COVID-19 NYFA Update
NYFA is operating in-person on all campuses. Our COVID-19 safety practices were developed to protect the health and safety of our community while providing a robust in-person, on-campus learning and working environment.
Please review the information on this page, as well as our COVID Safety Plan.
Vaccination and Boosters
NYFA strongly recommends students and employees stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the health practice proven most effective in preventing severe illness and death. As of April 22, 2023, NYFA will not require students and employees to submit proof of vaccination status to gain access to campus facilities and activities. However, a COVID-19 vaccination requirement may be instated in the future, should immunization against COVID-19 be required by state or local public health departments, and/or vaccination becomes necessary to prevent transmission within the NYFA community.
Our Covid-19 Taskforce
NYFA’s COVID-19 Task Force designs and implements our safety plans. It meets regularly to analyze the latest recommendations and information from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) as well as national, state and local public health and education authorities to ensure that we are coordinating our efforts to implement guidelines and best practices in accordance with these agencies, for each campus as appropriate to that city.
Our safety decisions are made through an intensive process of deliberation and always with the health of our students, faculty, and staff at the forefront. NYFA consults Dr. Peter Bloland, to assist in our decision making. Dr. Bloland is an infectious disease expert and formerly of the CDC, where he served as leader of the CDC SARS Response Team.
Arrival to Campus
The following is recommended for all students and employees traveling to NYFA to begin their programs: 1) Refrain from travel if you have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 or you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, 2) Be up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines before travel, 3) Wear a well fitted N95/KN95 mask during travel, and 4) Monitor for symptoms for 10 full days upon arrival to your campus region.
Non U.S. citizens 18 years and older are required to show proof of full vaccination status before boarding all U.S. bound flights.
Testing
PRE-ENTRY TESTING
All students and employees are required, at the start of each new semester, to get or self-administer a Rapid Antigen COVID-19 diagnostic test within 48 hours prior to their first day on campus. To gain entry to campus, students and employees must test negative for COVID-19, submit valid proof of a negative test result, and be free of all COVID-19 related symptoms.
SYMPTOM TESTING
All students and employees are required to get a RT-PCR COVID-19 diagnostic test if they experience one or more COVID-19 related symptoms. Students and employees experiencing symptoms are required to stay home and self-isolate, leaving home exclusively to seek testing. Students and employees who report symptoms will be granted guidance and assistance from campus COVID-19 Administrators regarding accessing medical care, if needed, and when ending isolation is possible.
EXPOSURE TESTING
All students/employees in close contact to person (s) diagnosed with COVID-19 ares strongly encouraged to immediately report their exposure to the mobile app and self administer a rapid antigen test six days after their last day of exposure.
ON-CAMPUS SURVEILLANCE TESTING
Students and employees may be required to participate in regular and or random sample testing.
Protective Facial Coverings (aka “Masks”)
Presently, masking is optional for all students and employees attending NYFA classes, programs and activities.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
All classrooms, furniture, equipment, and facilities will be disinfected regularly. All high-touch surfaces (elevator buttons, hallway, classroom and bathroom door handles, faucets) are protected by Nanoseptic Sleeves for continuously self-cleaning touchpoints. Students will be trained on special protocols for safely handling equipment in production. Hand sanitizer will be available in all spaces.
Monitoring and protecting the health of our community
NYFA has developed a special mobile App that all students and employees currently use to report any symptoms that could be indicative of COVID-19 each day they are scheduled to be on campus. This allows NYFA to monitor and support the health of the community and limit possible exposure to the virus on campus. It also helps with the important work of contact tracing in the event that there is a case of COVID-19 in our community. Individuals who are experiencing any of the symptoms that have been identified as related to possible COVID-19 infection are not be permitted on campus until they have been tested and cleared.