NYFA COVID-19 HEALTH PROTOCOL
Los Angeles | New York | Miami
Last Revision: January 18, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
New York Film Academy: COVID SAFETY PLAN 3
Facilities, Resources and Recommendations 4
Protocols for Campus Health and Safety 5
Communications and Trainings 7
Suspension or Shutdown of On-Campus Activities 8
APPENDICES:
l: COVID ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM-STUDENTS 9
lI. COVID ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM-EMPLOYEES 11
IIl: NYFA Self-Isolation Guidelines 13
New York Film Academy: COVID-19 Health Protocol
The purpose of the New York Film Academy COVID Health Protocol is to establish clear guidelines for behavior and operational procedures that best promote safety and mitigate risk of illness spread.
The NYFA COVID Safety Plan incorporates best practice guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Center for Infectious Disease and Research and Policy (CIDRAP), State and Local Public Health Departments, the American College Health Association (ACHA), state Departments of Education, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), and industry protocols for film production. The research and deliberation invested in creating this protocol is testament to NYFA’s deep and prevailing concern for the health and well-being of NYFA students, faculty and staff and its mission to align with national and global efforts to mitigate and suppress the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 disease and its variants of concern.
This is a living document. Guidelines may be revised in response to emerging information about the virus and its variants, the effectiveness of the vaccines against new variants, the duration of immunity afforded by the vaccines, the potential need for booster doses of vaccine, and consequent updates to public health department directives.
A. Facilities, Resources, and Recommendations
NYFA has adopted and maintained the following safety measures to safeguard the health and safety of the campus community:
COVID-19 VACCINATION: Aligning with our mission to protect the health and safety of our community above all else, the New York Film Academy, in compliance with the American College Health Association (ACHA), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health agencies, STRONGLY RECOMMENDS students and employees to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. To support NYFA’s strong recommendation for COVID-19 vaccinations NYFA ensures that students and staff have access to reliable and current information. Information regarding vaccine safety, effectiveness, potential side effects, and accessibility is posted to the NYFA COVID-19 Webpage and noted in the COVID Acknowledgement and Pledge to Follow Safety Guidelines document.
SUPPLIES: Ample supplies of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved cleaning and disinfecting agents, hand sanitizer, hand soap, paper towels and tissues are replenished as needed to ensure community compliance with CDC recommendations for personal and facility hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
Restrooms, common areas, and high touch surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected regularly according to OSHA and CDC guidelines.
High-touch surfaces are treated with Nanoseptic Sleeves.
VENTILATION: NYFA facilities are ventilated with the best possible fan/filtration systems to reduce the concentration of viral particles and reduce risk of virus spread in indoor environments.
COVID-19 TEAM ADMINISTRATORS AND THE COVID-19 TASK FORCE: Members of the NYFA COVID-19 Administration Team no longer perform contact tracing, but respond to student and employee reports of symptoms, offer support and guidance to NYFA students and employees in self-isolation, and communicate observations and concerns to NYFA COVID-19 TASK FORCE members. The COVID-19 Task Force meets monthly to review CDC and WHO reports regarding the emergence of new variants, vaccine effectiveness, virus transmission, indices of community spread, current guidance from state and local public health agencies, and the potential incidence and transmission of COVID-19 within the NYFA Community.
B. Protocols for Campus Health and Safety
COVID ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND PLEDGE TO FOLLOW SAFETY GUIDELINES: All students and employees are required to read and sign this document prior to start of program/day of hire (See Appendices l and ll)
PROTOCOL FOR WHEN EXPERIENCING ONE OR MORE SYMPTOMS OF CONCERN: Students and employees who feel ill are to STAY HOME (or go home, if symptom onset occurs when attending a NYFA-related activity) and return to campus when they are well and the following conditions are true:
The student/employee is fever-free for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medication)
The student/employee should have no vomiting or diarrhea for at least 12 hours from the last episode
The student/employee should feel well enough to fully participate in NYFA activities
The student/employee self-administers a rapid antigen COVID-19 antigen test and the test result is negative.
