*For more information, please visit the Campus Services websiteThe federal and Massachusetts governments rescinded many of their COVID-19 requirements. Harvard' activity and workplace planning information summarizes its current on campus COVID-19 guidance.
University-wide guidance may be supplemented by school or Central Administration unit policies.
As always, the situation is closely monitored and guidance is updated when warranted by changes in public health conditions.
Activity guidance provides schools and units with Harvard's minimum requirements for reducing the risks of SARS-CoV-2 transmission on campus. These requirements are guided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations and established by Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) in consultation with the Medical Expert Advisory Committee.
As always, Harvard's goal is prioritizing the health and safety of our campus community while supporting its academic and research mission.
Harvard revises this guidance as required by regulatory and scientific evidence updates, and its recommendations supersede earlier guidance.
Schools and units should familiarize themselves with this information and develop systems to ensure local compliance. In limited settings, schools and units may institute more restrictive requirements to address their local needs or unique risk factors.
During periods of high viral transmission, increasing positive cases or clusters, or specific recommendations from HUHS, Harvard may adjust local policies including, but not limited to:
Scope
This information applies to activities occurring in Harvard’s academic, administrative, and public spaces, known as “on campus” spaces.
On campus space examples:
On campus spaces don’t apply to:
Instructions
Please review and follow the Public Health section’s general guidance.
School and unit leadership should monitor this information for updates relevant to their communities and ensure it is shared with those who need to know within their school or unit.
If, in rare cases, you feel that a specific situation offers compelling reasons to be more permissive than outlined, consult Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) and EHS.
For simplicity, we refer to both the disease (COVID-19) and the virus (SARS-CoV-2) as COVID-19.
Harvard’s guidance is intended to comply with the Executive Order on Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors and the related Safer Federal Workforce Task Force COVID-19 Workplace Safety: Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors.
Learn how to protect yourself and others against COVID-19.
Per Massachusetts’ face mask advisory for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, if you are fully vaccinated you should wear a mask indoors if either:
The Department of Public Health particularly urges this recommendation if:
Face coverings and masks must be worn in healthcare facilities per federal and Massachusetts requirements.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
After COVID-19 Exposure
Updates reflect Crimson Clear discontinuation. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 now manages their isolation and discharge independently. Refer to HUHS, which reflects current CDC guidance.
Face Coverings
Clarifies that individuals completing isolation or quarantine should follow CDC isolation and precautions for removing your mask. Masks are generally required through day 10 at minimum, even if your isolation ends after five days.
Isolation
Updates reflect Crimson Clear discontinuation. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 now manages their isolation and discharge independently. Refer to HUHS, which reflects current CDC guidance.
Return to Work and Other Activities After Isolation
Updates reflect Crimson Clear discontinuation. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 now manages their isolation and discharge independently. Refer to HUHS, which reflects current CDC guidance.
A negative COVID-19 test is not required to return to work, except in limited circumstances for Harvard's healthcare and childcare workers.
Vaccination
Updates include Harvard’s current COVID-19 vaccination policy:
Harvard requires all students who will be on campus to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. Harvard works to continue the high vaccination levels needed to protect our community, and highly recommends all community members be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. This Harvard community includes faculty, staff, and researchers who will have any on-campus presence.
New Harvard employees must attest to receiving their primary vaccination series upon hire. As of December 22, 2022, current employees don’t have to submit COVID-19 documentation to HUHS for compliance purposes.
Recommended attestation language updates replace full vaccination plus booster requirements for those eligible with “I am up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations per the current CDC definition”.
Viral Testing
Updates reflect Harvard’s viral testing program’s discontinuation. Resources direct Harvard community members to getting rapid antigen tests.
Harvard's requirements for testing positive for COVID-19 are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) current guidance.
Harvard retired the HUHS contact tracing team and Crimson Clear on December 22, 2022:
Those who test positive should manage their isolation and discharge independently. Refer to HUHS, which reflects current CDC guidance. Direct medical and symptom questions to your primary care physician clinician as needed.
Surface contamination is considered to pose little, if any, risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Schools and units may return to routine, pre-COVID-19 cleaning and disinfection standards in occupied buildings. Harvard doesn’t require enhanced cleaning of non-healthcare facilities and spaces.
You should continue practicing good personal hygiene by washing your hands in all settings before eating or touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Healthcare facilities should continue to clean and disinfect high-touch, shared surfaces in spaces after they are occupied by a COVID-19 positive individual, including door handles, handrails, and tabletops.
General use face coverings are optional in most indoor spaces on Harvard premises. Limited exceptions apply.
We strongly encourage you to consult the CDC's COVID-19 community levels for the Cambridge (Middlesex county) and Boston (Suffolk county) campuses to help make personal mask usage choices.
You are strongly encouraged to wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public areas classified as "high", regardless of your vaccination status or individual risk. If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness, the CDC recommends that you wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection, even when community risk is classified as "medium".
If you begin exhibiting undiagnosed symptoms of COVID-19 you must wear a mask and be tested for COVID-19. Continue to wear a mask and limit contact with others while awaiting your test results. See Viral Testing for more information on testing.
Harvard encourages you to have an acceptable face covering with you at all times for situations in which it may be required. We strongly recommend voluntary masking indoors and in crowded settings outdoors. High-quality disposable masks, worn with no gaps at the edges, can protect both you the wearer and those around you from COVID-19.
Continue to comply with face covering use guidelines in situations that require face coverings.
"General use" applies to faculty, staff, students, and visitors who must wear a face covering per current Harvard policy for source control on Harvard's premises.
Face coverings provide source control and protect others from potentially infectious droplets that may be generated by the wearer, which is particularly important as people can spread the SARS-COV-2 virus without showing symptoms.
Everyone is welcome to continue wearing a mask of any type for their own protection, or to protect someone else, if they choose to do so. Nobody should be made to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, or marginalized because they choose to wear a mask.
In limited situations when face coverings are required, anyone on campus not adhering to Harvard’s face coverings policy may be asked to leave campus or be subject to administrative action.
Where are face coverings required?
You must wear face coverings in HUHS and other healthcare facilities and other settings hosting vulnerable populations.
Follow CDC isolation and precautions for removing your mask when completing isolation or quarantine. Masks are generally required through day 10 at minimum, even if your isolation ends after five days.
Schools and units may continue to require masking in certain settings, depending on their population, rates of infection, and other public health data.
In settings where you must wear face coverings, you may remove your face covering while actively eating and drinking, unless otherwise prohibited within the space.
In settings like medical clinics and laboratories, additional PPE (like N95 respirators) may be needed instead of general use face coverings.
Harvard doesn’t have a separate mask policy for unvaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated Harvard and non-Harvard community members should ask their healthcare provider if they should wear a mask or respirator indoors.
