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Health Announcements

GSW employees and students from Albany not permitted on campus during lockdown

  • 19 March 2020

To maintain the health and safety of the GSW campus community, all Georgia Southwestern State University employees living in Albany will NOT be permitted to come to campus for the duration of the 7 day shutdown of Albany scheduled to start tomorrow.

Employees who are able to telework should contact their immediate supervisor and develop a work plan and acquire the appropriate technology needs. 

Employees who are unable to telework, should contact Human Resources to determine how to report their status. 

Any students living in Albany who are scheduled to come move out of their residence hall will NOT be permitted on campus and should contact housing@gsw.edu to request an alternate move-out date. Alternative move-out dates will be permitted after March 27, 2020. 

For members of the GSW community, the best prevention measures for any respiratory virus, including COVID-19 are:

  • Adhere to social distancing practices and CDC guidance regarding groups and group activity.
  •  
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

While we understand the concerns and fear around COVID-19, it is extremely important to stay calm and maintain a close eye on your health and any symptoms that may arise. The symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Most cases of COVID-19 are mild with symptoms similar to a cold.

In addition, if you have recently traveled to areas where there are ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 and develop fever with cough and shortness of breath within 14 days of your travel, or if you have had contact with someone who is suspected to have COVID-19 and develop those symptoms, stay home and call your health care provider or local health department right away. Be sure to call before going to a doctor’s office, emergency room, or urgent care center and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

Information from Albany

Beginning tomorrow (March 20), the City of Albany is implementing

  • 7 day shutdown of all gyms, bars and recreational facilities (including theatres, bowling alleys, etc.)
  • No public or private gatherings of more than 10 people – including worship services, weddings, - only exception would be funerals – which are limited to graveside only of the immediate family of no more than 10 people and they must maintain social distancing of 6 feet.
  • 7 day restriction for dining in at restaurants – only using take-out,  drive-through, curbside pick-up, delivery
  • 7 day restriction for grocery stores and retailers – Stores can only have up to  25% occupancy at a time – with a max of up to 50 people for the larger retailers (basically The Albany Mall, Wal-Mart & Sam’s)

Health officials are taking precautionary measures to quickly identify cases of COVID-19 and take appropriate public health action to reduce its spread and protect the general public in identifying potential contacts.