PROTOCOL FOR WHEN TESTING POSITIVE (RT-PCR or RAPID ANTIGEN TEST) FOR COVID-19:
Students/employees who test positive for COVID-19 are required to:
Self-isolate and not enter campus or participate in any NYFA related activities until DAY SIX (6) ( DAY ONE is the first day of symptom onset or, if asymptomatic, the day the COVID -19 diagnostic test was administered)
Students/employees may return to campus on DAY SIX if and only if:
they have been fever-free for the past 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, and
all of their symptoms are improving
Students/employees meeting criteria for ending isolation and returning to campus are required to wear a well-fitting N95/KN95 mask or mask of comparable quality for an additional FIVE full days beyond the end of their five-day isolation period.
Students/employees diagnosed with COVID-19 are strongly encouraged to inform their close contacts of potential exposure to COVID-19 so that all contacts can self-monitor for illness and take appropriate precautions for mitigating risk of virus transmission.
PROTOCOL POST EXPOSURE TO A PERSON TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19: Students and employees identified as exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual (regardless of where the exposure occurred- home, campus, community) may enter campus and continue to attend all NYFA-related activities, as long as they remain asymptomatic. Students/employees who are asymptomatic are encouraged to follow the guidelines noted below:
Wear a N95/KN95 mask on-campus and when participating in in-person NYFA activities until DAY 10 following the last day of exposure to the infected person (Day Zero is the last day of exposure to a person who tested positive for COVID-19).
Students/employees who have been exposed to a person diagnosed with COVID-19 are strongly advised to take a rapid antigen test on DAY 6 (Day Zero is the last day you were exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19).
Students/employees who test positive, regardless of vaccination status, are required to self-isolate and follow the self-isolation directives as described in the NYFA Self-Isolation Guidelines document (Appendix lll).
WEARING MASKS: Presently masking with N95/KN95 or masks of comparable quality is optional - encouraged but not required- for most students/employees attending the all NYFA campuses. Depending on the level of transmission in the campus region and local and state public health department directives, employees and students may be required to wear well-fitted and quality masks whenever on campus and attending indoor NYFA programs. Wearing masks is required for the following students/employees:
Students/employees meeting criteria for ending isolation and returning to campus are required to wear a well-fitting N95/KN95 mask or mask of comparable quality for an additional FIVE full days beyond the end of their five-day isolation period.
Students/employees exposed to COVID-19 (by persons affiliated and not affiliated with NYFA) are required to wear a well- fitting N95/KN95 mask or mask of comparable quality when on-campus and when participating in in-person NYFA activities until DAY 10 following the last day of exposure to the infected person (Day Zero is the last day of exposure to a person who tested positive for COVID-19).
OTHER ESSENTIAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE PRACTICES: Employees and students are strongly advised to practice good personal hygiene on and off campus to safeguard their own health and safety and protect themselves from not only COVID-19 but various other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza and the norovirus. These practices are strongly recommended:
Wash hands frequently with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. Employees and students may use sanitizer available in dispensers placed throughout campus when access to soap and water is not readily available.
Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues (or sleeves) and throw tissues in covered, lined trash cans.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
Students and employees are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated against the flu during fall semester, per public health departments’ directives; the fewer people contracting the flu will prevent the overburden of hospitals and supply chains across the country. A combination of both viruses, or one after the other, may also negatively impact an individual’s health, respiratory health and overall ability to recover.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Follow these important CDC guidelines for protecting yourself from getting sick.
PROTOCOL FOR INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC TRAVEL: NYFA has relaxed all restrictions on travel for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals traveling between and during semesters, domestically and internationally. However all members of the community are strongly advised to follow the CDC Travel Guidelines for International and Domestic Travel, and if traveling internationally, to consult with International Students Services and CDC Travel Advisories. NYFA encourages all travelers to follow the recommendations below:
Do not travel if you have COVID-19 and your isolation period has not ended.
Be up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines before travel.
Wear a N95/KN95 mask during air travel
Get a COVID-19 rapid antigen or PCR test 3-5 days after return from travel.
