Many students, faculty and staff at Athens Technical College are concerned about how the current outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in China will impact their communities and wish to take appropriate steps to mitigate any risks.
On May 13, 2021 the CDC released updated interim guidance for fully vaccinated people and updated their earlier recommendations on mask wearing. Athens Technical College has always followed advice from the CDC when making decisions regarding safety measures. Currently authorized vaccines in the United States are highly effective at protecting vaccinated people against symptomatic and severe COVID-19. Additionally, a growing body of evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people are less likely to have asymptomatic infection or transmit SARS-CoV-2 (COVID19) to others.
For the purposes of this guidance, people (students, faculty, and staff) are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 more than 2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or more than 2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson [J&J]); there is currently no post-vaccination time limit on fully vaccinated status.
Effective immediately, Athens Technical College will no longer require anyone who has been fully vaccinated to wear a mask while on the campus, this includes inside the classroom. If you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, and you are NOT fully vaccinated then please keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated. That includes wearing a mask and social distancing. Also, anyone vaccinated who wishes to continue to wear a mask may certainly do so.
Athens Technical College strongly encourages everyone to continue to take all pre-cautions to protect themselves against COVID 19. If you are experiencing any symptoms related to COVID 19 you should remain at home and report your condition to your instructor/supervisor.
If you are fully vaccinated and have been exposed to a person with COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
We want to assure you that Athens Technical College and TCSG is actively monitoring current information and activities in reference to COVID-19 as well as suggested preventative measures, which are the same for the influenza virus. Dr. Daniel and the College's Safety committee held a meeting to review the College's pandemic response plan and to develop our internal response system.
COVID-19 is rapidly evolving and guidance is subject to change. The preparations currently underway in Georgia are based on the best scientific information we have from the CDC. DPH will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation, and work with state partners and health care communities to incorporate the most up to date guidance in our planning and preparation efforts.
The same measures that are urged to prevent the spread of any respiratory virus are increasingly important for all Georgians:
The best prevention against the flu is vaccination. Flu is still widespread and active in Georgia - it’s not too late to get a flu shot. Patients with COVID-19 display mild respiratory illness with the following symptoms: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you have any of these symptoms please contact your healthcare provider immediately.
If you are sick with any of these symptoms listed above please do not come to class but reach out to your instructor and they will work with you on make-up work. If you are absent for a prolonged illness documentation may be required to make up any missing work.