FAQs (for students and employees)

If students or employees, or someone in their households, test positive for COVID-19, they are required to disclose instances of COVID-19 infection as described in Procedure III.3008.B.a on the Reporting Form. If an employee or student comes in close contact with or is living with a COVID-19 positive individual, the employee or student must disclose this information under the  authority of Procedure III.3008.B.b on the Reporting Form.  

• A member of the HR (Human Resources) Benefits team will contact the employee and coordinate with the employee’s leadership regarding temporary work schedule arrangements, if available.
• A member of the Safety, Health, Environment & Risk Management (SHERM) Office will contact the student regarding next steps.

Following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, the student or employee should recover at home per CDC guidelines, or guidance from their healthcare provider.

• The student or employee may return to campus five days after the onset of symptoms, if their COVID symptoms have improved and they are fever-free without the use of medication; however, they must wear a mask for days 6–10.
  • If the student or employee chooses not to wear a mask for days 6–10, they can continue to quarantine at home and return to campus after the additional five days.

Individuals with a prolonged exposure (living with or in close contact when health and safety measures were not in place or insufficient) to a COVID positive individual:

• If a student or employee had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and is in one of the following groups, they do not need to quarantine:
  • The student or employee has been vaccinated.
  • The student or employee had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (meaning tested positive using a test).
• If the student or employee develops symptoms, they must quarantine for five days after onset of symptoms. If after a minimum of five days, the student's or employee's COVID symptoms have improved and they are fever-free without the use of medication, they may return to campus but must wear a mask for days 6–10.
  • If the student or employee chooses not to wear a mask for days 6–10, they can continue to quarantine at home and return to campus after the additional five days.

• Governor Abbott's executive order states that face coverings cannot be mandated in public schools. While San Jacinto College cannot require anyone to wear a face covering, the College strongly encourages the use of a face covering for all students, employees, visitors, and contractors regardless of vaccination status.
• Personal distancing is expected.
• Continue to manage your hand hygiene. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the campuses and College facilities for your convenience.
• Mandatory reporting of COVID-19 illness or exposure for all students and staff per College Procedures III.3008.B.a and III.3008.B.b.
• The College continues to partner with Harris County Public Health to offer COVID-19 testing at the Central Campus and vaccination clinics at the North, South, and Central campuses.
• Routine cleanings of high traffic areas continues, and disinfectant is provided for departments as requested.

Vaccination is strongly recommended for all individuals ages 5 and up, but we may not require vaccination for our employees, per Texas Governor’s Executive Order GA-38.

The CDC has several resources that explain how protective measures, such as using face coverings, help protect the wearer as well as control the spread of COVID. You can find one of those resources here. Where can I get more information about COVID-19?

• Harris County Public Health Department
• Texas Department of State Health Services 
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Governor Abbott’s News Page