Masks
- City Colleges is mask optional (encouraged) in all settings.
- Our Security teams will continue to maintain a stock of disposable masks for individuals that may have forgotten to bring their own and need one for the day.
Health & Safety at City Colleges
The health and wellness of our students, faculty, and staff are our highest priority.
As such, the following measures have been implemented across all seven City Colleges and at the District Office:
Vaccination
- City Colleges strongly encourages all faculty, staff, and students to get vaccinated. Please use the City of Chicago Vaccine Finder to find a convenient vaccination option for you.
TESTING POSITIVE
In the unfortunate event you test positive for COVID-19, stay at home until your symptoms are improving and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours. Please refer to CDC guidelines for more information on preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you are sick.
Please keep in mind that there is no longer a quarantine period for COVID-19. Employees that are not working should continue to keep their supervisor informed. If the absence is greater than three days, a doctor’s note is required to return to work. Lab test results are no longer an exception for this process.
Improving symptoms means that a person is starting to feel better, and the body is returning to normal after an infection. Symptoms can be used as simple indicators to help people make decisions about preventative strategies, such as how long to stay home or when to return to work or school. A respiratory virus infection can have many types of symptoms, some of which can last beyond when someone is infectious, such as a lingering cough. As such, having a single symptom or a combination of symptoms is not as important as the overall sense of feeling better and the ability to resume activities. Fever is mentioned as a specific symptom because people tend to be more infectious when they have a fever.
When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next five days, such as masking, physical distancing, if possible, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.
If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then, take added precautions for the next five days.
Remember, symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.
For more information, please consult the CDC’s Frequently Asked Questions.
Breathe Easy: Learn more about City Colleges’ ventilation systems:
FAQs
Below, please find answers to some of the questions you may have.
Not seeing the information you need? Send an email to covid19@ccc.edu.
Are vaccinations required to enroll in courses or work on campus?
- City Colleges strongly encourages all faculty, staff, and students to get vaccinated.
- As of July 14, 2022, faculty, staff, and students are no longer required to test weekly for COVID or show proof of vaccination.
Where can I get vaccinated?
- The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated. Please use the City of Chicago Vaccine Finder to find a convenient vaccination option for you. You may also call the City of Chicago helpline at 312-746-4835 for additional assistance.
Does City Colleges offer COVID-19 testing?
- As of August 2022, City Colleges no longer offers on-campus testing. Information on testing options throughout Chicago can be found here.
Do I have to wear a mask in City Colleges buildings?
- City Colleges is mask optional (encouraged) in all settings.
- Our Security teams will continue to maintain a stock of disposable masks for individuals that may have forgotten to bring their own and need one for the day.
Do I have to complete a health screening before I enter a City Colleges location?
- As of July 14, 2022, in-person students, faculty, and staff are no longer required to show a health check screen when you arrive at your college.
What has been done to address air quality and filtration?
- All City Colleges facilities’ HVAC systems are put into operation at least an hour before occupancy and are run for an additional air exchange after occupancy. We follow the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) guidance on air exchanges per hour (target goal is two air exchanges per hour). City Colleges systems use a variety of different filters across the district, each with its own specifications and requirements to match the manufacturer recommendations for the equipment. Outside air and return air are filtered before being supplied to public areas. We have increased outside flow and enhanced filtration to keep impurities out of the air at a higher efficiency down to the micron level.
- You can watch this video to learn more.
What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?
- In the unfortunate event you test positive for COVID-19, stay at home until your symptoms are improving and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours. Please refer to the guidance above under “TESTING POSITIVE” and the CDC guidelines for more information on preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you are sick.
What should I do if I’m feeling sick?
- If you’re feeling sick, remember that your first goal should be to return to health. Please refer to CDC guidelines for more information on preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you are sick.