University of Georgia
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response

Frequently Asked Questions

Campus Information

Departments should determine for themselves whether to keep or remove plexiglass based on their needs/assessment. Most are free standing and can be removed by the unit if they choose. FMD is looking into setting up collection days and times to facilitate removal and disposal and will notify units when that plan is in place. 

Quickly find indoor and outdoor study spaces across campus with UGA’s interactive map.

Study spaces at a glance:

Need a spot to log in to your online class while on campus? Consider using one of the Zoom Zones at the Main Library or the Miller Learning Center. The Main Library’s fourth floor study room is perfect for engaging in classes because it’s a place where talking isn’t frowned upon. At the MLC, the east side of the second and third floors (near the stadium) are designated as Zoom Zones. Headphones are encouraged, but feel free to speak up and engage in your online class in those study spots.

The standard sizes advertised and made by FMD are 24”X30”, 36”X30” and 48”X30”.  Some custom installations are also available at the units’ request based on the specific needs of their faculty, staff and students which also determines the type, size, use and location of the plexiglass barriers.

If viral conditions change substantially, we will be ready to adapt to keep our community safe. We will continue to provide health and safety counsel to senior administrators as needed. We are constantly monitoring local, national, and global viral conditions and will make changes to our policies if necessary.

If necessary, the university will communicate with campus community members about protocols and other changes through emails, social media posts and updates to the COVID-19 website.

International students, especially those from countries impacted by COVID‑19, should:

  1. Exercise proactive measures around planned travel. Specifically, students should monitor airline service and immigration policy updates, and consider alternative plans if warranted.
  2. Consult with their UGA Immigration Services advisor if they have questions related to potential visa and immigration status implications.
  3. Contact UGA’s Department of International Student Life with any other questions or concerns.

The University System of Georgia (USG) continues to recognize COVID-19 vaccines and boosters offer safe, effective protection and urges all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to get vaccinated and/or boosted either on campus or with a local provider. As USG works closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health to prioritize the health and safety of campus communities, the system encourages people to wear masks based on their preference and assessment of personal risk.

Departments that are interested in having masks on hand can order them at no cost while supplies last through UGAmart. 

Learn more about proper masks and masking behaviors.

COVID-19

Students who are showing symptoms should seek care from the University Health Center. Please do not walk in. Make an appointment via telehealth or in person by calling 706-542-1162 or your primary care team’s number.

Employees who are showing symptoms should seek care and testing from a healthcare provider and may be required to self-quarantine.

The University System of Georgia (USG) continues to recognize COVID-19 vaccines and boosters offer safe, effective protection and urges all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to get vaccinated and/or boosted either on campus or with a local provider. As USG works closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health to prioritize the health and safety of campus communities, the system encourages people to wear masks based on their preference and assessment of personal risk.

Departments that are interested in having masks on hand can order them at no cost while supplies last through UGAmart. 

Learn more about proper masks and masking behaviors.

You can help prevent illness by taking several simple steps:

  • Practice good hand hygiene.
  • Do not touch your face, eyes or mouth unless your hands are clean.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve.
  • Stay home if you’re feeling sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Be open with your travel history or possible exposure to others.

As USG works closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health to prioritize the health and safety of campus communities, the system encourages people to wear masks based on their preference and assessment of personal risk.

DawgCheck

DawgCheck is an online tool used during the pandemic to help assess and respond to COVID-19 cases at UGA. Effective May 16, 2022, the University of Georgia has decommissioned DawgCheck as a reporting tool for positive COVID-19 cases but will maintain a license should it need to be redeployed.

Employee Benefits

USG provides an employee assistance program to employees and family members with free, comprehensive support through the KEPRO Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 1-844-243-4440.

UGA also offers additional support for employees, including:

  • Grief Counseling through MetLife (USG life insurance). Call 1-888-319-7819 for more information.
  • Kiz Adams/Human Resources, UGA Well-being Coordinator. Email wellbeing@uga.edu or call 706-542-7319.
  • The database of mental health professionals in the Athens area can be found here.

Yes, for COVID-19 related in-network provider visits and testing, out of pocket costs such as deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, will be waived (no cost) for you and any covered dependents if you are enrolled in one of the USG healthcare plans through Anthem BCBSGA or Kaiser Permanente (including employees enrolled in the Consumer Choice HSA).

