FAQs

Public Health

How do I know if I need to self-quarantine?

The College will be continue to follow CDC guidance on who should self-quarantine and not come to campus.

What steps should I take if I tested positive for COVID-19?

Faculty, staff and students should follow the College's protocol for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases on campus.

Will the College share information if anyone on campus is being tested or determined to be infected?

The latest news about the College’s response to COVID-19 will continue to be distributed by email, on social media and on this webpage. Text message alerts will also be sent to the community as necessary.

Student and Class Information

Will summer and fall 2021 classes be held online or in-person?

Summer 2021 classes will be held online. As we look ahead to the fall 2021 semester, we feel more optimistic now that the COVID-19 vaccine is available to anyone age 16 and over. As a result, Community College of Philadelphia is moving ahead with plans to bring as many students, faculty and staff back to campus as possible this fall. While plans for returning to campus will vary by academic program, the health and safety of our College community will remain our top priority as we navigate reopening. To guide us in this work, the College has enlisted the services of Pennoni, an engineering consulting firm right here in Philadelphia. A team of Pennoni’s certified industrial hygienists and registered environmental health professionals will work with College leadership to ensure the College remains a safe, healthy and welcoming place as more people return to campus.

Can I register for classes online?

Online registration is open for students. During this time, students will also be able to make payments online at MyCCP.

Where are meals available for Philadelphia School District students while schools are closed?

The District is coordinating with the City’s Office of Children and Families, Parks & Recreation, and many other departments and nonprofit partners to provide meal service and activities in safe spaces throughout the city. Check here for a listing of locations and here for a map of locations where you can find meals during the week.

Staff/Faculty

What is the Families First Coronavirus Response Act?

On March 18, 2020, President Donald Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) in response to the spread of the coronavirus and the illness it causes, COVID-19. The legislation provides up to 80 hours of paid-sick-leave benefits if employees need leave to care for their own or someone else's coronavirus-related issues. The FFCRA also updates the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to provide eligible employees with job-protected, paid leave when they are unable to work—either onsite or remotely—because their minor son's or daughter's school or child care service is closed due to the public health emergency. For additional details, please refer to the Human Resources section.

Is the College allowing employees to work from home?

It is the policy of the College to maintain a safe and healthy workplace, including minimizing the transmission of contagious diseases, including COVID-19. To protect our workforce and ensure business continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the College is implementing a temporary telecommuting arrangement for certain employees, as outlined herein. THE COLLEGE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVOKE ANY TELECOMMUTING ARRANGEMENT AT ANY TIME, OR TO OTHERWISE MODIFY THIS POLICY OR ANY PARTICULAR EMPLOYEE’S ABILITY TO TELECOMMUTE IN THE COLLEGE’S SOLE DISCRETION. Telecommuting or "telework" entails working some portion of the week away from the conventional workplace—typically from home—and communicating via computer-based technology. Telecommuting may be appropriate for some employees and jobs, but not for others. Whether and to what extent telecommuting is appropriate for a given employee or job is determined in the College’s sole discretion. Telecommuting is not an entitlement, and it in no way changes the terms and conditions of employment with the College. Staff who will be expected to report to campus will be notified by their supervisors. For more information, please refer to the College's COVID-19 Interim Telecommuting Policy.

Employees who are requesting to work from home under the medical advice of their doctors should notify Human Resources about accommodations under ADA online.

Will I be able to gain access to the College?

Public Safety will be at the Main Campus and Regional Center locations to accommodate those who must be on campus. On Main Campus, please use the 16th street entrance to gain access to the College. Please have your College ID card visible while on campus. The surface lot on 17th Street and CBI garage will be open for employee parking. The Main Garage will be closed. If you are registered to park at the CBI garage, you will have normal access and if you do not normally park there, present your College ID and you will be given access to park. Regional Center access remains the same, but the Public Safety team will be minimal, so expect routine service calls to be slowed a bit.

Is the College making any other Human Resources accommodations for employees?

The College is working with our medical insurance provider, Independence Blue Cross, to make sure that our employees can receive appropriate testing and treatment for this virus if needed, and making temporary modifications to our current benefit plan design and College policies.

Is the College going to make sure that our employees can receive appropriate testing and treatment for this virus if needed?

Yes, we have been working with Independence Blue Cross and CVS, our medical insurance and pharmaceutical providers, on the following measures:

• • Waiver of Co-Pays for COVID-19 Testing

Independence Blue Cross has agreed to cover and waive member cost-sharing (such as co-pays) for the COVID-19 test when performed at a hospital or an approved laboratory.

Given that the test is new and specific billing codes for commercially available tests were only recently designated, members should report any concerns about claim payment to IBC’s customer service staff at the number on your Keystone/Personal Choice member card. At this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state labs currently performing the testing are not billing for COVID-19 testing, so members should not incur costs when tested by these labs.

At this time, there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. You should receive care from your doctor to help relieve symptoms as you would other viral respiratory infections. Independence Blue Cross will continue to cover medically necessary health care costs to treat infectious diseases, including COVID-19, based on the terms of your insurance plans.

• • Prevent Interruption of Medication Availability

We know that access to needed medication is important to you and your family members during the uncertainty caused by COVID-19.  For maintenance medications (prescriptions commonly used to treat conditions that are considered chronic or long-term), CVS Caremark is waiving early refill limits on 30-day prescriptions at any in-network pharmacy. Relaxing the “refill-too-soon” limitations will allow you to fill maintenance medication prescriptions ahead of their normal fill schedule to ensure you and your covered dependents are able to maintain an adequate supply of medication on hand. If you take long-term maintenance medications, we encourage you to take action now to refill your maintenance prescriptions for 90-day supplies. 

Also beginning immediately, CVS Pharmacy will waive charges for home delivery of all prescription medications. With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encouraging people at higher risk for COVID-19 complications to stay at home as much as possible, this is a convenient option to avoid coming to the pharmacy for refills or new prescriptions.

College Services and Events

What services will still be available?

Students will continue to be able to make payments, register for classes and request help online, even while the College is closed. Please visit our Virtual Student Resource Center for assistance.

How are we planning to deal with commencement or other large events?

We will hold a virtual Commencement ceremony for our 2020 and 2021 graduates on Saturday, May 8, 2021.

How can I make sure I don’t miss any COVID-19 updates from the College?

Be sure to monitor your email as well as this webpage. The College community will also be alerted via text message as necessary.

Noncredit Continuing Education, Workforce and Professional Development Students

Will noncredit classes, workshops, and/or programs be held online this fall?

Most of the noncredit classes, workshops, contract trainings, and workforce programs operated by the Division of Workforce and Economic Innovation (WEI) will be held online this fall with a limited number of offerings being held on campus. A complete list of fall professional development offerings can be found here.