Campus Health and Safety

As of May 11, 2023, confirmation of compliance with the University’s vaccination policy will no longer be required, coinciding with the end of the Federal COVID Emergency Order. Through May 10, new employees will be asked to return a Vaccination Attestation Form to FAS Talent Acquisition confirming that they are either vaccinated with the primary series or that they have an approved medical or religious exemption from HUHS. 

On or after May 11, new hires starting in FAS will no longer have to attest to having received the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines or to submit a request for exemption at mrecords@huhs.harvard.edu. The one exception to this requirement is that candidates/new hires for Harvard healthcare settings, like HUHS, will still be required to follow all immunization requirements as required by that unit.

Harvard no longer requires surveillance testing for COVID-19. However, all affiliates with an on-campus presence are encouraged to test before/after travel and when there is increased risk or suspicion about COVID-19 infection. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will now manage their isolation and discharge independently by referring to the HUHS website, which will reflect and provide links to current CDC guidance. Medical and symptom questions should be directed to the individual’s primary care physician clinician as needed.

Follow any required health and safety protocols, as well as individual protocols your local unit may have instituted. For example, you may need to check with your manager or department administrator about designated indoor eating and drinking spaces.

While social distancing is no longer required, please be mindful of those around you and their preferences for personal space.

Mask Policies

With limited exceptions, face coverings on campus are optional in all indoor spaces on Harvard’s campuses. Schools and Central Administration units may continue to require masking in certain settings as they deem appropriate. Schools may grant discretion to individual faculty to require masking in their classrooms. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, specific Harvard Schools or Central Administration units experiencing greater rates of infection may impose additional measures such as limitations on gatherings and increased frequency of testing.

If you feel the need to continue to wear a mask for your own protection, or to protect someone close to you, you should do so. The decision to wear a mask in settings where it is not required is a personal one, and it should be informed by the prevalence of cases in the community, your vaccination status, and your age/medical history. We strongly encourage indoor masking for persons with greater health risks or concerns. Masks continue to be highly effective in reducing risk of transmission regardless of vaccination status.

Nobody should be made to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, or marginalized because they choose to wear a mask. They should never feel obliged to explain the reasons for their decision. Many members of our community, or their family members and other loved ones, are vulnerable to complications from COVID and should continue to wear a mask.

• HUHS COVID-19 Information​​​​​​​
• Environmental Health & Safety COVID-19 Resources​​​​​​​