteer for asymptomatic testing. 
• For those without a smartphone, a phone-based survey application is also available by dialing 800-325-8903. This uses the same algorithm as the app to indicate whether a person is safe to come to campus, but works on any phone. The phone-based survey requires a unique access code, which is available here. Those without internet access or in need of further assistance should call the UT Service Desk at 512-475-9400. 
• Campus visitors without EIDs can use this symptom-monitoring app developed by the CDC if they wish. 

MBS Administrative COVID-19 FAQ and Updates

MBS Administrative COVID-19 FAQ and Updates:

Campus Masking Guidance

• Masks are strongly recommended while inside university buildings regarless of vaccination status.
• Recommended Protective Face Mask Guidance

 VPR Guidelines for on Campus Research Operations.

• Research operations have moved to Research Level 0 (100% workforce density limit). Resume normal, full-capacity research operations, including open core facilities, libraries/archives/collections, field research and human subjects research. 
  
  • Research only buildings will no longer be card access during the day. 
• Social distancing square footage requirements have ceased in on-campus spaces where research is conducted. The removal of the social distancing requirement applies to conducting on-campus research only. 
• All research group or lab meetings must continue to follow the university's meeting and event guidelines, and it is still recommended that you hold meetings virtually whenever possible. 
• Continue to observe all masking guidelines and rules and notify Occupational Health Program (OHP) if you or someone on your team has symptoms of COVID-19 or is tested for COVID-19.
• Be vigilant about maintaining printed or digital room logs for contact tracing. 
• Undergraduate researchers are no longer required to submit to proactive community testing (PCT) every two weeks as a condition of working in PIs' research spaces. Participants in Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) summer programs will still be required to quarantine for 7 days upon arriving in Austin, with testing on day 4 or 5 of their quarantine, but will not be required to receive periodic testing thereafter. 

Resources for Immunocompromised Staff and Faculty and their Families

The University of Texas has an ADA accommodation process for staff (and a separate process for faculty) who submit a request to protect themselves or their household members. The CDC guidelines include more about immunocompromised and other medical conditions. 

• Staff who do not have a personal medical condition or disability that makes them high-risk to COVID-19, but live with someone with such a dependent, should contact their supervisor to discuss flexible work options that may be available to them. 
• Faculty who do not have a personal medical condition or disability that makes them high-risk to COVID-19, but live with such a dependent, should fill out the faculty flexible teaching form. 

COVID-19 Leave Options effective October 1, 2021 - https://hr.utexas.edu/coronavirus/families-first-coronavirus-paid-leave

The federal paid leave included in the American Rescue Plan Act (Emergency Paid Sick Leave - EPSL) expired September 30, 2021 and has not been extended. Employees can no longer use the EPSL time code on their timesheets for absences related to COVID-19 beginning October 1. 

Additional paid time-off options and other resources available to you in the event that you are impacted by COVID-19 can be found here. 

For appropriate leave options related to COVID-19, please refer to the Human Resources teams (MBS, CNS HR, and or Central HR).

 General Administrative FAQ's and Updates

1. Entertainment Expenses - Updated June 30, 2021
   • Any non-essential expenses should be minimized or require the Dean's approval.
   • Please refer to https://afm.utexas.edu/hbp/part-9/1-1-entertainment-and-official-occasions-expenses for more information regarding entertainment expenses. 
2. What are the guidelines for meetings and events? - Updated August 2, 2021
   • Guidelines for meetings, events, and mass gatherings. 
   • Indoor Events
     • July 1 - August 15, no more than 75% occupancy
     • August 16 and beyond, 100% occupancy
   • Maintain attendee rosters for all meetings and events. Submit attendee rosters for contact tracing efforts and remit the roster to UT Health Austin via this form for potential public health use only. 
3. What are the current travel guidelines and policies in response to COVID-19? - Updated August 2, 2021
   
   • Domestic travel for business or study no longer requires exceptions by deans or vice presidents. Per the Handbook of Business Procedures, a created and approved RTA (Request for Travel Authorization) is still required. 
   • International travel must be essential and is considered High Risk through December 31, 2021. 
   • For more information, refer to the Travel Guidelines in response to COVID-19.
4. What are the Fall 2021 faculty/staff parking options? Updated August 2, 2021
   