To protect the privacy of our community and visitors, vaccination status is often unknown and wearing a mask in settings where not required to is personal decision. Masking decisions should be informed by the prevalence of community cases, and your vaccination status, age, and medical history.
We strongly encourage indoor masking if you have greater health risks or concerns. Masks continue to be highly effective in reducing risk of transmission regardless of vaccination status.
Harvard retired the HUHS contact tracing team and Crimson Clear on December 22, 2022.
Students and employees don’t have to report positive COVID-19 cases to HUHS.
Those who test positive should manage their isolation and discharge independently. Refer to HUHS, which reflects current CDC guidance. Direct medical and symptom questions to your primary care physician clinician as needed.
Harvard's requirements for testing positive for COVID-19 are based on CDC current guidance.
Isolation Reminders
Personal hygiene includes hand washing, coughing, sneezing, etc. Harvard provides some COVID-19 health and wellbeing personal hygiene requirements and resources.
If you are wearing a face covering and cannot safely remove it to cough or sneeze using tissues, you should cough or sneeze into your elbow while wearing your mask. Be sure to turn away from others and remain as distanced as possible.
Physical distancing is the space that should be maintained between individuals.
Physical distancing isn’t required indoors or outdoors.
To the extent feasible, unvaccinated individuals and those at higher risk for severe illness may choose to continue distancing themselves from others in addition to other precautions recommended by their healthcare provider.
Per HUHS, you must fulfill your healthcare provider’s or the CDC’s isolation guidance before returning to work or other activities.
Negative COVID-19 tests are not required to return to work, except in limited circumstances for Harvard healthcare and childcare workers.
Students who test positive should continue to follow local guidance for whom to contact about academic or residential accommodations. Students don’t need to notify HUHS unless the infection affects the 90-day timing of their mandatory COVID-19 vaccination.
Employees who test positive should notify their manager of their positive case and their anticipated return-to-work date. Employees and their managers should work together, following standard Human Resources policies.
Those unvaccinated and in prolonged close proximity to infectious (virus-shedding) people have the greatest risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2. Viral transmission increases when infectious people are unmasked and are exhaling forcefully, such as while exercising, singing, or shouting.
Wearing face coverings, particularly by unvaccinated people when in close proximity, can dramatically reduce the risk of viral transmission.
Viral-laden aerosols and other droplets are more readily diluted, dispersed, and diminished when outdoors, although the risk is not zero. Vaccinated people may still become infected and transmit SARS-CoV-2 to others. Mask use, both indoors and outdoors, offers protection to other unvaccinated people in their immediate vicinity.
Harvard requires all students who will be on campus to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.
Harvard works to continue the high vaccination levels needed to protect our community, and highly recommends all community members be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. This Harvard community includes faculty, staff, and researchers who will have any on-campus presence.
New Harvard employees must attest to receiving their primary vaccination series upon hire. Current employees don’t have to submit COVID-19 documentation to HUHS for compliance purposes.
Learn more about HUHS COVID-19 vaccine policies and requirements.
Visitors
Although Harvard’s vaccination policy only applies to its community members, some schools and units may have more restrictive policies in limited settings that require non-Harvard community member vaccination proof or attestation.
Notify non-Harvard community members that Harvard highly recommends they are up to date with their vaccinations before coming to campus. Such members include non-embedded vendors, visiting scholars, speakers, students or faculty from other academic institutions, families and guests of Harvard students, alumni, and human subjects participating in research.
Prior to arriving on campus, non-Harvard community members should check with the local school or unit they are visiting to verify specific vaccination policies that may be in place.
Find out if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.
If you are already up to date with your vaccinations:
Schools and units may voluntarily choose to extend Harvard’s vaccination requirements to non-Harvard community members, including members of the general public, if they meet these conditions:
Schools and units may require unvaccinated individuals to attest or display proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test (within the past calendar day prior to campus activity).
Schools and units may instead require vaccination attestation or exemption, rather than proof. Attestation strategies include signage at entries, inclusion in registration process or forms, and sign-in sheets.
Use this language when requiring attestation:
"I attest that I satisfy one of the following requirements:
Schools and units may choose to require non-Harvard community member vaccination proof or attestation or a negative COVID-19 test result (within the past calendar day).
We don’t recommend any other apps for reviewing vaccination proof besides My Vax Records.
Harvard community members aren’t expected to further disclose their vaccination status to individual schools or units.
CDC-recommended ventilation methods for all rooms and spaces can improve indoor air quality and potentially further reduce exposure to viral particles.
Harvard provides best management practices for all rooms and spaces and additional controls for rooms where the mechanical ventilation characteristics are known, unknown, and where there is no mechanical ventilation and operable windows.
Mechanically Ventilated Spaces: Known Characteristics
Consider enhancing the system’s filter rating efficiency where feasible to increase the portion of fresh air introduced and total airflow. Refer to the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) 62.1 standard for recommended ventilation parameters.
Mechanically Ventilated Spaces: Unknown Characteristics
Use the controls in Mechanically Ventilated Spaces: Known Characteristics, as well as:
No Mechanical Ventilation and No Operable Windows
If no mechanical ventilation or operable windows exist implement all controls from Mechanically Ventilated Spaces: Known Characteristics and Mechanically Ventilated Spaces: Unknown Characteristics, as well as:
Avoid directing air past one person towards another person when positioning units and place the air intake between multiple people when possible. Always follow the manufacturer’s unit positioning instructions.
Some schools and departments may require more restrictive control measures.
See Building/Facilities Operations, Systems, & Management: Frequently Asked Questions for more information about rooms and spaces.
Harvard doesn’t require surveillance testing for COVID-19. All affiliates with an on campus presence are encouraged to test before and after travel and whenever there is increased risk for or suspicion about COVID-19 infections.
Rapid antigen tests are readily available at local pharmacies and through your insurance. They can be taken at home and provide results in minutes.
HUHS doesn’t distribute antigen test kits to the on campus community. We encourage community members to get their eight free antigen tests through their health insurance.
We encourage all Harvard community members to be prepared by getting antigen test kits and having them accessible if you might need to test.
External PCR testing is available at local pharmacies. Find local Massachusetts PCR testing options.
Free Rapid Antigen Tests
As of January 15, 2022, your benefit plan may cover up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests every 30 days (per member). That means you'll pay a $0 copay for your tests. Learn more about getting rapid antigen tests.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
After COVID-19 Exposure
Updates reflect Crimson Clear discontinuation. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 now manages their isolation and discharge independently. Refer to HUHS, which reflects current CDC guidance.
Face Coverings
Clarifies that individuals completing isolation or quarantine should follow CDC isolation and precautions for removing your mask. Masks are generally required through day 10 at minimum, even if your isolation ends after five days.
Isolation
Updates reflect Crimson Clear discontinuation. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 now manages their isolation and discharge independently. Refer to HUHS, which reflects current CDC guidance.
