COVID Guidance

Last update: January 6, 2023
 
 

Building Access

  • Buildings are currently open during regular business hours.
  • After hours, buildings are locked and accessible only by those holding Harvard ID cards that have been activated with swipe access.
 

Contact Tracing and Exposure

  • As of December 22, 2022, the Contact Tracing team and Crimson Clear application were retired.
  • If you report a positive test result for COVID-19, please utilize the CDC guidance outlined on the Testing and Isolation page. You do not need to report your positive test result to HUHS.
  • For more information, refer to the Exposure, Quarantine, & Isolation Guidance.
 

Events, Meetings, and Gatherings

  • Meetings, events, and other gatherings, both indoors and outdoors, will be permitted as determined by the University’s On-Campus Activity Guidance. Please consult this evolving guidance throughout the planning process and immediately before your event.
 

FAQs

  • For FAQs related to COVID-19 and return to campus, please refer to the Division of Social Science COVID-19 Info.
 

Human Subjects

  • For on-campus research involving in-person human subjects, please refer to guidance from the Committee on the Use of Human Subjects (CUHS).
  • Escort participants to and from labs to ensure participants access only those spaces essential to their visit.
 

Masks

  • Masking is optional except in health care settings and where otherwise required for non-COVID reasons (e.g., some laboratories).
  • Even when optional, we strongly encourage indoor mask use, especially if local COVID-19 risks are medium or high.
  • We strongly encourage using high-quality disposable masks—such as KN95s—worn in a way that minimizes air gaps around the edges.
  • Be prepared, and always carry masks with you.
  • Masks are available on the second floor of William James Hall in Room 232.
 

Testing

  • Arrival Testing for Students: Rapid antigen testing is required upon arrival for all residential students and highly encouraged for students who live off campus.
  • Antigen and PCR Testing: Antigen testing is a fast, convenient, and reliable way to test when you have symptoms or want confirmation of your COVID status. Everyone is eligible for eight free antigen tests a month through your private insurance, and I highly recommend you take advantage of this benefit. For anyone who is covered under the University’s Express Scripts program, we have developed a brief tutorial on how to order your free test kits.
  • If you are enrolled in the Harvard University Group Health Plan (HUGHP) or a Harvard-sponsored Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) medical plan, you and your enrolled dependents can be reimbursed for, and purchase or order – at no charge to you – up to eight at-home COVID test kits each per 30-day period through Express Scripts (ESI). Visit the Harvie for more details.
 

Travel

  • If traveling from China, Hong Kong, or Macau, plan for required testing. In response to a significant surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in China, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now requires anyone traveling to the United States from China, Hong Kong, or Macau, including anyone traveling from Seoul, Toronto, and Vancouver who has been in China, Hong Kong, or Macau in the past 10 days, to show a negative COVID-19 viral test result taken no more than two days before their flight, or to show documented recovery from COVID-19 in the past 90 days. This mandate may require advance planning to avoid flight delays. Be ready for the possibility of delays and have backup plans to avoid missing responsibilities on campus.
  • When submitting a reimbursement request, Harvard requires faculty, staff, students, and researchers to submit a completed Vaccination and Booster Attestation form or letter from the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs (VPIA) approving a petition to travel if the traveler is not fully vaccinated or is eligible, but has not received a booster prior to travel.
  • Travel guidance can be found on the Harvard Travel Website and University COVID-19 Travel page.
  • Harvard faculty, staff, students, and researchers traveling internationally must continue to register with International SOS and submit the auto-generated email confirmation with their airfare reimbursement request.
  • All international travelers are now required to register their travel information with International SOS MyTrips so that the University may contact them and provide assistance in case of emergency.
  • Harvard’s normal travel policies for students continue to apply.
 

Treatment

  • Treatment is available for infected persons who exhibit symptoms—even when mild—if the individual is medically high-risk or age 50+. Early treatment can prevent severe illness and hospitalization. The state has established a convenient free telehealth service for higher-risk people interested in oral Paxlovid prescriptions.
  • Pre-Treatment for People with Immune Suppression: If you have moderate or severe immune suppression, speak to the health care provider who manages this condition. You might be eligible for Evusheld treatment, which offers extra protection against COVID-19 for people whose immune system cannot produce sufficient protection through vaccination. Evusheld should be repeated every six months for continued protection.

 

Vaccination

  • COVID-19 Vaccinations for Students: Students must be up to date according to the CDC definition. Students who fail to meet University vaccine requirements will be blocked from course registration.
  • COVID-19 Vaccinations for Employees: Employees must be fully vaccinated and boosted, and we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date according to CDC guidelines. Compliance for the primary series is still being monitored by local HR units.
  • All vaccines authorized by the World Health Organization will meet the University’s vaccine requirement.
  • You can read more about the requirement and how to submit documentation on the Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) website.
  • Students seeking a medical or religious exemptions from the vaccine requirement should complete the Student Vaccine Exemption Form.
  • Unvaccinated individuals may be subject to additional public health measures (e.g., masking, testing) above and beyond what is required of vaccinated individuals.
 

Visitors

 

Workplace Accommodations

  • Staff who have been asked by a supervisor to return to work are expected to return to work.
  • If you have concerns about working on campus due to a pre-existing health condition or other confidential matter, you may request Workplace Accommodations or contact Krista Lester to discuss your options.