   • For up-to-date information and deadlines, please visit the Parking and Transportation website. 
5. Custodial Services – Updated July 5, 2021
   • Custodial services have returned to normal pre-pandemic service levels, including entering research labs and offices.
     • Cleaning includes vacuuming, mopping of hard floors, dusting, and wiping with disinfectant cleaner in place of general purpose cleaner. 
     • Disinfectant misting systems utilizing CDC-approved disinfectants are incorporated into the disinfecting routines for classrooms and other public areas.
     • Daily restroom cleaning and disinfection of all restroom touch-points, fixtures, and floors. Touch-points include door knobs and handles, door push plates, stall door latches, faucet handles, flush handles, and dispenser levers. 
     • Occupants of personal spaces (offices and cubicles) are responsible for disinfecting their space and also for disinfecting shared office equipment such as copiers, fax machines, refrigerator door handles, coffee machines, microwaves, vending machines, etc.
   • Building prioritization will be as follows:
     • Research-focused buildings
     • Student-serving and classroom buildings
     • Office-focused buildings
   • Normal Cleaning Services and Hours
     • Porter service; hours 8am - 5pm, M - F
       • Porters are responsible for restocking paper products in the restrooms and ensuring public areas are clean. 
     • Routine cleaning services (including offices); hours 5:30pm - 2am, M - F
6. How do I get PPE or order PPE?
   • Mask supplies are still available for procurement from the STEM stockroom for those who choose to wear them on campus
7. What are the requirements for outside vendors, technicians, or any non-UT employee when entering UT Buildings?
   • All building occupants, whether UT affiliated or not need to follow all UT COVID-19 protocols (face coverings, social distancing, frequent handwashing, disinfection of surfaces). 
   • If PI’s are scheduling technicians, please ensure the technician confirms with the PI that they are not running a fever or showing any symptoms of the disease before and when they come onto campus.  They also need to acknowledge that if they end up testing positive for COVID-19 they need to inform the PI of this.

GENERAL BUILDING PROTOCOL

• Face Coverings / Masks are not required but recommended.
• Wash hands often.
• Please be cognizant of your surroundings when moving through buildings, maintain social distance as best you can.  This may mean waiting for someone to pass.  Please be respectful of others.
• Maintain contract tracing logs for your research spaces and your human subjects research. These can be digital or handwritten. 
• Please keep track of most recent UT COVID-19 information via utexas.edu website.
• If you have any questions or recommendations regarding building operations, please contact your building manager.

What to do when somebody in your lab shows COVID-19 symptoms?

FOR STUDENTS - please follow the guidance provided by University Health Services

What to do if you have COVID-19 Symptoms?

• Students should call the UHS 24-hour Nurse Advice Line 512-475-6877 for advice about how to get medical care. If you have UT Select health insurance, because you are also a benefits-earning employee of UT Austin, you may also call the 24/7 Nurseline provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield at (888-315-9473). 

FOR FACULTY AND STAFF - please follow the guidance provide by HealthPoint Occupational Health Program (OHP)

• Contact Occupational Health at 512-471-4647 or healthpoint.ohp@austin.utexas.edu to report COVID-19 symptoms or COVID-19 tests regardless of test results. Even if you test negative for COVID-19, you must report that you were tested. 
• Staff and faculty with UT Select insurance may contact the 24/7 Nurseline provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield (888-315-9473) or seek care from UT Health Austin or their personal healthcare provider. 

COVID-19 Symptoms (appear 2-14 days after exposure):

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. 

When someone is symptomatic:

Follow the above guidance above for students, faculty, or staff and then do the following:

• Put a quarantine notice on the door of lab and notify others to not enter. 
• Individual needs to immediately call the following: University Health Services for students 512-475-6877; Personal Health Care Provider, UT Health Austin, or Blue Cross, Blue Shield at 888-315-9473 for staff and faculty. 
• Individuals need to notify Kimberly Craig RN in UT Occupational Health: kimberly.craig@austin.utexas.edu. 
• Call Environmental Health and Safety at 512-471-3511 and inform about quarantine. 
• Notify individuals on your lab sign-in sheet of lab closure and that they should self-monitor. 
• Please respect confidentiality of (possibly) infected individual to the greatest extent possible. 
• Notify Department Chair. 
• Department Chair should notify Dean's Office. 

When someone receives a positive test result:

Follow the above guidance above for students, faculty, or staff and then do the following:

• Notify individuals on lab sign-in sheet that they should self-isolate for 14 days from their last exposure to that person. 
• Notify Department Chair that suspected case is now confirmed. 
• Department Chair should notify Dean's Office. 

COVID-19 Resources:

• Symptoms, Transmission, and Prevention 
• Testing for COVID-19 at UHS
• Self-reporting form for COVID-19
• Educational Tools
• Guidance for ending self-isolation and returning to regular activities after COVID-19 infection

What to do when an Employee (Faculty and Staff) shows COVID-19 symptoms?

• You must report your diagnosis to the HealthPoint Occupational Health Program (OHP) and to your direct supervisor. OHP values your privacy and is following privacy guidelines that allow the university to keep our workplace and your coworkers safe while still protecting individual privacy as much as possible.
  • healthpoint.ohp@austin.utexas.edu
  • 512-471-4647
• OHP will continue to monitor you daily using an online reporting tool and will provide you with guidance on your available leave options, including leave that may be available under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
• OHP will also identify any UT community members who may have come into close contact with you and will reach out to them directly with guidance on how to self-quarantine, self-isolate or self-monitor, as applicable.  

• Even if you test negative for COVID-19, you must report that you were tested to the HealthPoint Occupational Health Program
  • healthpoint.ohp@austin.utexas.edu
  • 512-471-4647
• You should not return to on-campus work until 24 hours have passed without symptoms and at least 10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms.
• You should practice self-isolation during this time. Self-isolation means that people with symptoms of COVID-19, with or without a positive test, separate from others, stay home and away from others who share a residence to prevent the spread of the virus. 