Return to Work and Other Activities After Isolation
Updates reflect Crimson Clear discontinuation. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 now manages their isolation and discharge independently. Refer to HUHS, which reflects current CDC guidance.
A negative COVID-19 test is not required to return to work, except in limited circumstances for Harvard's healthcare and childcare workers.
Vaccination
Updates include Harvard’s current COVID-19 vaccination policy:
Harvard requires all students who will be on campus to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. Harvard works to continue the high vaccination levels needed to protect our community, and highly recommends all community members be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. This Harvard community includes faculty, staff, and researchers who will have any on-campus presence.
New Harvard employees must attest to receiving their primary vaccination series upon hire. As of December 22, 2022, current employees don’t have to submit COVID-19 documentation to HUHS for compliance purposes.
Recommended attestation language updates replace full vaccination plus booster requirements for those eligible with “I am up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations per the current CDC definition”.
Viral Testing
Updates reflect Harvard’s viral testing program’s discontinuation. Resources direct Harvard community members to getting rapid antigen tests.
Change Contact: Marykate Franks
After COVID-19 Exposure
The CDC no longer requires quarantine for any individuals, regardless of their vaccination status, after being exposed to COVID-19.
The CDC's recommended steps following an exposure to a COVID-19-positive individual are outlined. Take a viral COVID-19 test at least five full days after the last exposure.
Return to Work and Other Activities After Isolation
The CDC no longer requires quarantine for any individuals, regardless of their vaccination status, after being exposed to COVID-19. Language concerning quarantining individuals exposed to COVID-19 is removed.
Vaccination
The CDC now has different criteria for who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, and when they can be obtained.
Viral Testing
Language on Harvard University's viral testing program is updated to reflect current testing protocols.
The University no longer requires regular surveillance testing. Antigen tests are available through private insurance. University-sponsored, optional PCR viral testing through Color is available until September 16, 2022.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Face Coverings
Boston and Cambridge campuses are now classified as "low" in the CDC's COVID-19 community level.
We have revised our guidance to reiterate that although general use face coverings remain optional in most indoor spaces, we recommend individuals continue consulting the CDC's COVID-19 community levels for the Cambridge and Boston campuses (Middlesex and Suffolk counties respectively) to help make a personal choice on mask usage.
Wearing a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status or individual risk, is strongly encouraged in areas classified as "high". The CDC also recommends that if you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness you wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection, even when community risk is classified as "medium".
See Face Coverings for additional details.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Face Coverings
Although the University policy on face coverings remains unchanged, Face Coverings was updated to provide recommendations on face coverings consistent with CDC guidance for areas classified as "High" in the CDC's COVID-19 community level designation.
As our Boston and Cambridge campuses are now classified as "High" in the CDC's COVID-19 community level, we strongly encourage wearing a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status or individual risk. The CDC also recommends that if you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness you wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection.
Any persons that begin exhibiting undiagnosed symptoms of COVID-19 must mask and be tested for COVID-19. Persons should continue to mask and limit contact with others while awaiting test results. See Viral Testing for more information on testing.
Harvard University community members are encouraged to have an acceptable face covering on their persons at all times for situations in which they may be required. At this time, we also strongly recommend voluntary masking indoors and in crowded settings outdoors. High-quality disposable masks, worn with no gaps at the edges, can protect both the wearer and those around them from COVID-19.
Viral Testing
Viral Testing was updated to reiterate that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or known exposure to COVID-19 should test. Harvard community members may use a Color test or rapid antigen COVID-19 test. Additional information on obtaining tests, recommendations on when to test, and instructions for interpreting rapid antigen test results are included in the update.
Rapid antigen COVID-19 tests detect current infection and are sometimes also called "home tests," "at-home tests," or "over-the-counter (OTC) tests." Always read the complete manufacturer's instructions for use before using the test. If the test result is positive, the test detected the virus and you have an infection. Follow isolation instructions. Harvard community members must report positive status through Crimson Clear. A negative self-test result means that the test did not detect the virus and you may not have a COVID-19 infection, but it does not guarantee you do not have COVID-19. If you have symptoms and your first rapid test was negative, you should repeat the test within a few days, with at least 24 hours between tests, or obtain a molecular or PCR test.
If you are attending multiple events on campus, especially while unmasked, periodic testing throughout the week can help to detect and prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is strongly recommended to test immediately before the gathering, or as close to the time of the event as possible. This is especially important before gathering with individuals at risk of severe disease, older adults, those who are immunocompromised, or people who are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, including children who cannot get vaccinated yet.
Be prepared by securing a supply of rapid antigen tests in advance. For more information on securing tests prior to arriving on campus, please see the Department of Health and Human Services free at-home COVID-19 tests or Harvard University COVID-19 Information: Testing & Tracing.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Cleaning and Disinfection
Enhanced cleaning of non-healthcare facilities and spaces is no longer required. The CDC reiterates the low risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via surface contamination. Harvard community members should, nonetheless, wash their hands before preparing food, eating, drinking, or touching their face, and after using the bathroom.
Certain limited settings, including healthcare facilities, continue to require enhanced cleaning and disinfection in between uses or visits from persons who are positive for COVID-19.
Quarantine
References to required viral testing cadences were removed.
Vaccination
Vaccination was updated to reiterate that viral testing is still required for anyone with symptoms or known exposure to COVID-19. Regular surveillance testing will continue to be available on an optional basis.
Viral Testing
Viral Testing was updated to reflect the University's shift to no longer requiring regular, surveillance testing. Testing will continue to be available on an optional basis. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or known exposure to COVID-19 should test.
See Harvard University COVID-19 Information: Testing & Tracing for information on this transition.
Change Contact: Marykate Franks
Federal Guidance
Federal guidance was updated to reflect current guidance concerning face covering usage on public and private transit.
Massachusetts and Local Requirements
Massachusetts and local requirements were updated to reflect current guidance concerning face covering usage on public and private transit.
Face Coverings
Consistent with current federal and local guidelines, face coverings was updated to remove the mask requirement for public and private transportation, including University shuttles and buses. Face coverings are still recommended in these settings, but are not required.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Public Health
Face Coverings
Consistent with current local and guidelines, Face Coverings has updated to remove the mask requirement for indoor events and gatherings exceeding 250 people. Some public-facing institutions continue to require masking. These policies are being reevaluated regularly and current policies should be confirmed before visiting.
Schools and Central Administration units may continue to require masking in certain settings, depending on their population, rates of infection, and other public health data. Other limited exceptions still apply (i.e., healthcare facilities, public transit), and in such cases individuals must continue to comply with face covering general use guidelines.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Activity & Workplace Planning
Provided an updated overview of campus COVID-19 guidance:
Campus COVID-19 guidance continues to be adjusted and many of the restrictions put in place over the past two years have been lifted. Most notably, as of March 14, 2022 the Activity Specific section of this guidance has been rescinded and schools and units shall focus on core public health principles when developing local policies and planning activities and events.
