King and Pierce counties are currently in Phase 2 of the state’s Safe Start plan.
The UW’s Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma campuses are also in Phase 2. Learn more.

Planning for a safe return to in-person learning

Governor Inslee’s Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery plan sets phases for lifting restrictions were put in place to stem the COVID-19 pandemic, and the state has also issued guidelines for higher education institutions. In alignment with those efforts and similar efforts at the local level, President Cauce commissioned a task force to develop plans for how we can safely return to in-person learning on our campuses.

As of August 6, 2020, in light of current and expected coronavirus case counts in Washington, more than 90% of autumn quarter class sections on the Seattle campus are remote, with similar percentages at UW Bothell and UW Tacoma. Only classes that cannot be taught remotely will be held in person, with appropriate safety measures and physical distancing in place.

This task force continues to review University protocols to protect student, faculty and staff health in campus spaces including residences, classrooms, labs and libraries. Their work is informed by public health experts, including the UW’s Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases, Environmental Health & Safety and UW Medicine infectious disease specialists.

Updates

Guidance and resources for UW units and employees

On May 29, 2020, chancellors, deans, vice presidents and other direct reports to President Cauce and Provost Richards received the COVID-19 Prevention Plan and Safe Start Checklist to use as the basis for developing unit-specific plans. These unit plans are submitted to the Executive Office for review and approval.

The UW’s prevention plan and an accompanying presentation available for use by unit leaders are available below for reference, as well as a link to signage, posters and graphics for units to use.

UW Environmental Health & Safety also maintains a collection of COVID-19 health and safety resources for UW leaders and employees, including details on cleaning and disinfecting procedures, food service and personal protective equipment.

Prevention planning

Student resources

Trainings & presentations

Personal protective equipment

Signage, posters and graphics

University of Washington COVID-19 Safe Start phases

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Note: On Jan. 5, Governor Inslee announced that the Healthy Washington — Roadmap to Recovery plan would replace the Safe Start plan as of Jan. 11, 2021. No operational changes at the UW are required as a result of this shift, but references to plans and phases on this page will be updated accordingly after the UW completes its analysis of the new Healthy Washington plan.

The move from one phase to another will happen gradually, be based on public health guidance and contingent on units completing their COVID-19 Prevention Plans. Learn more about how each move to a new phase will take place.

Units may have guidelines that are stricter than the University-level guidelines – please consult your supervisor or unit leadership with specific questions.

Surge

Onsite work: Critical personnel only. COVID-19 Prevention Plan safety measures required.

Telework: Required for non-critical personnel.

High-risk populations: High-risk population accommodations required.

In-person social events and gatherings: Not permitted.

Travel: Essential travel only.

Instruction: Offered remotely.

Student life:

  • Services offered remotely.
  • Dining services offer take-out only.
  • Student residents de-densified with appropriate physical distancing and public health procedures (roommates are considered household members).

Phase 1

Onsite work:

  • Defined by your unit’s COVID-19 Prevention Plan.
  • Critical personnel only with limited exceptions.
  • COVID-19 Prevention Plan safety measures required.

Telework: Required for non-critical personnel.

High-risk populations: High-risk population accommodations required.

In-person social events and gatherings: Not permitted.

Travel: Essential travel and limited non-essential travel to engage in Phase 1 activities is permitted.

Instruction: Offered remotely. Essential clinical instruction with safety protocols may be offered in-person with prior approval.

Student life:

  • Services offered remotely.
  • Dining services match restaurant guidelines.
  • Student residents de-densified with appropriate physical distancing and public health procedures (roommates are considered household members).

Phase 2 - Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma campuses

Onsite work:

  • Defined by your unit’s COVID-19 Prevention Plan.
  • Non-critical personnel may return to worksites if work can be performed safely and is absolutely necessary to maintain unit operations.
  • COVID-19 Prevention Plan safety measures required.

Telework: Required if employee cannot return to work safely. Strongly encouraged for all non-critical personnel.

High-risk populations: High-risk population accommodations required.

In-person social events and gatherings: If necessary and with no more than 5 people. Hold remote when possible.

Travel: Essential travel and limited non-essential travel to engage in Phase 1-2 activities is permitted.

Instruction:

  • Offered remotely.
  • Conducted in accordance with the state’s Campus Reopening Guide.
  • Clinical instruction with safety protocols may be offered in-person.
  • Lab and practicum courses with physical distancing and safety protocols may be offered in-person.

Student life:

  • Services offered remotely.
  • Dining services match restaurant guidelines.
  • Student residents de-densified with appropriate physical distancing and public health procedures (roommates are considered household members).

Phase 3

Onsite work:

  • Defined by your unit’s COVID-19 Prevention Plan.
  • Non-critical personnel may return to worksites if work can be performed safely and necessary to maintain unit operations or employee prefers to report to work.
  • COVID-19 Prevention Plan safety measures required.

Telework: Required if employee cannot return to work safely. Strongly encouraged for all non-critical personnel.

High-risk populations: High-risk population accommodations required.

In-person social events and gatherings: If necessary and with no more than 10 people, per July 16 revisions to Phase 3 limits by Gov. Inslee. Hold remote when possible.

Travel: Non-essential travel permitted.

Instruction:

  • Conducted in accordance with the state’s Campus Reopening Guide.
  • In-person instruction for prioritized courses.
  • Courses of over 50 students must be offered remotely.
  • In-person courses have remote/asynchronous options (where possible) to accommodate students who are not able to attend in-person.
  • Courses will be required to adhere to an instructional plan to promote safety.

Student life:

  • Combination of remote and in-person services with appropriate physical distancing and public health procedures.
  • Student residents allowed with appropriate physical distancing and public health procedures (roommates are considered household members).

Phase 4

Onsite work:

  • Defined by your unit’s COVID-19 Prevention Plan.
  • Non-critical personnel may return to worksites if work can be performed safely.
  • COVID-19 Prevention Plan safety measures required.

Telework: Telework flexibility encouraged and allowable.

High-risk populations: High-risk population accommodations required.

In-person social events and gatherings: If necessary – more than 50 people are permitted. Hold remote when possible.

Travel: Non-essential travel permitted.

Instruction:

  • Conducted in accordance with the state’s Campus Reopening Guide.
  • Potential increases in number of in-person courses with enrollments of up to 50 depending on available space and cleaning capacity.
  • Courses will be required to adhere to an instructional plan to promote safety.
  • In-person courses have remote/asynchronous options (where possible) to accommodate students who are not able to attend in-person.
  • Physical distancing requires that courses with enrollments over 50 continue be offered remotely.

Student life: All services open for general population with appropriate physical distancing and public health procedures.

 

Task force members

  • Suzanne Allen, School of Medicine
  • Mary Gresch, University Advancement
  • Joseph Janes, Faculty Senate
  • Sharon Jones, UW Bothell
  • Elizabeth Lowry, Office of the Provost
  • Jill Purdy, UW Tacoma
  • Phil Reid, Academic and Student Affairs
  • Mark Richards, Office of the Provost
  • Ed Taylor, Undergraduate Academic Affairs
  • Joy Williamson-Lott, Graduate School