2024 COVID-19 Guidelines
PCA&D’s health and safety protocols will align with current CDC guidance.
Face masks/coverings optional
It is important to note that masks remain optional and are a personal choice. PCA&D fully supports anyone who chooses to wear a mask for whatever reason and expects all members of the campus community to be respectful of this choice. This guideline extends to PCA&D-sponsored student housing.
Should COVID-19 cases on our campus rise to significant levels or should Lancaster County move into the CDC’s high transmission category, the College may reinstate the indoor masking mandate and other personal safety policies.
Monitoring your health
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and can include…
- Fever over 100.4 degrees
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Muscle or body aches
Stay home
DO NOT come to campus if you are sick with COVID-19 or other infectious illness/virus.
Testing positive
You no longer need to notify the Health & Safety team if you test positive for COVID. Instead, follow CDC-recommended guidelines.
Excused absences
When the emergency mandate for distance education was lifted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, PCA&D transitioned back to hosting the majority of its courses through in-person instruction. Students should not expect that faculty will allow virtual attendance. Instead, faculty are advised to excuse absences connected to COVID-19 illness and quarantine or any other infectious illness.
Entering the building
Faculty and staff may enter the main entrance after 10am and the Water Street entrance from 7:30am – 5pm. Students may only enter through the main entrance. All other doors will be locked and not accessible. All doors will remain available for emergency exits.
Visitors to PCA&D
While the College is mask-optional, visitors should wear a mask based on their preferences, informed by their personal level of risk. Visitors should only come on campus if they are symptom-free and have had no known recent COVID-19 exposures. This includes prospective students and families, speakers, and event attendees.
Classroom occupancy
Classrooms will remain at full capacity unless there is a significant rise in positive cases on campus or Lancaster County moves into the high transmission category. The Atrium and meeting rooms will be guided by their normal occupancy rates.
Eating areas
Current designated eating areas include the Atrium, Co-Lab, 3rd-floor Cafe area, private offices, 5th-floor break room, and the Learning Commons. Only covered beverages are permitted in classrooms. No eating or drinking is permitted in the computer labs.
Campus cleaning
PCA&D’s facilities team will continue to clean the building based on CDC guidelines and the PCA&D Cleaning Manual. The PCA&D community can assist by following the cleaning protocol posted in public areas. Hand sanitizers are available upon request by contacting facilities@pcad.edu.
Your wellbeing
Self-care strategies are good for your mental and physical health and can help you take charge of your life. Take care of your body and your mind and connect with others to benefit your mental health.
We encourage employees to take advantage of PCA&D’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offered through Unum. Employees may access 24/7 confidential expert support via phone at 1-800-854-1446 or unum.com/lifebalance.
Additional questions?
Send any COVID-19 policy and protocol questions to the COVID
Health & Safety Team at health@pcad.edu
All artwork by Kristin Bere '22, Illustration