University-wide guidance may be supplemented by school or Central Administration unit policies.
As always, the situation will be closely monitored and this guidance will be updated when changes in public health conditions warrant.
Federal Guidance
This section has been updated to reflect current federal guidance.
Massachusetts and Local Requirements
This section has been updated to reflect current guidance including updates to the state face covering advisory.
Activity-Specific:
The Activity Specific sections of this guidance has been rescinded and schools and units shall focus on core public health principles when developing local policies and planning activities and events.
For example, a school planning event shall look to the Public Health vaccination, viral testing, and face covering guidance to ensure that any applicable requirements are followed.
Public Health:
Face Coverings
This section has been significantly updated to incorporate the shift to optional masking in most indoor settings on campus. Limited exceptions do apply and in such cases individuals must continue to comply with the face covering use guidelines.
See Face Coverings for additional details.
Isolation
This section has been revised to specify that only Harvard community members are required to report positive COVID-19 diagnosis to HUHS.
Visitors, non-embedded vendors, and other non-Harvard community members are no longer required to report positive diagnosis, but should identify and notify potential close-contacts as soon as possible and follow CDC, MADPH, and healthcare provider instructions for isolation.
Physical/Social Distancing
This section has been revised to specify that physical distancing is no longer required indoors or outdoors.
Added the following reminder:
To the extent feasible, unvaccinated individuals and people at higher risk for severe illness may choose to continue distancing themselves from others in addition to other precautions recommended by their healthcare provider.
Vaccination
This section has been updated to include more specific vaccination guidance for visitors to campus.
Although the University's vaccination policy only applies to Harvard community members, some schools and units may have more restrictive policies that require proof or attestation of vaccination.
Prior to arriving on campus, non-Harvard community members should check with the local school or unit they are visiting to verify specific vaccination policies that may be in place.
Viral Testing
This section has been updated to include more specific viral testing guidance for visitors to campus.
Although the University's viral testing policy only applies to Harvard community members, some schools and units may have more restrictive policies that require proof or attestation of a negative COVID test prior to on-campus activity.
Prior to arriving on campus, non-Harvard community members should check with the local school or unit they are visiting to verify specific viral testing policies that may be in place.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Activity & Workplace Planning:
Provided an updated overview of campus COVID-19 guidance and the timeline for adjusting protocols, including the relaxation or removal of several requirements and particularly involving the use of face masks.
Public Health:
Face Coverings
Added additional guidance for the relaxation of mask requirements that may be implemented as early as March 7, 2022 under specific school policies for locations in the City of Boston.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Activity-Specific:
Classroom, Instruction, Lecture, and Designated Study Spaces
Reinstated guidance to allow exemptions for unmasking during instruction when authorized by local school or unit and all controls listed within Classroom, Instruction, Lecture, and Designated Study Spaces are met.
Clarified that PCR testing is not required for unmasked instruction when Color testing has been paused by HUHS due to a recent positive diagnosis.
Events and Gatherings: Indoors
Removed temporary restrictions put in place during COVID-19 surge:
- Events attendees may include members of the general public.
- Event attendees are no longer required to remain stationary while actively eating and drinking.
Fitness: Recreational Facilities and Health Clubs
Removed temporary distancing requirement put in place during COVID-19 surge for swimmers on the pool deck and within the pool when all other existing controls are followed.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Activity-Specific:
Building and Operations Open to the General Public
Added guidance to indicate that concessions and other licensed food establishments within buildings open to the general public must follow all requirements within Activity-Specific: Eating and Drinking.
Eating and Drinking
Added guidance:
Athletic and performance venues that are open to the general public may allow eating and drinking within general seating area. Attendees should be advised to reach out to the venue directly with questions regarding distanced dining options.
Events and Gatherings: Indoors
Reinstated maximum occupancy for non-sponsored indoor gatherings in private living spaces (dorm rooms) or suites within Harvard residence halls and dormitories to 25 persons, including residents. As a reminder, local policies may further restrict certain non-sponsored events and gatherings to Harvard community members only. This does not apply to common rooms within residence halls such as study spaces, lounges and meeting rooms.
Larger gatherings must be University-sponsored and supervised.
Removed language requiring hosts of gatherings within private rooms or residence halls to keep attendance for the purposes of contact tracing. All Harvard community members are expected to identify and notify their close contacts as soon as possible.Updated guidance to allow non-Harvard community members at indoor events with a food and beverage component if the event is not open to the general public and attendees are either Harvard community members in our viral testing program or are considered official visitors and adhere to all requirements listed within Activity-Specific: Visitors.
Events and Gatherings: 2022 Winter Term
Events and Gatherings: 2022 Winter Term has been removed.
Performances and Rehearsals
Reinstated guidance to allow exemptions for unmasking during performances when authorized by local school or unit and all controls listed within Activity-Specific: Performances and Rehearsals are met.
Visitors
Added visitors to a private event to the official visitors who will have short-term or limited access on campus definition.
Public Health:
Face Coverings
When authorized by local school or unit and all controls listed are met, additional exception for unmasking was added for performing and instructional art settings.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
February 3, 2022 Update
As COVID-19 cases in the community decline, some temporary restrictions put in place in response to the Omicron variant have been lifted. The situation will continue to be closely monitored over the next few weeks and guidance adjusted or reinstated as appropriate.
Schools and units continue to have discretion for guidance that remains a recommendation, however, unless there is a strong and compelling reason, policies should be temporarily revised to reflect all recent updates, and changes communicated to their local communities.
Activity-Specific:
Eating and Drinking
Amended guidance to allow areas designated for eating and drinking to reopen to full capacity:
Schools and units may consider reopening in-person dining spaces that have been temporarily closed or converted to all grab-n-go. Regardless, to the extent feasible schools and units should continue offering grab-and-go food service as an option and ensure designated space is available for physically distanced dining (see the following for more details).
Diners must be reminded to remain masked except while actively eating and drinking and should be encouraged to limit their time in the dining area to enable access for others.
Events and Gatherings: Indoors
Revised guidance to allow a food and beverage component at indoor events if all of the following requirements are met:
- Attendees are all Harvard community members in our viral testing program.
- Space is provided for physically distanced dining.
- Attendees remain stationary while unmasked.
- All other existing guidance within this section and eating and drinking section is followed.
Vendors
Updated guidance around vaccinations to include booster requirement (if eligible) for embedded vendors.
Visitors
Rescinded strong recommendation to exclude or limit visitors to campus:
Schools and units may resume allowing visitors on campus provided all of the requirements within this section are strictly followed.