Monitor for symptoms for 10 FULL DAYS after return from travel.
D. Communications and Trainings
Communications:
NYFA actively promotes the vaccination of its campus communities by providing information on approved vaccines, their efficacy and safety, possible side effects and guidance on how to secure vaccines at each campus location.
An electronic handout outlining CDC and public health department guidelines for self-isolation, seeking urgent medical assistance, and when it is safe to terminate self-isolation and return to campus is included in this document and distributed to students and employees who report a COVID-19 diagnosis. See Appendix VI, NYFA Self-Isolation Guidelines.
Monitoring congregate reports of COVID-19 symptoms, the COVID-19 Team Administrator notifies the COVID-19 Task Force of any remarkable spikes of symptoms of illness within NYFA populations or within any NYFA housing facility, where applicable. If it is decided that immediate transition for one or more programs from full in-person or hybrid instruction to an exclusively online learning environment is necessary, the appropriate Department Chairs are notified, and students and instructors are informed of said decisions by COVID-19 Response Task Force members (HR and Campus Deans).
Trainings:
Posters are displayed in strategic areas throughout campus providing instruction on effective hygiene practices.
Guidance for protecting self and community from illness is delivered during New Student Orientations.
E. Suspension or Shutdown of On-Campus Activities
NYFA is fully prepared to transition, if and whenever necessary and for as long as necessary, from full in-person instruction to hybrid to 100% online study. All faculty and staff are trained and prepared to adapt readily to an online platform.
Operational Activities:
In the event of a spike, as determined through analysis by the COVID-19 Team Administrator, in COVID-19 symptoms reported by students of one cohort or multiple cohorts within one program, students in that cohort or program (department) and all associated instructors will transition from either fully in-person instruction (NY and LA) or hybrid instruction (SB) to an exclusively online platform until test results confirm that it is safe to return to campus. Employees performing essential administrative tasks are provided directives on whether to remain on campus to perform their duties or work remotely.
In the circumstances noted above, instructors of said programs may be present on campus to teach their courses within the online environment, if and only if cases of COVID-19 have not been confirmed and/or the premises have been adequately disinfected.
If the incident rates of confirmed COVID-19 in the NYFA Community across multiple cohorts or departments at any time exceeds the incident rates of the region in which a campus is located, the campus may shut down for an indefinite period of time, during which all instruction delivery will transition to an exclusively online platform.
All facilities will shut down in response to directives from local and state governments or health agencies. Instruction during shutdown will be delivered exclusively online.
Should NYFA be a hotspot of transmission within a community that is evidencing wide community spread, a NYFA shutdown will be temporary; no campus will reopen, however, without guidance and approval from local public health departments.
Moving Out:
Housing Coordinators provide upon request resources to help students move out of NYFA student residences, where applicable, should they decide to do so in the event of extended campus closure.
COVID ACKNOWLEDGMENT and PLEDGE TO FOLLOW SAFETY GUIDELINES
(Student)
COVID-19 still presents a risk for members of our community. Therefore, the New York Film Academy asks all students, faculty, staff and visitors to do their part to protect themselves and other members of the campus and surrounding communities. NYFA strongly recommends all students and employees to stay up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccines authorized or approved by the W.H.O. or F.D.A.. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 remains best practice for protecting oneself from severe disease and death. In general, we strongly advise all students to stay informed and engage in best practices for staying healthy and protecting yourself and others from illness.
As part of this effort, we ask all students who plan to enter the New York Film Academy campus (Premises) or to participate in any NYFA in-person activities (Activity), to read, and acknowledge, and agree to the following:
I understand the risks of COVID-19 and I am familiar with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and the relevant state and local guidelines regarding COVID-19 (the “Guidelines”). I acknowledge and understand that the circumstances regarding COVID-19 are changing from day to day and that, accordingly, the Guidelines are regularly modified and updated and I accept full responsibility for familiarizing myself with the most recent updates. I understand that NYFA regularly distributes to its community updates to health officials' guidelines and, in turn, to NYFA's policies and procedures. I understand that these updates are distributed through NYFA's email service and are posted on NYFA's Student Hub.
