Millikin Updates COVID-19 Guidelines

With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rapidly changing their COVID-19 guidance, Millikin has been forced to shift their campus COVID guidelines.

“We’ve consistently tried to keep close to whatever the CDC and IDPH [Illinois Department of Public Health] is doing,” Vice President Raphaella Prange said. 

The updated guidelines were sent in an email to students from VP Prange on Wednesday, Jan. 19th. While some of the guidelines have been loosened, some have also been tightened. 

In the previous guidelines, individuals who tested positive were required to re-test on day five. This is no longer the case. If someone’s symptoms are beginning to resolve by day five and they have been fever-free for 24 hours, they are allowed to leave isolation and resume daily activity. 

Individuals who continue to feel ill on day five are asked to continue to isolate until symptoms reside. 

Similar to last semester, individuals are required to wear masks at all times inside buildings. Disposable medical-grade masks are available in the University Commons.

“We’ve said [face]shields are not an appropriate replacement for face coverings, but you can use them in addition to face masks,” Prange said.

Students are encouraged to double up on face masks—but it is not required. 

“Instead of giving one [mask] to a student, we’re going to double up and give two now because that does tend to add protection as well,” Prange said. 

All students, commuter and residential, are required to participate in entry testing before the semester begins. 

With the number of unknowns at this point, the campus community is encouraged to watch their email inbox for updates. Students, faculty, and staff are also encouraged to read Millikin’s COVID-19 webpage to answer any questions they may have at this time.