Strongly consider requiring that all short-term visitors (defined in “Official visitors who will have short-term or limited access on campus”) attest to or demonstrate proof of vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test if accessing non-public spaces on campus.
Public Health:
Vaccination
Updated vaccination attestation language to include booster requirement for those eligible.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
The Public Health: Quarantine and Public Health: Return to Work and Other Activities after Quarantine or Isolation sections have been updated to align with University protocol for using Crimson Clear and add clarifying recommendations for healthcare and childcare workers.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Public Health:
Quarantine
This section has been updated to clarify expectations based on whether an individual is up to date on their vaccines (including boosters). Additional details for vaccination and booster requirements are provided in the vaccination section of this guidance.
Vaccination
This section has been updated to reflect the change in booster eligibility.
To be considered up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations you must:
- Have completed primary series of an FDA- or WHO-authorized COVID-19 vaccine.
- Have received a COVID-19 booster dose if it has been at least five months since getting the second Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or if it has been at least two months after receiving the Johnson and Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.
For non-Harvard community members, schools and units may choose to require proof or attestation of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result (within the past calendar day). This guidance has been updated to now allow either PCR or rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. Guidance has also been shortened to require testing within one calendar day instead of 72 hours to better evaluate and detect a current infection prior to on-campus activity.
Additionally, added the following guidance regarding vaccination verification:
To speed up the process of reviewing proof of vaccination, schools and units may wish to encourage the use of digital vaccine cards (available at My Vax Records for people who received their vaccine in Massachusetts). Please note that we do not recommend the use of any other apps beyond the one mentioned above for reviewing proof of vaccination.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Added an expanded introduction to address critical updates as we welcome students back in January 2022 and begin the spring semester.
January 12th, 2022 Update
In response to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in our community and updates to federal, state, and local requirements, significant updates have been made to our policies and guidance for on-campus activities. These updates to the Harvard University On-Campus Activity Guidance supersede less stringent policies and recommendations until further notice. The situation will continue to be closely monitored over the next few weeks and guidance adjusted or reinstated as appropriate.
Schools and units continue to have discretion for guidance that remains a recommendation, however, unless there is a strong and compelling reason, policies should be temporarily revised to reflect all of these updates, and changes communicated to their local communities.
Federal Guidance
This section has been updated to reflect current federal guidance and CDC links.
Massachusetts and Local Requirements
This section has been updated to reflect current state and local requirements including the state mask advisory and local orders for face coverings in Boston and Cambridge.
Activity-Specific:
Classroom, Instruction, Lecture, and Designated Study Spaces
Allowance for schools and units to approve exceptions to masking policy in classrooms has been temporarily rescinded.
Instructors and professors must continue to wear face coverings in classrooms and other academic settings.
Eating and Drinking
Consistent with the last guidance update on December 18th, 2021, to the extent feasible schools and units should pivot to grab-and-go food service, separate seats by six feet in designated dining areas, and/or increase the number of seats or options for physically distanced dining. Self-service models (e.g., salad bars and hot food stations) in which all guests remain masked continue to be permitted.
Persons who have been released from isolation or quarantine prior to day 10 must remain physically distanced from others when unmasking for eating and drinking.
Events and Gatherings: 2022 Winter Term
Until further notice all food and beverages offered at indoor events and gatherings must be limited to take-out or grab-n-go.
All food and beverages from an event must be consumed within a private residence or within a designated eating and drinking space. See Activity-Specific: Eating and Drinking for more information.
Events and Gatherings: Indoors
Until further notice all food and beverages offered at indoor events and gatherings must be limited to take-out or grab-n-go.
All food and beverages from an event must be consumed within a private residence or within a designated eating and drinking space. See Activity-Specific: Eating and Drinking for more information.
Fitness: Recreational Facilities and Health Clubs
Revised guidance for swimmers to indicate they must maintain distance from other unmasked persons while on the pool deck and to the extent possible while within the pool.
Performances and Rehearsals
Allowance for Harvard performers to unmask during performances has been temporarily rescinded. All performers must wear face coverings in indoor performances and rehearsals.
Travel
This section has been updated to reflect current guidance on the Keep Harvard Healthy website.
Visitors
In response to the surge in COVID-19 cases globally and nationally, schools and units should strongly consider limiting or excluding non-essential visitors to residential spaces and non-public buildings and spaces on campus.
Consider school and unit policies that limit visitors to those with an academic-related purpose. This will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks.
Official visitors must be notified that Harvard has a vaccination and booster requirement and that they should plan to be up to date on all COVID-19 vaccinations before coming to campus.
Public Health:
Cleaning and Disinfection
Added additional guidance on cleaning shared restrooms in residential halls where community members are isolating in place: cleaning and disinfection performed by custodial staff is not necessary in private residences and within suites where all roommates are isolating in place together.
Face Coverings
Face covering section was updated to reiterate the importance of selecting and properly wearing a well-fitted mask in accordance with CDC guidance and Harvard’s indoor mask mandate.
An appropriate, tight-fitting, and multi-layered face covering provides source control that protects people around you and has been very effective in preventing transmission in combination with other control measures at Harvard University (see Use Guidelines for more information). We encourage the use of high-quality disposable masks, worn in a way that minimizes air gaps around the edges. Surgical-style masks or a cup style protective mask such as KN-95 or KF-94, layered under a form fitting fabric mask, can ensure an effective seal and good source control.
Isolation
This section has been updated to reflect new HUHS isolation instructions and expectations for community members.
Quarantine
This section has been updated to reflect new HUHS quarantine instructions and expectations for community members.
Vaccination
Added guidance on booster requirements and instructions to report. Harvard University community members are expected to receive and verify their COVID-19 booster with HUHS by January 31, 2022. Individuals who are not yet eligible to receive a booster dose by this date must receive and verify their booster dose with HUHS within 30 days after becoming eligible.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Added an expanded introduction to address critical updates leading into the extended winter break and January return.
December 18th, 2021 Update
Parallel to Harvard University’s December 18th, 2021 community-wide message responding to the Omicron variant and recent surge of COVID-19 cases in our community, the following updates to the Harvard University On Campus Activity Guidance supersede less stringent policies and recommendations until further notice. Unless there is a strong and compelling reason, schools and units should consider revising policies and communicating these changes to their local communities.
- Unless members of the same household, Harvard community members are strongly encouraged to resume physical distancing when unmasking indoors for activities such as eating and drinking.
- Eating and drinking areas: To the extent feasible, separate seats by six feet in designated dining areas, increase the number of seats or options for physically distanced dining, and/or pivot to grab-and-go food service.
- Events, gatherings, and celebrations that involve unmasking indoors are not advised by HUHS and EHS at this time, and at least through January of 2022. Consider cancelling, postponing, or switching to virtual options for all in-person gatherings, regardless of whether the event includes food and beverages.
