1/19/21 | COVID-19 Protocols Update

Dear Students,

Thank you for your impressive efforts to ensure a safe and successful start to our spring semester. Despite the challenges posed by Omicron, we have managed to minimize its impact on our community thus far. We are indeed learning to live with the virus.

Still, the situation is fluid and evolving. Masking, handwashing, social distancing, and vaccinations remain our best tools against Covid-19, and we will continue to utilize each to our advantage. With that in mind, I would like to share the following updates with you:

Vaccine Status

If your vaccination status has recently changed, please contact Health Services to update your records.

Students who have not received a booster shot will participate in randomized weekly surveillance testing conducted through MMA’s Health Services office.

The cost of these tests will be the unboosted individual’s responsibility as it is an individual decision to remain unboosted. Individuals who decide to remain unboosted will be charged at the end of the spring semester for all testing that occurred after February 1, 2022.

Summer 2022 Sea Term

Individuals participating in cruises aboard TSSOM or Schooner Bowdoin this summer will need to be up to date on vaccines three weeks before departure. This will help prevent serious illness aboard the vessels this summer and protect the mission of each cruise.

Note: ‘Up to date’ means a person has received all CDC recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible.

Cadet Shipping and Coops

Our Career Services Office anticipates that most companies that host MMA students aboard their vessels or at their worksites this summer will require individuals to be up to date on vaccines. With that in mind, we strongly encourage you to receive a booster shot if and when you are eligible.

Note: ‘Up to date’ means a person has received all CDC recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible.

Athletics

The NCAA has recently modified its COVID rules concerning intercollegiate competition such that any unboosted student athlete must be tested three times per week.

Please note that the cost of these tests will be the unboosted individual’s responsibility as it is an individual decision to remain unboosted. Athletes who decide to remain unboosted will be charged at the end of the spring semester for all testing that occurred after February 1, 2022.

Vaccine Clinic

Northern Light will host a second booster clinic on campus in March. Details regarding the clinic will be released in the coming weeks.

Quarantine

As a reminder, being boosted limits the risk of serious illness from Covid-19 and changes quarantine requirements: boosted asymptomatic close contacts (exposures) do not have to quarantine. Per new CDC guidance, positive cases must isolate for 5 days; unboosted close contacts must quarantine for 5 days.

A significant advantage to being boosted is that asymptomatic close contacts do not have to quarantine and thus results in limited interruptions to academic and extracurricular activities.

Masking

As a reminder, masks must be worn properly when indoors at MMA (unless you are alone in your room or workspace, or when you are eating and drinking). Please be sure that your mask fits well and covers both your nose and mouth. Gaiters and face shields are no longer acceptable.

Thank you again for everything you do to keep yourself, and our community, safe. I am proud to be a part of this community and to be meeting the challenges that we’re confronted by with you.

Sincerely,

signatureBill

____________________
Dr. William J. Brennan
President
Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, Maine 04420
207-326-2220