On Friday, Nov. 13, Gov. Brad Little announced that the State of Idaho would return to Stage 2 with certain modifications, due to the continued increase in COVID cases and the strain on Idaho’s healthcare system.

In response, the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (ICOM) COVID-19 Task Force issued new guidelines for students and employees.

Students (Now-Thanksgiving)

• ICOM will allow the continuation of close-contact training with appropriate PPE until the start of Thanksgiving break, unless additional campus closures are required.
• Curriculum-related activities, such as exam reviews, ALAs, small groups, OPP, and labs may continue to take place with appropriate PPE and social distancing at the discretion of the course directors.
• Masks must be worn at all times on campus and N95 masks must be worn in Anatomy Lab and any close-contact activities.
• Masks may NOT be taken off in study rooms if more than one person is present.
• Extracurricular gatherings greater than 10 people are not allowed. Students must social distance, wear masks and wash hands.
• Students are not allowed on the third floor with the exception of the café. Students needing to meet with faculty and staff are asked to set up appointments to do so.

Students (After Thanksgiving)

• After Thanksgiving break, all educational and extracurricular activities must be remote.
• At this time, students are not allowed on campus after Thanksgiving. However, some exceptions for curricular activities may be granted.
• No decisions have yet been made regarding returning to school in January 2021, such as the possible need to quarantine after traveling, etc.

Employees

• In light of Gov. Little’s Executive Order, any employee who wishes to work from home may do so with approval from their supervisor if job duties can be performed off-site.
• The building will remain open for employees (barring further campus closures) through the end of the semester.

Questions or concerns from students should be directed to Liz Watson, Director of Student Affairs. Employees should contact Shannon Blackstock, Director of Human Resources.

For more information, visit idahocom.org/coronavirus. Learn how COVID-19 has impacted ICOM’s application review process by clicking here.