Health Guidelines

Updated September 29, 2022

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 2022 Testing Requirements for Faculty, Staff, and Students

Routine Asymptomatic Testing Requirements

  • Routine, asymptomatic COVID-19 testing requirements have been suspended for most faculty, staff, postdoctoral and postgraduate trainees, and students who are fully vaccinated.
  • Routine asymptomatic testing requirements for most faculty, staff, postdoctoral and postgraduate trainees, and students who are not fully vaccinated (and have an approved exemption) has also been suspended.
  • A small number of schools and units, in accordance with approved health and safety plans, have retained targeted and limited asymptomatic testing programs to support unique activities; those schools and units will contact their community members directly to inform them of any related requirements.
  • Any required PCR testing must be performed through the Yale COVID-19 Testing Program (the Testing Program).
  • Routine asymptomatic testing requirements are subject to change based on prevailing public health conditions and guidance.

Post-exposure Asymptomatic Testing

  • Faculty, staff, or students who have been exposed to COVID-19 or who have been identified as close contacts of individuals with COVID-19 should test on the day of exposure or notification and again 5 days after the exposure or notification. A PCR test is preferred in this circumstance.

Symptomatic Testing

  • Any faculty, staff, or students who develop symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 should mask and test as soon as possible, preferably with a rapid antigen test (RA test) if available. If the result of the RA test is negative, or a RA test is unavailable, individuals should test with a PCR test through the Testing Program and remain masked until the results return, or repeat a RA test in 24-48 hours. A single negative RA test does not rule out infection.
  • Symptomatic individuals should not go to work or class until testing negative on a PCR test or having 2 sequential negative RA tests 24-48 hours apart.
  • If above testing for COVID-19 is negative and significant symptoms persist, consult with your healthcare provider. Stay out of work or class until you no longer have a fever and are feeling better.
  • Testing as soon as possible when symptoms arise is extremely important to ensure timely access to effective COVID-19 treatments.

Voluntary Testing

  • Yale faculty, staff, and students are advised to get a COVID-19 test if they are symptomatic, think they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, have been identified as a close contact, or have a positive roommate. The Testing Program is also available for all faculty, staff, and students who wish to test, even if they are not required to do so.
  • Since most faculty, staff, and students will not participate in routine asymptomatic testing this fall, we also recommend that individuals consider getting a COVID-19 test in the following situations:
    • Before or after travel, as recommended in the Travel Policy.
    • A PCR test within 1 day prior to (or RA test the day of) attending a large, crowded indoor event of more than two hours that includes eating, drinking, physical activity, singing, or other aerosolizing activities where most of the participants are unmasked.
    • A PCR test within 1 day prior to (or RA test the day of) participating in an off-campus indoor community activity that includes individuals whose vaccination status is unknown (e.g., local tutoring and volunteering).
    • A PCR test 2-3 days after attending an event or activity if the risk factors above have been present.
    • A RA test for visitors, students, faculty, and staff travelers who have newly arrived on campus to attend an event. Returning students, faculty and staff should preferentially access on-campus PCR testing if results can be obtained prior to the event (24-36 hours turnaround).

Reporting Test Results
Faculty, staff, and students should continue to report positive results from PCR or RA tests performed outside the Testing Program to the university.

Required Testing for Students

Undergraduate Students

In addition to the requirements listed above, the following apply to undergraduate students.

Required Testing

  • Pre-arrival testing: All graduate and professional students traveling to campus are expected to have a pre-arrival COVID-19 test, preferably a rapid antigen test (RA test) on the day of travel. Alternatively, they may get a PCR test within 48 hours of travel. Any student who tests positive must report their result to the university and should not travel to campus until they have completed their required isolation. Students do not need to report negative test results.
  • Gateway/arrival testing: All undergraduate students must also have a PCR test performed through the Yale COVID-19 Testing Program (the Testing Program) when in New Haven and prior to starting or resuming in-person academic or research activities (including pre-orientation programs or trips.). This requirement applies to those students who have been in New Haven for the summer, as well as those moving to New Haven for the academic year. Students with a positive test within the previous 90 days will be exempt from the gateway PCR testing requirement.
  • External test results: Students should report positive results from PCR or RA tests performed outside the Testing Program to the university.

Graduate and Professional Students

In addition to the requirements listed above, the following apply to graduate and professional students.

Required Testing

  • Pre-arrival testing: All graduate and professional students traveling to campus are expected to have a pre-arrival COVID-19 test, preferably a rapid antigen test (RA test) on the day of travel. Alternatively, they may get a PCR test within 48 hours of travel. Any student who tests positive must report their result to the university and should not travel to campus until they have completed their required isolation. Students do not need to report negative test results.
  • Gateway/arrival testing: All graduate and professional students must also have a PCR test performed through the Yale COVID-19 Testing Program (the Testing Program) when in New Haven and prior to starting or resuming in-person academic or research activities (including pre-orientation programs or trips), unless otherwise notified by their school. This requirement applies to those students who have been in New Haven for the summer, as well as those moving to New Haven for the academic year. Students with a positive test within the previous 90 days will be exempt from the gateway PCR testing requirement.
    Routine asymptomatic testing: Routine, ongoing asymptomatic testing will not be required for most students. Certain schools, including Yale School of Music and the David Geffen School of Drama, will retain routine testing requirements to support their curricular activities. Those schools will contact their students directly to inform them of their requirements. Any required PCR testing must be performed through the Testing Program. Testing policies are subject to change based on prevailing public health conditions and guidance.