It depends...

If you are eligible for FMLA and you have tested positive for COVID-19, then yes FMLA will be available to you.

If employees have only been exposed to the virus, FMLA is not applicable. However, they may still need to be quarantined, and applicable non-FMLA leave (to include sick leave) could be an option subject to standard request and approval procedures.

Financial Assistance

The CARES Act provided $11.8 million to be distributed to students in need due to the COVID-19 situation. At the University of Georgia, the funds were distributed as need-based grants, with the highest amount awarded to undergraduates who receive Federal Pell Grants.

Students must have a valid FAFSA on file and be eligible to receive federal student financial aid to be eligible for the HEER Fund grants. To submit a FAFSA, please go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Additional information on how UGA awarded these funds can be found here.

Health & Wellness

The University Health Center (UHC) is administering the COVID-19 vaccine for free to any eligible member of the UGA community over the age of 16. Vaccines are also offered by local health providers as well many pharmacies in the area.

  • Faculty and staff who would like to schedule a COVID vaccine appointment at the UHC may do so by calling 706-542-5575. 
  • Students may continue to schedule their COVID vaccine appointments online through the Patient Portal.
  • Beginning January 4, 2022, the UHC will only offer Pfizer vaccines for first, second and booster doses. Providers offering Moderna or J&J (Janssen) can be found at vaccines.gov/search.

Anyone who tests positive should isolate for 5 days, even if you are not experiencing any symptoms, regardless of vaccination status per the CDC. You are also strongly encouraged to share your test results with those you believe you were in close contact with so they may take appropriate measure to isolate.

There may be treatments available for some individuals with COVID-19.  Please see this link for further information on the CDC website.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, you are encouraged to contact Student Care & Outreach in the Division of Student Affairs at 706-542-7774 or visit sco.uga.edu. They will help you navigate any difficult circumstances you may be facing by connecting you with the appropriate resources or services.

UGA has several resources for a student seeking mental health services or crisis support. Need help managing stress, anxiety, relationships, etc. or want to be connected socially? Visit BeWellUGA for a list of free workshops, classes, mentoring and health coaching led by licensed clinicians and health educators in the University Health Center.

When it comes to your health and well-being, know that you have the support you need, any time, any place. Whether you are on campus, studying from home, or studying abroad, UGA is here for you. 

Students who are showing symptoms should seek care from the University Health Center. Please do not walk in. Make an appointment via telehealth or in person by calling 706-542-1162 or your primary care team’s number.

Employees who are showing symptoms should seek care and testing from a healthcare provider and may be required to self-quarantine.

DawgCheck is an online tool used during the pandemic to help assess and respond to COVID-19 cases at UGA. Effective May 16, 2022, the University of Georgia has decommissioned DawgCheck as a reporting tool for positive COVID-19 cases but will maintain a license should it need to be redeployed.

High quality CPR includes both chest compressions and breaths using a CPR face shield or CPR mask; however, as in any situation, if you do not have access to a shield or you do not feel comfortable providing breaths, you can provide only chest compressions (also called “Hands Only CPR”). Should someone need CPR, first call 911. Have someone call 911 for you or place your cell phone on speaker mode. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest. You should compress the chest 100 to 120 times per minute. Watch this video to see a demonstration of the Hands Only CPR method.

If viral conditions change substantially, we will be ready to adapt to keep our community safe. We will continue to provide health and safety counsel to senior administrators as needed. We are constantly monitoring local, national, and global viral conditions and will make changes to our policies if necessary.

If necessary, the university will communicate with campus community members about protocols and other changes through emails, social media posts and updates to the COVID-19 website.

If you are a student, you should work through the Disability Resource Center’s (DRC) existing accommodations process. DRC professional staff work directly with students to assess their individual needs and to develop appropriate plans for accommodations and services. If you have questions regarding a COVID-19 accommodation, please contact the DRC at drc@uga.edu or 706-542-8719. Click here for more information.

If you are a staff or faculty member, you should work through the University’s existing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations process.

USG provides an employee assistance program to employees and family members with free, comprehensive support through the KEPRO Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 1-844-243-4440.

