Visitors Policy

Updated September 26, 2022

To protect the health and safety of faculty, staff, and students, the university has established this policy for visitors to the Yale campus.

All visitors to campus must be invited by a university host.
All visitors must be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
All visitors must carry vaccination and booster documentation and be prepared to provide it if asked.
All visitors must follow university mask guidance and all other university health and safety guidelines.
Events, gatherings, and meetings that include visitors must comply with the events, gatherings, and meetings policy.

Limited exceptions are noted in the Exceptions to Visitor Requirements section below.

Who Are Visitors?

A visitor is any individual who is coming to campus that is not a Yale student, employee, or trainee.

Which Visitors Must Complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation?

Visitors who are:

staying in congregate residential housing for any length of time
on campus 4 days or more within a given calendar month, or
hosted by an individual, unit or school that requires attestation

must complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation for Visitors.

Who is the Host?

The Yale faculty, staff, post-doctoral trainee, graduate/professional or undergraduate student who is responsible for overseeing the visit and assuring the visitor follows Yale’s requirements during the visit is considered the host. A department, school, or organization may designate the Lead Administrator, the Health and Safety Leader or other managerial employee as the university host to assure compliance with these visitor requirements.

Host and Visitor Responsibilities

Host Responsibilities

Ensure the visitor is aware of the vaccination requirement, whether the visitor is required to attest to their vaccination status, and their visitor responsibilities.
Instruct visitors to complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation for Visitors form if required.
Report any concerns or issues to the Health and Safety Leader.
Report any visitors who test positive for COVID-19 to the Campus COVID Resource Line.

Note: Hosts are strongly encouraged to review the visitor’s vaccination and booster documentation upon arrival.

Visitor Responsibilities

Coordinate visits with the host.
Carry proof of vaccination and booster documentation and provide it if asked.
Complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation for Visitors form in advance of their visit if required.
Comply with CDC travel requirements as well as any additional university travel requirements.
Follow university health and safety guidelines, including masking requirements, while on campus.
Self-monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms and do not come to campus if experiencing symptoms.
Notify the host if they become ill or test positive for COVID-19 while on campus or within 72 hours following the visit.
Participate in contact tracing if requested.

While PCR testing for visitors is generally not available through Yale’s testing program, they may be tested through New Haven area testing services or Yale New Haven Hospital test sites. Alternatively, rapid antigen tests are readily available from a number of sources including pharmacies.

Exceptions to the Visitor Requirements

While adherence to masking and other health and safety guidelines is still required of all individuals on campus, the following are the specific requirements for certain visitors.

Audiences and Spectators: Individuals attending performances and competitions are subject to the approved health and safety plans for the host units.
Yale Health Center: Open to all members and their enrolled family members.
Residential Colleges: Spouses and family members living in residential colleges are not considered visitors. Students living in residential colleges are not permitted to host visitors.
Departments with Customized Visitor Policies and Processes: Some departments have specific visitor health and safety plans, such as those working with vendors on capital projects. Departments may submit a request to the COVID Review Team for an alternative process for confirmation of vaccination status based on the department’s specific, critical needs.
Yale Golf Course: View more information on golf course use.
Yale University Art Gallery: View specific information on the Gallery site.
Yale Center for British Art: View specific information on the Center site.
Yale Library: View specific information on the Library site.
Yale Visitor Center: View specific information on the Visitor Center site.