COVID-19

SUNY Orange Indoor Masking Extended at Least Through May 30

Based upon the recommendation of the College’s Emergency Management and COVID Response teams, SUNY Orange will extend its indoor mask mandate through May 30. In the interim, we will continue to monitor all relevant COVID statistics and data sources, and remain in contact with the Orange County Department of Health (OCDOH). We will share a decision for on-campus expectations (beyond May 30) prior to the Memorial Day weekend.

Positive cases in our broader community, as well as our College community, continue to escalate, a trend we are seeing throughout New York State as well. Since returning to indoor masking, we have evaluated whether to continue that mandate on three occasions now, and each time the local statistics have been higher than the previous instance.

This next 7-10 days will see the many of us attending multiple celebrations, pinnings and other recognition ceremonies. The ability to convene in person again for these events is something I imagine all of us truly treasure. As such, the College is taking every precaution so that all within the SUNY Orange community, as well as our families and friends, can remain healthy and attend as many end-of-year festivities as possible.

In addition to continuing our indoor masking on our campuses, we will be requiring masks at the Nursing Pinning on Monday and Convocation on Tuesday. Both events are indoors at the Paramount Theatre. As for other off-campus College-sponsored celebrations, we strongly encourage participants to mask up and practice safe hygiene (refrain from hand-shaking, use hand sanitizers, etc.) to the best extent possible. At outdoor events, particularly Commencement, we also encourage mask wearing. Additionally, I’d appreciate your assistance in sharing this message with participants and guests: “If you don’t feel well, please stay home.”

We want all of our graduates and their families to be present at Commencement, and the steps I’ve outlined above are important elements in helping us get there. 

--Dr. Kristine Young

updated 5/12/22

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If you feel sick and have symptoms of a virus, you should stay home and contact your doctor or healthcare provider. Do not go to your doctor or urgent care without calling first. They can direct you on the proper way to visit their office or how best to address your symptoms at home if they are mild.

updated 4/29/22