Student Information - COVID-19 | Greenville Technical College

Masks

Masks are now mandatory at Greenville Technical College in all indoor spaces whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated. The South Carolina Supreme Court has given us the flexibility to determine the right course of action at the college and with contagious variants continuing to emerge, masks are needed now to ensure that teaching and learning can take place safely. Face shields may not be substituted for masks unless you have a documented medical need and submit that information to Student Disability Services.

Vaccines

Greenville Technical College has joined with 850 colleges and universities across the country in the COVID College Challenge. The goal is to increase vaccination rates so that we can get back to normal. At GTC, vaccinations are strongly encouraged although they are not required. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccines to prevent illness, hospitalization, and death, especially with emergence of the Delta variant. Read more about vaccine advice from the CDC and DHEC.

Testing

There are free testing sites on all Greenville Technical College campuses, offered through our partnership with DHEC. These sites are available to students, employees, and members of the community seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The PCR test is administered, either with a nasal swab, cheek swab, or saliva. If you plan to take the cheek swab or saliva test, you should not eat or drink anything 30 minutes prior to the test.

COVID Response Team

As you have throughout the pandemic, please continue to rely on the COVID Response Team for guidance. If you have tested positive, experience symptoms, or have been around someone who is ill, please complete a COVID Reporting Form. This should be completed even if you have been vaccinated. A member of the team will talk to you about your individual circumstances and walk you through next steps.

Cleaning and Hygiene

The college continues to pay careful attention to cleaning and disinfecting any affected areas of campus. Students and employees should rely on the common-sense measures that have served us well throughout the pandemic: washing hands frequently, covering your cough, and staying home if you are sick.

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YOUR HEALTH AND COVID-19

How to protect yourself

To minimize the spread of any respiratory illness including the flu and COVID-19, please practice basic prevention measures. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content if soap and water are not available, stay home when you are sick, cover coughs and sneezes, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid shaking hands with others; instead rely on fist bumps, elbow bumps, or waves to greet without contact.

Symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Additional symptoms may include congestion, chills, repeated shaking with chills, headache, loss of taste, muscle pain or sore throat. If you have tested positive or are experiencing symptoms or you've been around someone who has, please complete a COVID-19 reporting form at https://www.gvltec.edu/covid-form/ and an investigator will provide guidance.

Free screenings are available

Prisma Health and MUSC are offering COVID-19 screenings that you can access from home. If you are exhibiting symptoms, go to https://www.prismahealth.org/virtual-visit/ (promo code COVID19) for a free online visit or MUSC.care (promo code COVID19) to speak to an online virtual care provider.

Testing and vaccine sites are nearby

DHEC offers testing at McAlister Square and vaccines at the Buck Mickel Center, near the Barton Campus. For information on all testing and vaccine sites near you, go to https://scdhec.gov/covid19.