REMINDER: Stay Safe and Healthy this Thanksgiving!
Dear UTRGV Family:
As COVID-19 cases increase across the state and country, it is imperative that all students, faculty and staff remain vigilant, especially during the Thanksgiving holiday.
To help mitigate COVID-19 exposure on our campuses, UTRGV is prohibiting all in-person, university-related Thanksgiving gatherings/celebrations/potlucks this year.
For external celebrations with family and friends, UTRGV encourages the campus community to review and adhere to Holiday Celebrations and Small Gatherings guidelines developed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among other things, the CDC recommends lower-risk activities this Thanksgiving:
- Having a small meal with only people who live in your household.
- Preparing traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that does not involve contact with others.
- Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family.
- Shopping online rather than in person.
- Watching sports events, parades, and movies from home.
- Continuing to practice social distancing, wearing a 2-layer face covering, and self-monitoring for symptoms.
Travel Guidelines and Testing
For those students, faculty and staff traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of UTRGV COVID-19 testing by calling UT Health RGV Patient Communications Center at 1-833-UTRGVMD (1-833-887-4863). Testing within 72 hours of travel provides a reasonable understanding of your COVID-19 health status, and the risk of infecting family members and friends.
Furthermore, the CDC recommends you check the COVID-19 infection rates in areas you plan to visit on state, local or territorial health department websites.
If you plan to travel and access one of UTRGV’s campuses upon your return, you must first review the Daily Self-Screening/Reporting Process.
Please remember that the best way to protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 is to:
Wear a face mask
Wash your hands
Maintain six feet
of distance from others
Visit the Commitment to Safety and Success website for more information.
Have a healthy and safe Thanksgiving!
STAY ENGAGED!
STAY SAFE!
V’S UP!
utrgv.edu/coronavirus