- Encourage physical distancing whenever possible, regardless of vaccination status.
- Limit or exclude non-essential visitors to residential spaces and non-public buildings and spaces on campus.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Activity-Specific Updates:
Events and Activities: Off Campus:
The following section was added to reiterate the importance of advanced planning and communication about procedures and expectations for participants who test positive during University-sponsored, off-campus travel or events:
Schools/units and program coordinators planning off campus events of any duration, must plan and communicate the procedure in place and expectations for participants that become symptomatic or test positive during their off-campus travel or event. This should include information such as where the participants will complete their isolation, how services including food will be handled, travel plans, and cost considerations.
Events and Gatherings: 2021 Holiday & Year-End:
Added new guidance for 2021 holiday and year-end events and gatherings.
This guidance is intended to supplement existing guidance and provide more context for planning in-person events.
Although in-person events that allow eating and drinking are not prohibited, schools and units should carefully consider their local conditions or unique risk factors when planning. Multiple strategies and safety controls can be implemented to reduce risk factors.
Events and Gatherings: 2021 Holiday & Year-End:
As winter break approaches and schools, units, and departments plan holiday and year-end events and gatherings, the following should be considered:
- All minimum requirements for on-campus activity must be followed.
Schools and units may institute more restrictive requirements to address their local needs or unique risk factors.
- Indoor, off-campus/non-sponsored social gatherings that include unmasked activities continue to be identified as a common source of exposure and positive case clusters.
See Events and Gatherings: Indoors for more information about non-sponsored events.
- During periods of high viral transmission, increasing positive cases or clusters, and/or specific recommendations from HUHS, local policies for events may need to be adjusted.
- Plan events that do not include eating or drinking or offer to-go options at the conclusion of the event.
- Minimize unmasking activity by:
- Limiting time for eating and drinking.
- Assigning seats to limit close contacts while unmasked for eating and drinking.
- Encouraging guests to have completed Color tests within 72-hours of the event (this may require an additional test beyond their normal testing cadence).
- Reminding guests to only remove masks when actively eating and drinking and while stationary to avoid unmasked mingling among guests.
- Providing physically distanced seating options for guests that need or choose to remain distanced while unmasking for eating and drinking.
- Reducing the number of attendees by breaking event into smaller subsets of the school/unit or department.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Federal Guidance:
Added:
Harvard University’s On-Campus Activity Guidance is intended to comply with the Executive Order on Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors.
Activity-Specific Updates:
Performances and Rehearsals:
Expanded definitions to include performer(s) and recording crews, poetry, and other forms of entertainment as activities/settings in which the guidance applies.
Clarified that the increased viral testing requirement (at least twice weekly for performers who will unmask) applies when those performers are on campus and must always be within at least 72 hours of unmasking for a performance.
Visitors:
Added a new definition and requirements for official visitors that are minors.
For the purposes of this guidance minors are defined as anyone under the age of 18 who is not an enrolled Harvard student. New requirements/allowances/reminders for programs and activities involving minors:
- Minors are exempt from the University’s viral testing program, even if their visit exceeds seven days (within a six-week time period), if their program is not an overnight program, requires masks at all times while indoors, and physical distancing can be maintained for essential unmasking activities such as eating and drinking.
- Minors that are on campus for more than seven days (within a six-week time period) and are exempt from the University’s viral testing program, may be required to follow additional public health measures, as determined by HUHS and EHS. Programs and activities that fall under this category should reach out to HUHS/EHS in advance and as the program date approaches to discuss additional public health measures.
- All programs that involve having minors on campus more than seven days (within a six-week time period) must also include a process to verify that all participants are vaccinated. See Public Health: Vaccination for additional details.
- All programs involving minors must also be registered with the Harvard Youth Protection Office.
Updated the threshold for requiring enrollment into the University testing program from seven cumulative days throughout the year, to more than seven days (within a six-week time period) for all visitors. This eliminates the need to set up visitors who are only coming to campus once per week as a POIs.
As schools and units begin to welcome more visitors to campus, the following section was added to reiterate the importance of advanced planning and communication about procedures and expectations for visitors who test positive during their stay or visit:
Schools/units and program coordinators inviting guests on campus for overnight visits (on or off campus) of any duration, must plan and communicate the procedure in place and expectations for a visitor that tests positive during their stay. This should include information such as where the visitor will complete their isolation, how services (including food) will be handled, travel plans, and cost considerations.
The University is not equipped to provide isolation housing and services to non-Harvard community guests and visitors, which must be addressed at the school/unit level when planning for visitors.
Public Health Updates:
Vaccination:
Schools and units may choose to require proof of vaccination, rather than vaccination attestation which includes individuals who may qualify for an exemption and does not require proof.
If schools/units require vaccination, they must determine how they will handle vaccination exemption requests as HUHS cannot review and process these exemption forms for non-Harvard community members.
Schools/units may choose to require those not vaccinated to attest or display proof of a recent negative COVID-19 PCR test (within 72 hours prior to campus activity).
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Activity-Specific Updates:
Buildings and Operations Open to the General Public:
Removed the "Harvard-sponsored" signifier under the description for events and activities open to the general public to eliminate confusion between designating individuals as "general public" or "official visitors".
Events and Gatherings: Indoors:
Updated the guidance for non-sponsored events within private living spaces (dorm rooms) or suites within Harvard residence halls and dormitories to indicate that occupancy should continue to be limited and may not exceed the occupancy limit determined by the house dean or local school/unit policy. Local policies may further restrict certain non-sponsored events and gatherings to Harvard community members only. At no time should occupancy in private dwellings exceed 25 persons, including residents.
Visitors:
Revised language to clarify that official visitors are those who come to campus via invitation to Harvard-sponsored activities or events.
Added visitors whose access will be limited to areas only open to the general public to the list of official visitors who will have short-term or limited access on campus. The intent of this addition is to standardize the expectations for visitors and members of the general public who will have the same or similar presence and access on campus.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
General Updates:
Added an expanded introduction to address the structure of University guidance, including minimum University-wide standards in addition to local school/unit policies that may be more restrictive to address their local needs or unique risk factors.
Activity-Specific Updates:
Events and Gatherings: Indoors:
Principle Investigator has been added to examples of school/unit officials sponsoring and supervising an event.
Added language to reiterate that schools and units may temporarily institute more restrictive requirements to address their local needs or unique risk factors. Event organizers must check in with school/unit to review current policies for events and gatherings.
Revised language around non-sponsored events to clarify that that 10-person occupancy limit only applies to private living spaces (i.e., dorm rooms) or suites within Harvard residence halls and dormitories. This does not apply to common rooms within residence halls such as study spaces, lounges, and meeting rooms. Specific schools/units may have additional requirements and restrictions concerning visitors.
