Covid Safety Guidelines

• Cleaning of classrooms, labs and other spaces will occur much more frequently, with high traffic areas being cleaned throughout the day.
• Computer labs will be cleaned at the beginning or the end of the day by college personnel. Students utilizing computers will be responsible for disinfecting their own space before and after use with disinfecting supplies provided in the computer labs.
• Hand sanitizing stations have been strategically placed across campus in student/employee occupied spaces.
• Clear plexiglass shields have been installed at service counters and in some offices so that face-to-face conversations may take place without putting students or employees at risk.
• Floor markings have been placed in appropriate areas to remind students and employees about the importance of social distancing.
• Signage has been posted across campus reminding students and employees of the importance of following the Covid-19 health and safety recommendations provided by DHEC and the CDC.
• Signage limiting the number of individuals in elevators at one time has been posted.

PLEASE review this checklist every day BEFORE reporting to class

IF YOU HAVE ANY of the following, stay HOME, and immediately contact Dr. Sandra Davis, Vice President of Students Services at 803.535.1218 or 803.535.1226 or via email to davisss@octech.edu.

• A fever or chills
• A (new) cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Diarrhea, vomiting or nausea
• New loss of taste or smell
• Congestion or runny nose
• You or anyone you have been in close contact with has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed on quarantine
• You have been asked to self-isolate or quarantine by a medical professional or local public health official

OCtech does not require but encourages all students to wear a face covering while indoors on campus.

Students are to adhere to social distancing practices by keeping three feet from others in classrooms, labs, waiting areas, and other common spaces. The goal of social distancing is to limit exposure to infectious bacteria and viruses. In addition to keeping space between individuals, students are to also wear a face covering to help reduce the spread of illness.

Students are to adhere to public health hygienic recommendations by washing hands regularly, especially after touching commonly used items or coming into contact with someone who may be ill. Proper hand washing involves scrubbing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If you are not able to wash your hands, hand sanitizer dispensers are available in all OCtech buildings.

Please be sure to also avoid touching your face, nose and mouth and avoid rubbing your eyes, and practice proper coughing or sneezing etiquette.

Follow these guidelines if you have symptoms or are diagnosed with COVID-19:

• If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms – fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, etc. – stay home from class and contact your medical provider as well as Dr. Sandra Davis, Vice President of Students Services, at 803.535.1218 or 803.535.1226 or via email to davisss@octech.edu.
• If you are on campus and start experiencing symptoms, please notify your instructor in a way that maintains social distancing and avoids close contact with others and leave immediately, seeking medical help/advice if needed/required.
• If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, please report this information to Dr. Sandra Davis, Vice President of Students Services, at 803.535.1218 or 803.535.1226 or via email to davisss@octech.edu. Student Services may require you to provide validation (written proof) from the SC Department of Health Environmental Control, and/or from your physician.

Confirmed or suspected cases will be managed according to the college’s protocol. College personnel will request cleaning of the impacted college area and will close the area for 24 hours. The area will be disinfected by a professional cleaning company. The college will also communicate with those identified as “close contacts” regarding the potential exposure on campus and will work with you to develop a plan for your safe return to campus.

If you have been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (this is considered a secondary contact), please notify Dr. Sandra Davis, Vice President of Students Services at 803.535.1218 or 803.535.1226 or via email to davisss@octech.edu.

Once exposed, if you start experiencing COVID-19 symptoms – fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, etc. – stay home from class and contact your medical provider. If you are then diagnosed with COVID-19, notify the Vice President of Students Services at 803.535.1218 or 803.535.1226 or via email to davisss@octech.edu.