Information on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Please see below for the latest update from Moore regarding our response to the COVID-19 public health crisis and the steps the College is taking to continue to support the community during this time. For an archive of past communications and updates, please click the COVID-19 Advisory Timeline link in the navigation below.

Looking for fast answers to your questions before visiting campus? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

LATEST UPDATES FROM THE PRESIDENT

Fall 2022 Return to School COVID Protocols: August 11, 2022

Dear new and returning Moore students:

We are looking forward to seeing you back on campus for the start of the fall 2022 semester in just a few short weeks!

In lieu of the highly contagious COVID-19 BA.5 subvariant, now the dominant strain of COVID-19 throughout the country, residential students will be required to perform self-testing, both before and after arriving on campus.

All residential students must take a negative COVID-19 rapid test within 48 hours (2 days) before moving into the residence halls, and then again on move-in day.

This double-test strategy is the most efficient and thorough way to identify students who might test positive prior to travel or immediately after travel, given the short incubation period of the BA.5 subvariant. If you do not currently possess any at-home rapid tests, we encourage you to stock up and bring a supply with you for the fall semester. Most insurance providers will send free tests, or you can order free tests online from the federal government.

Any students who test positive in the 48-hour window prior to coming to campus should immediately inform our Student Affairs team at studentaffairs@moore.edu, then stay home until it is safe to travel, per current CDC guidelines for isolation: a minimum of five days, assuming you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving at that time, followed by five additional days of wearing an N95 or KN95/KN94 mask in public spaces. Those who test positive upon arrival to campus will be expected to isolate per the same guidelines.

While the College is not mandating masks at this time, we understand that some students and employees will choose to wear masks for personal or health-related reasons. We encourage members of our community to wear a mask, regardless of requirements, in the following situations:

  • if you are not up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccinations
  • if you are personally at high risk
  • if you are in frequent close contact with someone who is high risk
  • if you have COVID symptoms
  • if you test positive for COVID (after which you should isolate, per CDC guidelines)
  • if you go to an airport
  • if you have been exposed to someone with COVID
  • if, for any reason, you want to

We expect and encourage everyone in our community to be respectful and understanding of each other’s choices regarding masks.

It is our hope that these measures will aid us in coordinating a successful move-in and a safe start to our 2022–2023 academic year. Thank you for looking out for yourselves and each other, and for being proactive members of the Moore community.

Best Wishes,
Cathy Young

To review all past updates, please visit our Advisory Timeline page

Additional Resources

Safety Precautions

  1. If you are a student and experience a fever or other flu-like symptoms, call Student Health Services to speak to our nurse (215.965.4032). If you are faculty or staff, stay home and contact your supervisor, Human Resources and Primary Care provider.
  2. If traveling and feeling unwell, seek medical care. International SOS or your health insurance can be a good source of information regarding accessing care.
  3. Get a flu vaccine: They are available by walk-in at local pharmacies. Seasonal Influenza occurrence in Philadelphia remains high and vaccination is the best preventive measure.
  4. Use good hand hygiene: Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, taking care to wash between your fingers and thumbs, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  5. Limit the spread of germs and illness: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. Refrain from touching your face, especially your mouth, eyes and nose. Avoid shaking hands and avoid sharing food, drinks, utensils, cups, vapes/JUULs, etc.