New Vermont Guidance, Vaccination Documentation, and Workplace Safety

Dear Faculty and Staff,

We are writing to provide updates about new Vermont guidance for the COVID-19 pandemic, changes to Middlebury College workplace exposure control plans, and vaccination documentation requirements. 

Please note that the guidelines for the Language Schools arrival period have not changed, and students and faculty should continue to consult the Language Schools website for the latest information. 

New Vermont Guidance

With the news this week that more than 80 percent of eligible Vermonters are vaccinated, the state Department of Health has lifted most COVID-19 restrictions. This includes the removal of restart guidance for Vermont colleges, giving us the flexibility to modify some of our own guidelines and restrictions. As a result, we have updated our Working Safely at Middlebury website, and, consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, we no longer will require the use of face coverings for vaccinated individuals indoors or outdoors. Individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated must continue to wear face coverings indoors. Others also may choose to do so for health reasons and for personal choice, and we ask that you respect their decisions to do so. 

Specifically, we have updated the COVID-19 Exposure Control Plan and Checklist for Vermont locations. These documents are designed to help departments apply health and safety guidance in their work areas. All employees must review this information in its entirety so they have an understanding of the current workplace guidance for those living or working on campus. 

Face Coverings

The most current face covering requirements will be published on the Campus Status web page. While face coverings are no longer required for those who are vaccinated, following are some important exceptions:

• Some department tasks and situations will continue to require the use of face coverings, such as those working at the Language Schools Arrival Center between June 17 and July 1; health center staff who are in patient care settings; employees providing first aid; and employees transporting individuals who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.
• Some employees may choose to continue to wear face coverings, such as those who are immunocompromised, living with someone who is immunocompromised, have unvaccinated children at home, live with someone who is not fully vaccinated, or simply because they prefer to wear a face covering to prevent spread or exposure to other illnesses.

Vaccination Documentation

We continue to develop our system for vaccination verification and documentation for employees, and we will share information about that system in the coming days. Please remember to retain your original vaccination record so that you may provide it as proof of vaccination at a later time. We also recommend that you take a photo of your card as an additional record.

Thank you for your attention to these updates and for your work to support and prepare for summer programs.

Sincerely,

David Provost

Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration

Jeff Cason

Provost