The safety and wellbeing of our faculty, staff, students, and visitors is a high priority. As such, we are committed to taking the necessary steps to help our college community feel protected in accordance with safety measures intended to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The summer semester will begin on schedule Monday, May 24. While masks and social distancing are no longer required, students and staff who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine are highly encouraged to wear face coverings indoors in the presence of any other person.
Following guidance from the governor, public health officials, and the North Carolina Community College System Office, Craven CC has enacted numerous safety guidelines and protocols to offer face-to-face instruction and services that include registration, advising, and academic support services.
Below is an FAQ that we hope will help you understand some of the protocols and changes you can expect on our New Bern, Havelock, and Volt Center campuses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are face coverings/masks required at Craven? Will I have to wear one all day?
Although Executive Order 215 rescinds most COVID-19 restrictions and protocols, all students, faculty, and staff who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine are strongly encouraged to wear a mask indoors. Remember: wearing a mask not only protects you from contracting the virus, it also protects those around you from becoming sick.
What if I cannot wear a mask for medical reasons?
The safety of Craven Community College’s students, faculty, and staff is a priority. The College will make every attempt to accommodate you if you are unable to wear a mask for medical reasons. In the event accommodations cannot be reasonably made, you will be directed to an advisor to look at alternatives to your course schedule.
How will I know if I have COVID-19?
A COVID-19 test is the only definitive way to diagnose the presence of the virus. People with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and may include the following:
- Fever or chills
- Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea (CDC.gov)
What if I become sick while at the College?
If you don’t feel well or become sick while at the College, please leave campus and go home or to your doctor right away. If you are in class, let your instructor know that you are not feeling well and he/she will send you home. Your instructor will direct you on how to make up the coursework you miss.
If you seek medical care and your doctor or other health personnel advise you to be tested for COVID-19, do not return to class until the result of that test is communicated to you. If the test is positive, you will be quarantined for 10-14 days. If the test is negative, monitor your symptoms and do not return to class until you are without symptoms and a fever for 24 hours.
What if I test positive for COVID-19?
If you test positive for COVID-19, do not return to classes until you are released by your doctor or the Health Department. Those who test positive must quarantine for 10-14 days, and any contacts that you have had will be contacted by the Health Department (contact tracing) and be quarantined as a safety precaution. You should not return to class until you are fever free for 48 hours and without symptoms.
Helpful Links
Below are several links you can use to obtain up-to-date information regarding COVID-19:
- Centers for Disease Control
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
- NC Chamber of Commerce Resource Guide
- World Health Organization
- Craven County Health Department
- Managing stress during the COVID-19 outbreak