I pledge to provide NYFA with my full cooperation while I am on the Premises and/or participating in the Activity and when I am off campus, so as to minimize COVID-19 health and safety risks to NYFA students, faculty staff and visitors and abide by the most current safety guidelines promulgated by NYFA. This may include, but not be limited to, wearing a NYFA mask or a N95/KN95 mask or a mask of comparable quality at all times while on the Premises or Activity, not sharing my food, drink, and personal belongings with others; and completing a daily symptom tracker before entering the Premises and/or participating in the Activity. I will report any COVID-19 related symptoms and refrain from entering the Premises or participating in the Activity if I am exhibiting any COVID-19 related symptoms. I understand that if I break my pledge - if I fail to adhere to the most current guidelines either on campus or off campus - I may face disciplinary action, up to and including revocation of permission to attend on-campus classes and activities, and in egregious cases, additional sanctions, which may include suspension or expulsion from NYFA.
I understand, regardless of any safety protocols or procedures NYFA has in place or establishes, that there are still risks associated with COVID-19, and I hereby willingly choose to enter the Premises or participate in the NYFA Activity.
Because of the uncertainty regarding COVID-19, I understand and acknowledge that approval given to me by NYFA to attend and physically be present on the Premises or participate in the Activity is conditional and may be withdrawn by NYFA at its discretion at any time as based on any changed circumstances and Guidelines.
I acknowledge that due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, NYFA may offer parts or all of its program online depending on changing conditions and public health guidance. In such instances, NYFA's physical campus or the Premises may be partially or fully closed. I hereby accept such alternative teaching arrangements until NYFA, at its sole and absolute discretion, deems it prudent to move all or parts of the program to in-person instruction. I understand that NYFA shall not be obligated to return any tuition or other payments it received as a result of a change from in-person to online instruction or a blend of the two methods of instruction.
BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, I ACKNOWLEDGE AND REPRESENT THAT I have read the foregoing Agreement, understand it, and pledge to follow its terms.
Student Printed Name:________________________________
Student Signature:____________________________________
COVID ACKNOWLEDGMENT AGREEMENT
(Employee)
COVID-19 still presents a risk for members of our community. Therefore, the New York Film Academy asks all students, faculty, staff and visitors to do their part to protect themselves and other members of the campus and surrounding communities. NYFA strongly recommends all employees to stay up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccines. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 remains best practice for protecting oneself from severe disease and death. In general, we strongly advise all employees to stay informed and engage in best practices for staying healthy and protecting yourself and others from illness.
In consideration for receiving permission to BE ON PREMISES at a NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY CAMPUS (hereinafter the “Premises”), I hereby acknowledge and agree to the following:
1. I understand that the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) still presents a risk and I am familiar with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and the relevant State guidelines regarding COVID-19 (the “Guidelines”). I acknowledge and understand that the circumstances regarding COVID-19 may change from day to day and that, accordingly, the Guidelines are regularly modified and updated and I accept full responsibility for familiarizing myself with the most recent updates.
2. I enter the Premises knowing the risks associated with COVID-19.
3. I will provide New York Film Academy (“NYFA”) with my full cooperation while I am on the Premises so as to minimize COVID-19 health and safety risks to NYFA students, faculty, staff and visitors and abide by the safety guidelines promulgated by NYFA. This may include, but not be limited to, wearing a mask (that covers both my nose and mouth) while on the Premises, physical distancing from others, not sharing my food or drink with others, complete a daily symptom tracker before entering the Premises, reporting any COVID-19 related symptoms and refraining from entering the Premises if I am exhibiting any COVID-19 related symptoms.
4. Because of the uncertainty regarding COVID-19, I understand and acknowledge that approval given to me by NYFA to physically be present on the Premises is conditional and may be withdrawn by NYFA in its discretion at any time as based on any changed Guidelines.
