Health Guidelines

Updated September 15, 2021

Each member of the community plays a critical role in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and keeping Yale healthy.

All students, faculty, and staff must commit to following health and safety guidelines and setting an example for their peers. Because state and public health officials may need to adjust their policies based on the status of COVID-19 spread in our region, the guidelines here may be updated regularly.

For Everyone

Fall 2021 Testing Requirements

While vaccination trends are very encouraging and incidences of cases on campus remains low, we are seeing an increase as we approach the fall semester and faculty, staff and students return to campus. COVID-19 testing remains a key part of our strategy to prevent outbreaks. Fall testing policies are outlined here. Note that policies may change as local and national conditions evolve. If you have questions you may contact the Campus COVID Resource Line at 203-432-6604.

For All Members of the Community
Voluntary asymptomatic and symptomatic testing is available to all community members at any time through the Yale COVID-19 Screening Program. Individuals are encouraged not to hesitate to schedule a test in the event of possible exposure or if having symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.

All required testing must be performed at Yale University test sites.

Undergraduate Students

Exempted, or in the process of completing vaccination

  • Arrive on campus or in New Haven one week early
  • Test within 24 hours of arrival
  • Quarantine for a full seven days
  • Ongoing required twice weekly testing (or until fully vaccinated). Tests must be no more than three days apart. Options are Monday+Thursday, Tuesday+Friday, or Wednesday+Saturday. Test sites are open Sunday as a catch-up day. If four or more days pass between tests, you will receive noncompliance messages and appear on noncompliance reports.

Fully vaccinated (both on and off campus residents)

  • Test within 24-48 hours of arrival; no quarantine is required
  • Weekly testing required

Detailed arrival testing instructions may be found on the Yale College website.

Yale COVID-19 Screening Program

Graduate and Professional Students

Exempted, or in the process of completing vaccination

  • Students not already in residence in New Haven or CT prior to August 1:
    • Arrive on campus or in New Haven one week early
    • Test within 24 hours of arrival
    • Quarantine for a full seven days
  • Students in residence in New Haven or CT prior to August 1: Test and quarantine until that test is negative prior to starting your academic program
  • Ongoing required twice weekly testing (or until fully vaccinated). Tests must be no more than three days apart. Options are Monday+Thursday, Tuesday+Friday, or Wednesday+Saturday. Test sites are open Sunday as a catch-up day. If four or more days pass between tests, you will receive noncompliance messages and appear on noncompliance reports.

Fully vaccinated

  • Residents of Yale dormitories (Helen Hadley Hall, Harkness Hall, Baker Hall, 276 Prospect, 254 Prospect, and 272 Elm)
    • Test within 24-48 hours of arrival, and
    • Weekly testing required
  • Graduate and professional students in Architecture, Art, Divinity, Drama, Environment, Law, Management, and Music
    • Test within 24-48 hours of arrival, and
    • Weekly testing required
  • Other students living off campus: An arrival test is recommended prior to coming to campus; no routine testing requirement

Detailed arrival testing instructions may be found in an August message to students.

Yale COVID-19 Screening Program

Faculty, Staff, and Postdoctoral and Postgraduate Trainees

Fully vaccinated

  • No routine testing requirement; strongly encouraged to test in the event of exposure, if advised by a Contact Tracer, or if experiencing symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.

Exempted or in the process of completing vaccination

  • Ongoing required twice weekly testing (or until fully vaccinated). Tests must be no more than three days apart. Options are Monday+Thursday, Tuesday+Friday, or Wednesday+Saturday. Test sites are open Sunday as a catch-up day. If four or more days pass between tests, you will receive noncompliance messages and appear on noncompliance reports.

Yale COVID-19 Screening Program

Family Members of Yale Students, Faculty, and Staff

Family members or dependents may be eligible for testing through the Yale COVID-19 Screening Program depending on certain criteria. Learn more about testing options for family members.