UGA also offers additional support for employees, including:

  • Grief Counseling through MetLife (USG life insurance). Call 1-888-319-7819 for more information.
  • Kiz Adams/Human Resources, UGA Well-being Coordinator. Email wellbeing@uga.edu or call 706-542-7319.
  • The database of mental health professionals in the Athens area can be found here.

Yes, for COVID-19 related in-network provider visits and testing, out of pocket costs such as deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, will be waived (no cost) for you and any covered dependents if you are enrolled in one of the USG healthcare plans through Anthem BCBSGA or Kaiser Permanente (including employees enrolled in the Consumer Choice HSA).

Guidance for Students:

Students who believe they have been directly exposed to COVID-19 and are showing symptoms should seek care from the University Health Center. Please isolate until you can be assessed and do not walk in. For everyone’s safety, the Health Center is seeing patients by appointment only. For respiratory complaints, we will often schedule a telehealth visit via Zoom through which we can determine how best to arrange for both care and testing. To make an appointment via telehealth or in person please call 706-542-1162, or, if you know it use your primary care team’s number. 

Guidance for UGA Employees:

Employees who believe they have been directly exposed to COVID-19 and are showing symptoms should seek care from a healthcare provider and may be required to self-quarantine. During this time, employees should not come to work and should inform their manager. Managers have the discretion to determine if an employee’s duties and responsibilities can reasonably be performed from an employee’s home location, and, when they can, the manager may elect to offer the employee the option to telework.

If you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, isolate until an accurate assessment of the cause can be determined. Isolation, similar to quarantine, requires that you remain out of contact with others and limit movement in public. Isolation and the support needed to accomplish it is best achieved off campus or at a permanent residence.

Employees should not come to work when they are sick and should self-isolate until they can determine the cause through consultation with their healthcare provider. This requires the appropriate use of available leave. If an employee appears to be exhibiting symptoms associated with coronavirus while at work, a manager should excuse the employee from work and advise them to seek care from their healthcare provider. 

Public health officials strongly encourage people who test positive to notify those with whom they have had close contact, and in many cases, this is the most effective way to notify those who have been exposed.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

  • Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
  • Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. These people may have been exposed to a disease and do not know it, or they may have the disease but do not show symptoms.

You can learn more about quarantine and isolation on the CDC website.

The University System of Georgia (USG) continues to recognize COVID-19 vaccines and boosters offer safe, effective protection and urges all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to get vaccinated and/or boosted either on campus or with a local provider. As USG works closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health to prioritize the health and safety of campus communities, the system encourages people to wear masks based on their preference and assessment of personal risk.

Departments that are interested in having masks on hand can order them at no cost while supplies last through UGAmart. 

Learn more about proper masks and masking behaviors.

Transportation

The University System of Georgia (USG) no longer requires use of masks on campus transportation.

USG continues to recognize COVID-19 vaccines and boosters offer safe, effective protection and urges all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to get vaccinated and/or boosted either on campus or with a local provider. As USG works closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health to prioritize the health and safety of campus communities, the system encourages people to wear masks based on their preference and assessment of personal risk.

Departments that are interested in having masks on hand can order them at no cost through UGAmart. 

Travel & Study Abroad

The University System of Georgia and the University of Georgia strongly encourage you to get vaccinated. Pursuant to state and University System of Georgia (USG) rules, we cannot ask our students for proof of their vaccination status, and we should not treat vaccinated and un-vaccinated individuals differently unless dictated by law or applicable guidance. In addition, students should not be asked about their vaccine status and segregated in a classroom or from other instructor-student interactions (e.g., office hours, group work, field trips, labs, etc.) based on their vaccination status.

However, students may be required by off-campus partnering organizations to wear masks and/or be vaccinated as a condition of participation in experiential learning opportunities such as study abroad programs, externships and delivery of medical services. Please consult with a specific study abroad program regarding third-party vaccination requirements for that program.

In the case of study abroad programs where vaccinations are not required by off-campus partnering organizations, be advised that study abroad participants who cannot show proof of vaccination may be required by external entities to get tested for COVID-19 and/or quarantine. These participants are responsible for locating appropriate testing sites, paying for and securing testing results in a timely manner, and for any and all other costs associated with testing and quarantine.