• If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you should report your symptoms to the HealthPoint Occupational Health Program regardless if you have been tested or not.
  • healthpoint.ohp@austin.utexas.edu
  •  512-471-4647

• UT Select insurance now covers the cost of medically necessary COVID-19 testing and treatment with in-network providers at 100% with no out-of-pocket costs. For more information, please visit the UT System Office of Employee Benefits COVID-19 webpage.
• New federal leave provisions are now available to employees impacted by COVID-19. 
• For more information, please visit​ the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Paid Leave​ webpage.
• More information about benefits, paid leave, and timekeeping can be found on the Employee Leave section of the Human Resources COVID-19 website. 
• You can also contact your local Human Resources representative for help with understanding federal leave provisions.

Helpful Resources:

• Print-ready PDF (English and Spanish): What happens if I think I might have COVID-19 as an employee of UT?
• Print-ready PDF (English and Spanish): What should employees do if they get tested for COVID-19 or have symptoms?
• Print-ready PDF: Guide on Social Distancing, Monitoring, Quarantine, and Isolation. 
• Remember that the Employee Assistance Program provides resources and services to help you manage stress and uncertainty during this time. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

COVID-19 vaccination appointments are open to members of the UT community and the general public age 12 and older. 

• Fill out the COVID-19 Vaccine Form to request an appointment. For all minors between the ages of 12 and 17, a parent or guardian must complete the UT Health Austin Minor Consent Form (also available in Spanish) prior to receiving a Pfizer vaccination. The completed and signed consent form is required at the time of the vaccination appointment. 

All vaccine appointments (including walk-ins) are now taking place at UT Health Austin on the 1st Floor of the Health Transformation Building (HTB), located at 1601 Trinity Street, Bldg. A, 1st Floor, Suite 1.108, 78712. 

• Regular hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Walk-in hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:20 p.m.

For more information, please visit this website. 

COVID-19 Information and Resources

Proactive Community Testing (PCT) for COVID-19 - Drop In or Appointment proactive (i.e., symptom-free) COVID-19 testing

Check the General Schedule for locations and times.

• Testing available at SSB, Jester Corner, and The Union every weekday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (some sites close for lunch from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.)
• Please make an appointment for testing at the SSB or Jester Corner locations through the MyUHS portal. Walk-ups are available at the Union and other locations.
• Results available same day.

Third Doses and Booster of Pfizer Available at UT Health Austin

• UT Health Austin is now offering third doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to eligible immunocompromised patients (per CDC guidelines) 28 days following their second dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. 
• They are also offering Booster doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to eligible patients (per CDC guidelines) 6 months following their second dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
• By appointment only

COVID-19 Signage

Research Restart - CNS Research Restart Resources

University of Texas COVID-19 - The latest information on campus operations, social distancing and preventative measures 

VPR COVID-19 Research FAQ

CNS COVID-19 Resources - The College of Natural Sciences wiki contains resources to support staff and faculty as we navigate changes brought about by COVID-19.

Emergency Preparedness - Email emergencypreparedness@austin.utexas.edu to request gloves, hand sanitizer, and disposable and cloth masks.

CDC Guidelines 

Faculty Decision Tree - In-person/Hybrid classroom or Lab

Semester Planning Website

UT Austin COVID-19 Dashboard - Track case numbers

Campus Announcements - All COVID-19 related communications

COVID-19 Exposure Guide for In-person/Hybrid classroom or lab

Some reminders: 

• If you have any COVID-19-related questions or concerns, you can call the recently expanded Behavior Concerns and COVID-19 Advice Line at 512-232-5050 or submit your COVID-19 questions online. 
• Wear your mask, wash your hands consistently, practice social distancing whenever possible, and embrace the tenets of the Commitment to Protect Texas Together. 

Zoom

ZOOM ITS Website

• Teach with Zoom
• Work with Zoom
• Start a Meeting
  
• Join a Meeting
• Zoom Training
  
• Zoom Support

TIDES Zoom + Remote Teaching Resources

Trainings

Below is a mix of University and third party online courses and trainings

• CBRS Online Short Courses - Courses on topics ranging from cromputational biology and research methodology represented in our core facilities
• Ask TaqMan- Thermo Fisher Scientific present "Ask TaqMan" - the YouTube video series dedicated to anything and everything real-time PCR
  
• 10X Genomics 
  
• Illlumina videos
  
• Illumina webinars
  
• NEB
• Khan Academy
  
• Code Academy
  
• HR Training: UT users have access to the LinkedIn Lynda Library, UT Learn, and HR Trainings 

Personal and Family Resources

• Priscila Pond Flawn Child and Family Laboratory - The Family Resources section offers guidance on coping with COVID-19, including talking with children about the coronavirus . The Learning at Home section is full of resources to help you keep children productively engaged while school is closed.
• UT HR Resources - Guide to Day to Day Living Under COVID-19