5. I acknowledge that due to health safety concerns related to Covid-19, NYFA's physical campus or the Premises may be partially or fully closed. The employee hereby accepts such alternative work arrangements until NYFA, in its sole and absolute discretion, deems it prudent to open its physical campus or the Premises.
6. This Agreement is an acknowledgement of my obligations not a waiver of any of my rights.
7. This Agreement and the provisions contained herein shall be construed, interpreted and controlled according to the laws of the State of New York.
BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, I ACKNOWLEDGE AND REPRESENT THAT I have read the foregoing Agreement, understand it and sign it voluntarily as my own free act and deed; no oral representations, statements, or inducements, apart from the foregoing written agreement, have been made; I am at least eighteen (18) years of age and fully competent; and I execute this Agreement for full, adequate and complete consideration fully intending to be bound by same.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Agreement under seal on this day.
Employee Printed Name:________________________________
Employee Signature:____________________________________
NYFA Self-Isolation Guidelines For Confirmed COVID-19
The detailed guidelines below for self-isolation are endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local and state public health agencies as best practice for mitigating risk of community transmission of illness.
Guidelines for Students/Employees Diagnosed with COVID-19
Follow CDC guidelines and local public health directives for Isolation, should you test positive for COVID-19.
Stay home and SELF ISOLATE
You may return to campus and participate in NYFA related activities on DAY SIX (6) of your isolation period (DAY ZERO is the first day you experienced symptoms, or if you are asymptomatic, the day you were tested) if and only if:
You are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications AND,
All of your symptoms have improved.
Continue self-isolation until the above conditions are met.
Wear a well fitted N95/KN95 mask until DAY ELEVEN (11), at all times when on campus and/or participating in NYFA related activities. DAY ZERO is your first day of symptom onset or, if you were asymptomatic, the day your COVID-19 test was administered
Protecting the Health and Safety Others During Your Isolation Period
Stay home and avoid contact with others.
Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are in isolation.
If needing to seek medical care, use a for-hire private transportation vehicle and wear a well-fitted N95/KN95 mask.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds; if soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
If you share a home with others, wear a well fitted N95/KN95 mask in the home.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and discard tissue in a closed container.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in the home, such as door and refrigerator handles, keyboards, tablets, phones, remotes, countertops, light switches, kitchen and bathroom faucets, etc.
Additional Precautionary Isolation Guidelines
Separate yourself from others by staying in a separate room and using a separate bathroom, if possible.
If you need to share a bathroom, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in the bathroom after each use.
Improve ventilation in the home: open windows, turn on fans, or use air filters, if possible.
Do not share food, towels, and eating utensils with members of your household.
Have food delivered to your room, if possible, and eat in a room separate from household members.
Follow the directives provided by the test administrator or health care professional.
Continue to monitor and keep a daily record of your symptoms.
Contact your medical provider to report any symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Monitoring Symptoms and Seeking Emergency Care:
Seek Emergency Medical Attention immediately – Call 9.1.1. or call ahead to your local emergency facility and notify the operator that you may have COVID-19- if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Severe Difficulty Breathing
Persistent Pain or Pressure in Chest
New Confusion
Inability to Wake or Stay Awake
Bluish Lips or Face
MEDICAL AND CAMPUS RESOURCES
Medical Care: Urgent Care Facilities: If you do not have a primary care physician, you may call and seek care at an urgent medical care facility located in close proximity to your home or campus. The Urgent Care Facilities located near each campus are noted below. These facilities accept NYFASHIP insurance. Copays and deductibles apply.
Los Angeles: Burbank Urgent Care: 3413 Pacific Ave. #110, Burbank, CA 91505 ph. 818.953. 4408
South Beach: Baptist Urgent Care, 709 Alton Road, Miami, FL 33139
ph. 786.422.0184
New York: CityMD (Find NYC location)
NYFA Campus Resources: Please reach out to a NYFA staff member for assistance during your time of isolation:
Los Angeles: covidteamla@nyfa.edu
New York City: covidteamny@nyfa.edu
South Beach: covidteamsb@nyfa.edu
We Hope You Feel Better Soon!
Thank You for Caring for Yourself and Your Community!