Added guidance to indicate that tents are considered an indoor space if more than two sides (or half the perimeter) are enclosed and must follow all guidance for indoor events and gatherings within this section.
Public Health Updates:
Vaccination:
Added language to clarify that because Harvard Community members are required to report vaccination status to HUHS, they should not be expected to further disclose vaccination status to individual schools or units. If an approved activity such as voluntary unmasking for performances or teaching specifically requires vaccination as one of the controls, schools/units choosing to verify such must not keep records or proof of vaccination.
For non-Harvard community members, schools/units may choose to require proof or attestation of vaccination or a negative PCR test result (within the past 72 hours).
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Activity-Specific Updates:
Performances and Rehearsals:
Clarified that Harvard University performers playing woodwind and brass instruments during rehearsals may use utilize slitted, instrument masks in lieu of a general use face covering if the listed conditions are met (non-slitted masks should be used when not actively playing these instruments).
Visitors:
Expanded the qualifications for visitors with short-term or limited access to campus to include those typically on campus for seven cumulative days or less, personal guests to a private residence or residence hall, visitors whose access will be limited to outdoors, and those who have been issued an HUID for access purposes only (e.g., Harvard Daycare pick-up/drop-offs).
The intent of this change is to provide better guidance for caretakers of Harvard residents or children that live on campus, dogwalkers, family, and other personal visitors that live off campus but may visit or come on site for greater than seven cumulative days. These types of visitors are not required to report vaccination status or enroll in the University’s viral testing program.
Vendors (new section):
Vendors and paid service contractors are not considered official visitors.
The new vendor section clarifies which vendors need to report their vaccination status and enroll in the viral testing program. If vendors are in the viral testing program, they are required to report their vaccination status.
Embedded vendors (RA, Securitas, Custodial staff, etc.) are required to report vaccination status and be enrolled in viral testing program.
Not all POIs are considered embedded vendors.
Not all vendors with an HUID or those considered POIs are required to report their vaccination status or enroll in the testing program. Schools and units will make this determination based on high-risk/low-risk criteria and examples provided within the updated guidance.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Activity-Specific Updates:
Events and Gatherings: Indoors:
Face coverings may only be removed when attendees are actively eating and drinking. This applies to all events on campus. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Provided additional considerations for planning events when there are increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases on campus.
Classrooms, Instruction, Lecture and Designated Study Spaces: During periods of high viral transmission, and while Harvard’s indoors face covering remains, instructors and professors must continue to wear face coverings unless the school/unit has authorized an exception based on a strong pedagogical necessity for this activity.
Eating and Drinking:
Added requirement to ensure that there are “distanced dining” seats available in every designated indoor dining space associated with a licensed food establishment (e.g., dining halls, retail cafes) or there is a close, alternate location available for distanced dining.
Added in guidance to consider strategies to de-densify indoor dining (restrict non-eating and drinking activities such as studying and meetings during peak meal periods, support take-out and grab-n-go options, or encourage diners to limit their mealtimes to 30 minutes or less).
Public Health Updates:
Face Coverings:
Added the following guidance: Fully vaccinated persons should consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for outdoor activities with close contact with others who may not be fully vaccinated.
Added language to include requirements within reinstated city of Cambridge face covering order.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Activity-Specific Updates:
Classrooms, Instruction, Lecture and Designated Study Spaces: Added language to re-emphasize that school and unit policies regarding unmasking allowances in academic settings that are more restrictive must be followed:
“Schools/units may choose to establish a higher minimum distance, or other restrictions based on local conditions, mode of instruction, and other considerations. Any additional school/unit policies that are more restrictive must be followed.”
Public Health Updates:
Cleaning and Disinfection: Added language to clarify timing expectations for enhanced cleaning following notification of a positive case within a space.
Viral Testing:
Added additional links to testing FAQs, including how to set up a color account, where to pick up and drop off tests, how to swab, and how to interpret test results.
Added an important reminder about dropping off test kits:
“Viral test kits must only be returned to the designated drop boxes by the individual who tested. These may not be passed onto others or collected separately for group drop-offs.”
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Activity-Specific Updates:
Events and Gatherings: Indoors: Per the reinstituted mask order in the City of Boston, all private events held on the Boston campuses must adhere to indoor masking requirements, unmasking only when actively eating and drinking.
Performances and Rehearsals: Provided new guidance on limited allowances for unmasking during performance arts rehearsals and performances.
Eating and Drinking Added guidance for eating and drinking spaces that are not equipped with a means for increased air exchange/flow or filtration.
Classrooms, Instruction, Lecture and Designated Study Spaces:
Clarified that unmasking allowances in this setting are not an option when classes are open to the general public.
Unmasking allowance must be approved by school/unit and any other more restrictive guidance provided by school/unit must be followed in addition to University policies.
With additional controls, including increasing viral testing to a minimum of two times per week, distance has been updated to a minimum of six feet.
Public Health Updates:
Face Coverings Added language to include requirements within the reinstated City of Boston face covering order.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Activity-Specific Updates:
Events and Gatherings: Indoors: Clarified that the cap on total persons for non-sponsored events applies to events and gatherings held in private living spaces or suites within Harvard residence halls or dormitories.
Visitors:
Added guidance outlining when Harvard visitors are required to report COVID-19 diagnosis.
Clarified that visitors that are on campus for less than seven days are only encouraged to receive a COVID-19 test on the day of arrival through a local clinic or pharmacy at their own expense if traveling from out of state.
Public Health Updates:
Face Coverings
Removed the following bullet to be consistent with current physical distancing and face covering guidance for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals:
“In crowded spaces outdoors (such as sporting events, concerts, etc.) where persons may not be protected by vaccination and physical distancing cannot be consistently maintained.”
Clarified that the allowance to remove face coverings in common areas of shared Harvard residence halls and dormitories applies only to shared private living spaces and suites within residence halls and dormitories.
Vaccination: Added additional section that provides guidance for schools/units that voluntarily choose to extend the University’s vaccination requirement to non-Harvard community members including visitors, program participants, non-embedded vendors, and members of the general public.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Activity-Specific Updates:
Removed Room and Space Use: General Guidance, Room and Space Use: Laboratory and Laboratory Support, and Room and Space Use: Specialized Skills Teaching and Practice Areas Requiring Close Contact.
Events and Gatherings: Indoors:
Added visitor limit of 10 persons for non-sponsored indoor gatherings in Harvard residence halls and dormitories.
For private events, face coverings must be worn by all guests when in any common areas of the event venue, including restrooms, entryways and lobbies.
Off Campus Activities and Events: Added new topic to address University sponsored and non-sponsored events that would take place off campus.
Performances and Rehearsals: Revised to include information on when fully vaccinated performers may remove their face coverings during performances and instructional arts (i.e., music, dance, singing, playing brass and woodwind instruments, and theatre settings). Fully vaccinated performers may be unmasked when at least 14 feet of distance can be maintained between unmasked performers and all other persons.
