According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), frequent hand washing and disinfecting of surfaces aids in slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus, which may live on surfaces. The virus can be spread when a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches their nose, mouth or eyes.

• All public areas of the campus, including bathrooms, classrooms, hallways, lounge areas, conference rooms, stairwells, meeting rooms and any other areas where people move freely, will be cleaned and sanitized two times each day.
• Private areas such as staff and faculty offices will be cleaned once each day. Staff and faculty will have disinfectants at work stations and be instructed to wipe down desks, doorknobs and other frequently touched surfaces before and after visitors.
• Public areas on campus will be stocked with hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes or sprays (if available). Anyone may use these items to clean hands or wipe down surfaces when using public spaces.
• Signs reminding everyone to wash their hands frequently and to cover coughs and sneezes will be placed throughout campus.
• Sharing of devices such as phones, tablets, laptops, etc. is discouraged to avoid spreading COVID-19.
• The Moore Gymnasium and the Moore Family Fitness Center will be closed unless the Administration believes safety protocols are being followed to a degree that will allow it to be opened to a limited number of students at a time.
• Areas which have been used by persons who have been exposed to a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 or who have a confirmed positive test of COVID-19 will be sanitized. If practical, a 24-hour waiting period will be observed prior to cleaning (to protect Maintenance staff).

For simplicity, the term “mask” refers to surgical masks, respirators or cloth face coverings. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a cloth mask and reserving surgical masks for health care workers. Wearing a mask slows the spread of the novel coronavirus by filtering a percentage of particles out of the exhalation of infected people, who may or may not show symptoms.

• Wearing a mask is proven to protect others in case you are infected and don't yet know it. It is not a sign of weakness or fear.
• No mask of any kind with a valve should be worn on SMC's campus, regardless of whether the valve is open or closed.
• All students, faculty and staff will be required to wear a mask covering the mouth and nose in any public space on campus, including classrooms, public areas of Residence Halls, lobbies, hallways, stairwells, meeting rooms, or any other spaces where people move freely.
• Masks will not be required when alone or outside; however, even outside, masks will be required when a distance of at least six feet cannot be maintained between people (students who live in the same Residence Hall suite do not have to social distance with each other).
• A supply of masks will be provided to all students, staff and faculty. Individuals may bring their own masks with them to campus. Students, faculty and staff will receive training in how to properly wear, disinfect and dispose of masks.
• All visitors to campus, including contractors, delivery persons, prospective students, families and the guests of students, staff and faculty, will be required to wear a mask in all public spaces on campus. Any visitor who does not have a mask must be provided with one by the SMC student, staff or faculty member who is the point of contact for that visitor. Free masks will be available for pick-up at designated areas on campus.

Social distancing is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a minimum distance of six feet between individuals (about two arms’ length). Social distancing slows the spread of the novel coronavirus by limiting a person’s exposure to droplets that carry the virus. These droplets may be spread through the air when an infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes.

• All members of the campus community will be required to maintain social distancing in all public spaces on campus, including classrooms, public areas of Residence Halls, lobbies, hallways, stairwells, meeting rooms, or any other spaces where people move freely. Masks are not a substitute for social distancing.
• Social distancing must be maintained while outside. Additionally, masks must be worn outside if social distancing cannot be maintained for short or long periods.
• All public spaces on campus will be modified to allow for social distancing and safe occupancy requirements. Students, staff and faculty agree not to rearrange or alter modifications (such as bringing in additional furniture, shoving desks/chairs together, etc.).
• Meetings of all sizes will be discouraged. All students, staff and faculty will be encouraged to use phone, text, email or video conferencing for meetings and discussions. In instances where face-to-face meetings must occur, social distancing, masks and hygiene requirements must be adhered to.
• Classrooms will be modified to include only enough seats to incorporate social distancing between students and between students and instructors. This means that classes will be split into cohorts of students who will receive in-person instruction on a rotating basis. The remaining instruction will be conducted online to maintain social distancing.
• Students who are quarantined due to illness or exposure to COVID-19 will be furnished with online instruction. Students who are unable to travel to campus for the entire semester or any period of time during the semester due to travel restrictions in their communities, health concerns or quarantine will receive instruction online for as long as is necessary during the semester.
• SMC will not require students to wear masks in their private Residence Hall rooms and suites. Therefore, living on campus must be an informed choice made by the student. In recognition of this risk, SMC will not require new students to live on campus and will allow any returning students to change their status from “resident” to “commuter” with no questions asked. Students who do choose to live on campus must agree to follow the procedures outlined in this document or risk eviction from their Residence Hall.
• Students who choose to live on campus but have an underlying medical condition that will make them at risk for severe illness may request a single room. Their medical condition must be confirmed by a physician.
• Barriers and shields will be used in spaces that cannot be reasonably modified to allow for social distancing (reception desks, cashier areas, etc.).
• Elevators will be limited to 2 passengers.
• Stairwells in all buildings will be unidirectional, either up or down.
• Access to campus buildings such as the Library, Chapel, Student Center, Bridges Arena and other spaces will be limited to allow for social distancing.
• Nonessential travel will be discouraged. All members of the campus community will be required to notify the college of the intent to travel by plane and to be aware of the level of community spread of the virus in their destination. Domestic travel will not require quarantine before returning to campus at this time.
• Students, staff or faculty will be required to notify the college of any international travel. Those who travel internationally will be required to quarantine for 14 days, as advised by the CDC. Students will be allowed to quarantine on campus or at home. Online instruction will be provided during that time.
• Students, staff or faculty who travel by cruise ship will be required to quarantine for 14 days, as advised by the CDC. Students will be allowed to quarantine on campus or at home. Online instruction will be provided during that time.|

Research shows that people who are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 may still spread the virus. For those reasons, the other three areas of protection (hygiene, masks and social distancing) can help prevent spreading the virus when you don't know you have it. However, because symptoms of COVID-19 are like other illnesses such as colds, allergies, etc., it is important for the campus community to be alert to symptoms that could mean they are infected with COVID-19.

• All students, staff and faculty will be required to report that they are symptom free before coming to campus each day (staff/faculty/commuting students) or leaving their Residence Hall rooms. This will be done using the HealthChampion app. This app does not track your location or capture private information. Report information will be kept confidential and only viewed by the appropriate individuals.
• If you need help setting up your HealthChampion app, read our how to guide.
• Anyone who reports the following symptoms will be required to quarantine  for a period of time and monitor symptoms for worsening or improvement.
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
• Students, staff or faculty who had the above symptoms may return to campus after following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for returning to normal activities.