Health Guidelines

Updated May 21, 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

Summer 2021 Testing Requirements

To help prevent the transmission of asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 on campus, the university created the Yale COVID-19 Screening Program. Cases of COVID-19, both on campus and in the greater New Haven community, have dropped significantly as vaccination rates climb. COVID-19 testing remains a key part of our strategy to prevent outbreaks and continue the current positive trends. Summer testing policies are outlined here. If you have questions you may contact the Campus COVID Resource Line at 203-432-6604.

Undergraduate Students

Students residing on campus

Fully vaccinated students:

Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated students:

  • Test on arrival and quarantine until negative. Remain in college quarantine for 5-6 days until two additional tests are negative.
  • Twice weekly testing required until fully vaccinated status confirmed
  • Vaccination will be available through the Yale COVID Vaccine Program

Students residing off campus but accessing campus
Includes enrolled students, those employed on campus, or participating in other campus activities or programs

Fully vaccinated students:

  • Follow Yale travel guidance for fully vaccinated domestic or international travel when arriving in New Haven
  • No ongoing asymptomatic testing requirement

Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated students:

  • Follow Yale travel guidance for unvaccinated domestic or international travel when arriving in New Haven
  • Twice weekly testing required until fully vaccinated

Students who test positive
Students will be referred for contact tracing and will be required to isolate in designated on-campus rooms or in their off-campus residences until released by Yale Health. Medical monitoring and advice will be provided by Yale Health during isolation. See guidance for what to do while isolating:

Yale COVID-19 Screening Program

Graduate and Professional Students

Residing in Yale Housing units
Helen Hadley Hall, Harkness, Baker Hall, 254 Prospect St, 276 Prospect St. and 272 Elm St.

Fully vaccinated students: 

  • No routine asymptomatic testing required

Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated students: 

  • Weekly testing required until fully vaccinated (Note: this is a reduction in testing frequency for residents of Helen Hadley Hall and Harkness Hall.)

Residing off campus

Fully vaccinated students: 

  • No routine asymptomatic testing required

Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated students: 

  • Asymptomatic testing is voluntary during the summer, but is recommended for students for who vaccination is not yet completed.
  • Weekly asymptomatic testing requirements will apply for unvaccinated graduate and professional students beginning with the start of their academic program or August 1, whichever comes first.

Students who test positive
Students will be referred for contact tracing and will be required to isolate in their residences until released by Yale Health. Medical monitoring and advice will be provided by Yale Health during isolation. See guidance for what to do while isolating: Fact Sheet for Graduate and Professional Students

Yale COVID-19 Screening Program

Faculty and Staff

High contact staff
Faculty and staff will be notified if they fall into this category.

Fully vaccinated staff: 

  • No routine asymptomatic testing required.

Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated staff: 

All other faculty and staff

Fully vaccinated staff: 

  • No routine asymptomatic testing required.

Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated staff: 

  • Testing is voluntary, but it is recommended for faculty, staff, and trainees who are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated.
  • Asymptomatic testing protocols to be determined in the coming weeks.

Faculty and staff who test positive
Those who test positive will be asked to isolate at home for at least 10 days and until a health care provider informs them it is safe to return to campus. See guidance for what to do while isolating: Fact Sheet for Faculty and Staff

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.

Download testing requirements summary (.doc)

General Information

Vaccination
All faculty, staff and post-doctoral and post-graduate trainees must be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption from vaccination by August 1. The student vaccination requirement was announced earlier and FAQs are available here. Vaccine is currently widely available, including through Yale Health, and we urge all community members to seek vaccination now if not already vaccinated.

The testing and arrival quarantine policies on this page have been modified for fully vaccinated individuals.

  • Fully vaccinated is defined as two weeks since the second dose of a 2-dose series, or a single dose of Janssen/Johnson&Johnson vaccine.
  • In order to be considered fully vaccinated, students and staff MUST submit documentation of their vaccination to Yale, taking into account up to five days needed for processing.
  • Until vaccination information is confirmed in university systems, unvaccinated status will apply.

Arrivals and travel
In all cases, students, faculty, staff and trainees who are arriving from out of state or international locations must follow appropriate Yale travel requirements for vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals when returning to or arriving in New Haven. Students residing on campus during the summer may have additional requirements.

Voluntary and symptomatic testing
All members of the community, regardless of vaccination status, will continue to have access to asymptomatic testing if desired through https://covidtesting.yale.edu. Testing is strongly recommended in the event of a significant exposure to a known case. In addition, testing in the event of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 should be obtained through the Campus COVID Resource Line at 203-432-6604.