Eating and Drinking: Clarified information on eating and drinking in personal workspaces to include physical distancing of at least six feet from other persons.
Language on cleaning dining tables in licensed food establishment updated to reflect Massachusetts Food Code requirements.
Classrooms, Instruction, Lecture and Designated Study Spaces:
Clarified requirements for face coverings use.
Eating and drinking are not permitted in classrooms, only in designated areas. In instructional settings, professors and lecturers may choose to remove their face covering for the purpose of instruction. The requirements for this option are now included in this topic.
Public Health Updates:
Face Coverings
The language under the CDC and Massachusetts columns was changed to reflect current federal and state guidance.
Limited instances when face coverings can be removed in instructional and performing and instructional arts settings was clarified.
Ventilation: This new topic was added to provide best management practices to optimize ventilation and improve indoor air quality. This topic replaces previous guidance listed in EHS Rooms and Space Use: General Guidance.
Cleaning and Disinfection: Environmental Control Procedure (ECP) links and descriptions for enhanced cleaning and disinfection were updated.
Change Contact: Marykate Franks
Activity-Specific Updates:
Fitness: Recreational Facilities and Health Clubs: Added best practices for mask usage in recreational facilities with indoor swimming facilities.
Travel:
Included additional language on submitting vaccination status to HUHS.
Added language on the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs (OVPIA)’s travel petition process.
Visitors: Removed Crimson Clear requirements for visitors on campus for less than seven days. Visitors that are on campus for less than seven days are now encouraged to receive a COVID-19 test on the day of arrival through a local clinic or pharmacy at their own expense.
Room and Space Use: Eating and Drinking Areas: Identifying appropriate eating and drinking areas is the responsibility of local units and/or building management. Unvaccinated persons should ensure they take steps to plan and protect themselves while on eating and drinking by remaining physically distanced from others.
Room and Space Use: Beverage Consumption in Areas Not Designated for Eating and Drinking removed. Information on eating and drinking outside of appropriate eating and drinking areas (study spaces, corridors, etc.) has been moved to Activity-Specific: Room and Space Use: Eating and Drinking Areas.
Transportation: Transportation vehicle occupancy may return to pre-COVID-19 levels.
Public Health Updates:
Physical Distancing: With limited exceptions, physical distancing is no longer required indoors or outdoors. Unvaccinated persons should continue protect themselves while on campus, by practicing physical distancing when possible, especially when unmasked.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Updated the narrative section to consolidate current University policies and requirements to Activity-Specific and Public Health.
Existing requirements for Harvard visitors can be found in the modified topic of Activity-Specific. The decision to bring visitors on campus will rest with schools/units and their ability to successfully adhere to the current University requirements.
Activity-Specific Updates:
Travel Policy: Updated to provide guidance for domestic and international travel based on vaccination status.
Visitors: Revised the threshold for short-term visitors to seven days or less. Official visitors must abide by current University COVID-19 requirements while on campus.
General Public: Physical distancing restrictions will be lifted as of July 15, 2021 and venue capacity may return to pre-COVID-19 levels in all operations and spaces open to the general public. Visitors must continue to adhere to University face covering requirements and attest to their health (multiple strategies can be used) prior to entering Harvard buildings.
Indoor and Outdoor Events: Occupancy limits have been lifted and should be based on the school/unit’s ability to successfully adhere to University COVID-19 policies and guidance provided within Activity-Specific and Public Health.
Room and Space Use: Designated Eating and Drinking: Rooms designated for eating and drinking may now follow the Room and Space Use General Guidance. Physical distancing restrictions will be lifted as of July 15, 2021, and vaccinated persons may dine together indoors in close proximity.
Transportation: As of July 15, 2021 vaccinated persons may ride together in University vehicles.
Public Health Updates:
Physical Distancing: As of July 15, 2021 the University will no longer require that vaccinated persons observe physical distance requirements, either indoors or outdoors. Unvaccinated persons are still required to maintain physical distancing indoors.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Updated Activity-Specific: Transportation: Use of University Vehicles to include guidance and controls for allowing more than one occupant in University vehicles.
Change Contact: Cynthia Parenteau
Updated Activity-Specific to include University changes to certain activities, including outdoor events, fitness facilities, travel, official visitors, and significant changes to Rooms and Spaces.
Change Contact: Marykate Franks
Updated the narrative to reflect new University guidance.
Removed Local Requirements information from Activity-Specific and Public Health as both Boston and Cambridge align with Massachusetts.
Updated all Massachusetts and CDC information in Activity-Specific and Public Health to reflect the most recent regulatory changes.
Updated Public Health to reflect new University policy concerning cleaning and disinfection, face coverings, physical distancing, vaccination, and personal hygiene.
Updated Activity-Specific: Events and Gatherings: Indoors to reflect new University requirements.
Change Contact: Marykate Franks
Updated Activity-Specific and Public Health to include University and Massachusetts changes to certain activities, including outdoor and indoor events, vaccination, and travel.
Change Contact: Marykate Franks
Updated the narrative and Public Health to reflect the revised Massachusetts face covering order.
Change Contact: Marykate Franks
Created two new topics in Activity-Specific: Official Visitors and Buildings and Operations Open to the General Public.
Additional University interim requirements were added to Activity-Specific: Sports: Club and Intramural Amateur.
Change Contact: Marykate Franks
Updated Activity-Specific: Events and Gatherings to reflect changes to University requirements.
Added Public Health: Vaccination.
Added Activity-Specific: Room and Space Use: Independent Activity (Non-Instructional Hobbies, Art, Meditation).
Change Contact: Marykate Franks
Updated Activity-Specific and Public Health to reflect changes to University requirements.
Change Contact: Marykate Franks
Updated Activity-Specific and Public Health to reflect changes to Massachusetts and city requirements.
Change Contact: Marykate Franks
Updated Activity-Specific and Public Health to reflect changes to Massachusetts and city requirements.
Change Contact: Karen McInnis
Draft document originally shared with Academic Deans, Executive Deans, Vice Presidents, and other senior leadership.
Schools and units proposing a new activity not addressed in Harvard University On Campus Activity Guidance, or in rare cases, an activity that does not conform to Harvard University requirements, should submit a proposal for this activity to HUHS and EHS for review.
Non-Conforming/New Activity Proposal: Request for Review FormOver the summer of 2020 facilities and planning experts from across Harvard collaborated to draft guiding principles for returning to the workplace facility operations and high-level information gaps needed to inform planning. These guidelines were designed to support or enhance – and not to replace or reduce – all federal, state, local, and Harvard guidance.
These guidelines were superseded by Harvard University On Campus Activity Guidance. Historical reference documents are available through the Return to the Workplace Planning Team or your Designated Safety Officer (DSO).
