Beginning April 15, 2023, VCCA’s COVID guidelines will be updated. All Fellows will be asked to take a COVID test prior to arrival at VCCA and to take another test three days after arrival. A Fellow testing positive should inform VCCA staff immediately. Fellows are welcome to wear a mask and maintain social distance if they are more comfortable doing so. VCCA will continue to require Fellows to provide proof of COVID vaccination, along with a booster received within the 12 months prior to arrival at VCCA, or proof of medical exemption.
The safety of our Fellows and staff is our top priority. VCCA will be following all CDC, state, and federal recommendations and guidelines as they evolve.
These guidelines are subject to change.
On your residency contract, you will be asked to agree to abide by VCCA COVID guidelines. Fellows refusing to abide by the guidelines will be asked to leave.
Requirements for Residency
COVID-19 vaccination and a recent CDC-recommended booster (received within the 12 months prior to your arrival) are required for any residency at VCCA. Exceptions may be made for those with verified health concerns preventing vaccination/booster shots; documentation is required as proof of vaccination status and/or exemption.
Fellows are required to complete a COVID Waiver form no later than 14 days prior to arrival.
Monitor your health
We ask that you stay home if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms of COVID-19. We will work with you to reschedule your residency. If you develop any of these symptoms while at VCCA, please notify the office immediately.
- Fever or chills
- New loss of taste or smell
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Congestion or runny nose
- Fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle or body aches
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
If you learn that you have been exposed to COVID-19
Please contact VCCA immediately at vcca@vcca.com and plan to delay your travel until a minimum of 5 days after exposure, following CDC guidelines for isolation. We will work to reschedule your residency if necessary.
Traveling to VCCA
Please follow all CDC guidelines while traveling to VCCA.
- Use masks.
- Practice physical distancing.
- Practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
More information available here.
Upon arrival at VCCA
- For your first 3-5 days (until completion of a COVID-19 test in the VCCA office), wear a mask and/or face covering while indoors at VCCA, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, unless alone in a closed room/studio or while eating.
- Practice physical distancing.
- Practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
- We encourage all Fellows to keep their distance from others, especially during their first week of residency.
- Please limit the frequency and duration of trips off the VCCA grounds. Use masks in indoor public spaces while visiting Amherst, Lynchburg, Sweet Briar College, or any locations outside of VCCA, even though you are vaccinated. Be sure to practice masking, physical distancing, and good hand hygiene when out in the Real World.
COVID Testing
We ask all Fellows to arrive with a rapid COVID-19 test kit that you will self-administer in the VCCA office 3-5 days after your arrival. Please wear a mask indoors and maintain social distance from others until you have completed your COVID-19 test.
Please do not self-administer the tests privately. We want to be sure to monitor the testing directly.
If you prefer to take a PCR test, testing is available at the CVS pharmacy at 112 S Main Street in Amherst, just five minutes from VCCA. VCCA does not provide transportation for testing appointments. If you will not have a car, we recommend contacting Tabb’s Cab to schedule transportation for the test. You must schedule the test in advance at cvs.com. Note that the ZIP code for Amherst is 24521. Be sure to answer “yes” to the question: “Are you a resident in a special setting where the risk of COVID-19 transmission may be high?” VCCA meets the criteria for a “group home” because of shared dining and living spaces. An affirmative answer here will allow you to be tested. You will be given an appointment for a test that is self-administered at the drive-through window of the Amherst CVS. It can take two or three days to receive the results of the test. When you receive the results, please send a copy of the results to vcca@vcca.com with “Test Results” as the subject.
Accommodations
Each Fellow will be assigned a private bedroom with private, en-suite bathroom and individually controlled HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), as well as a private studio with individually controlled HVAC.
Visitors may be allowed in VCCA buildings at the discretion of VCCA staff on a case-by-case basis.
Housekeeping
Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the common areas around the property.
Cleaning supplies will be provided in every bedroom and studio. Clean and sanitize your workspace and bathroom.
Housekeeping will enter and clean your bedroom unless you state otherwise. If you prefer that housekeeping not enter and clean your room, please notify housekeeping by submitting an online maintenance request. If you prefer that your room not be cleaned, you will be provided with clean linens and towels for your bedroom each week.
Laundry facilities are available for use by Fellows.
Between residencies, bedrooms and studios are aired out and cleaned thoroughly using enhanced cleaning protocols, based on CDC recommendations.
Food Services
Outdoor dining is strongly encouraged for all meals. We recommend the patio outside the Fellows Residence for breakfast and dinner. We encourage Fellows to eat lunch at the tables outside the Studio Barn or in their studios.
VCCA is pleased to partner with Meriwether Godsey Inc for its food services. A company committed to stewardship, reduced waste, and sourcing food locally, Meriwether Godsey has a great reputation for innovative menus and close attention to food sensitivities and allergies. The company partners with regional businesses and schools, including nearby Sweet Briar College.
From Meriwether Godsey:
Meriwether Godsey is committed to the health and safety of our communities. The dining staff is here to feed you, keep you safe, and welcome you! This is our promise to you – In partnership with local government and health officials, we are committed to the following policies and practices:
- Dining Staff will make safety our number one priority through sanitation and safe food handling with increased vigilance.
- Dining Staff will be monitored daily for wellness.
- All managers and supervisors are ServSafe certified and have completed COVID-19 training and certification.
- All tables, chairs, and contact surfaces will be cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected regularly.
- All service areas and seating areas will comply with state social distancing guidelines.
- Hand sanitizer will be readily available to all guests and staff.
Kitchens at the Studio Barn
There are three kitchens at the Studio Barn available for use by Fellows. Each kitchen is furnished with a microwave, refrigerator, and cleaning supplies. The main kitchen in the Studio Barn also has a stove and dishwasher. Please place your dishes in the dishwasher for a fully sanitizing wash. The dishwasher will be run by the facilities staff each day.
Updated March 29, 2023