URI Health Services, working in collaboration with the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), has developed a plan for isolation and quarantine focusing on the health and well-being of our community. Self-isolation and self-quarantine are essential to help prevent community spread of COVID-19.
The Rhode Island Department of Health has provided the following guidance for students moving to Rhode Island from hot spots (those states with a greater than 5% positivity rate). If your state is on the list as of Monday of the week you are scheduled to arrive in Rhode Island, you must quarantine for 14 days. This applies to students living both on-campus and those living off-campus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines isolation and quarantine as follows:
Isolation: The separation of a person or group of people known or reasonably believed to be infected with a communicable disease and potentially infectious from those who are not infected to prevent spread of the communicable disease. Isolation is minimally 10 days per current CDC and RIDOH guidelines.
Quarantine: The separation of a person or group of people reasonably believed to have been exposed to a communicable disease but not yet symptomatic from others who have not been so exposed to prevent the possible spread of the communicable disease. Quarantine is 14 days per current CDC and RIDOH guidelines.
Quarantine and isolation are a critical part of our plans to re-open. If a student is required to isolate or quarantine and does not adhere to the health and safety standards, the student may be subject to actions up to and including suspension or dismissal from the University.
Students with On-Campus Housing assignments:
Move in: Students with a housing assignment through URI Housing and Residential Life, Greek housing and our Heidi Kirk Duffy Center for International Education and Texas Instrument House will be allowed to move into their on-campus room. Upon arrival on-campus, students will receive move-in COVID-19 testing and then those students coming from hot spots will be allowed to move their belongings into their residence hall and will then be directed into a designated quarantine space that could be located on or off-campus (URI Housing is using local hotel space). Students coming from hot spots, regardless of test results, are not able to “test out of quarantine.”
During the academic year: On-campus students who are directed to quarantine or isolate during the academic year will be encouraged to do so at home whenever safe to do so. Those who are not able to leave campus will be housed in a designated location on campus or at an off-campus contracted facility. The University designated spaces for quarantine and isolation for residential students will have the following:
- Microwave
- Refrigerator
- Disposable paper products
- Snacks and non-perishable food
- Contact list for key offices on campus
Meals: For on-campus students who are in quarantine/isolation, URI Dining Services will pre-deliver cases of water, sports drinks, juice, fruit and snacks, etc., and deliver meals daily to the isolation/quarantine location. URI Dining will accommodate quarantined/isolated students’ dietary needs specific to food allergies and/or medical or religious restrictions and/or digestive symptoms related to COVID-19. Those needs will be communicated to Dining Services by way of the meal order form for quarantined/isolated students.
Supplies: Students in quarantine/isolation will be advised to take the following supplies with them.
- Textbooks and notebooks
- Laptop, iPad, phone, chargers
- Medication
- Toiletries and clothing
- Important numbers for family/friends
- Face mask
- Hand sanitizer
- Change of clothing for duration of stay
Students in Greek Houses:
Students who live in Greek houses are to contact their House Director for information.
Students Living Off-Campus:
Upon arrival in Rhode Island, students residing off-campus in private rentals/homes will be expected to quarantine at their rental/home in Rhode Island for 14 days.
During the semester, students living off-campus who have been directed to quarantine or isolate will be encouraged to return home if it is safe to do so. Those who are not able to return home will be able to isolate or quarantine in their off-campus housing following CDC’s recommendations.
If an off-campus student is required to isolate or quarantine and does not adhere to the health and safety standards, the student can be subject to immediate removal from class/es and may be suspended or dismissed from the University.
All Students:
Students undergoing quarantine or isolation must not go to work (on or off campus), class (including internships, clinicals), or participate in other group activities (sports, clubs, etc.). These students should avoid public areas and not use public transportation, ridesharing, or taxis. They should not go to the grocery store or other public spaces. They should stay in their designated rooms/homes and away from other people until the CDC’s criteria of when it is safe to be around others is met AND URI Health Services has cleared them to return to routine activity. The only exception should be to access essential services such as medical care, including prescriptions.
Students who require isolation or quarantine will be contacted by URI Health Services as well as a representative from the Rhode Island Department of Health. This effort will ensure that all ill students are isolated, tested, and receive a medical evaluation. Additionally, all individuals exposed to COVID-19 are appropriately monitored and quarantined. This contact tracing effort will be essential in the prevention of outbreaks and ensuring the safety of our community.
The following individuals/offices will be notified by URI Health Services, as appropriate, when students require quarantine or isolation:
- URI Health Services
- Emergency Management Services
- Campus Police/Public Safety
- Parent/Family Members
- Instructors and Academic Advisor
- Residential Life/Dining
- Dean of Students Office
- Other key community supports
Health and Counseling Support
Quarantined or isolated students will have access to telehealth/teletherapy for physical and mental health care (or in person if condition warrants emergency care/hospitalization):
- URI Health Services
- URI Counseling Center
- Psychological Consultation Center
- EMS (911) should be contacted for transport of students in need of emergency medical care.
Academic Support and Guidance
Students in quarantine and isolation will not be able to attend classes in person. Depending on their circumstances/symptoms, students will be able to take part in learning and submission of assignments remotely if feeling well enough to do so. However, we recognize that some students may be too ill to participate in classes and coursework for a period of time. Faculty will work with students to accommodate them to the greatest extent possible.
To end quarantine or isolation, URI Health Services will ensure the student has met the CDC’s criteria of when it is safe to be around others and will notify the student and necessary departments accordingly.
If you have any questions, please email health@uri.edu.