Health & Safety
Never before have the strength, collaboration, and engagement of the HBS community been so vital.
Supporting the health, safety, and well-being of everyone on campus will require individual effort and shared commitment. Fortunately, the HBS community knows how to work together to accomplish amazing results.
Stay Safe. Protect Others.
Physically Distance
Outdoors: Always
Wear a Facial Covering
Outdoors: Not required unless physical distancing of 6’ cannot be maintained.
Wash Your Hands
Stay Home if You Feel Sick
If you or a member of your household have COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and note your symptoms in Crimson Clear. A nurse practitioner will call you to discuss your symptoms. If you are assigned to an in-person seat in a hybrid course, you should attend class virtually instead. If you cannot attend class virtually due to your symptoms, please report your absence.
Student Organization Events, On-or-Off Campus
Indoors: 25 (without food and drink)
Informal Gatherings, On-or-Off Campus
Outdoors & Indoors: 10
Look for Signage
Everyone on the HBS campus must wear a mask and maintain physical distance at all times when indoors. When outdoors, masks are no longer required unless physical distancing cannot be maintained. However, masks are required on campus when at gatherings and events (formal or informal) and when preparing to enter Harvard buildings and shuttles.
In accordance with CDC guidelines, a suitable mask for use on the HBS campus must:
- Have a minimum of 2 layers of fabric
- Cover the wearer’s nose and mouth
- Contain ear loops, ties, or other mechanisms (e.g., pliable metal inserts) to ensure that the mask conforms to the contours of the wearer’s nose and cheeks
- Be free of valves and similar openings
- (If reusable) be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape
In the hybrid classroom, a surgical mask is recommended (supplies will be available in all hybrid classrooms). Be sure to wear it correctly, following the latest CDC guidance:
- Place the colored side of the mask (blue or green, waterproof) in front, away from your face, and the white portion (absorbent) inside, touching your face.
- Put the stiff, bendable thread on top, aligned to the bridge of your nose. Squeeze it there, molding your nose’s shape.
- Stretch the mask until below the chin area.
- Place the string loops around each ear.
Please note:
- The above requirements preclude the use of bandanas, scarves, gaiters, and dust masks as masks at HBS.
- Medical grade masks (e.g., N95 respirators) should not be used at HBS but rather reserved for use by health care workers.
- Masks may be removed indoors only when in designated dining areas or when alone in personal, private space (e.g., a closed individual office or residence hall room with a closed door). Masks must remain on in rooms that may be used by others (e.g., cubicles, restrooms, lactation rooms, project rooms, conference rooms, Aldrich alcoves).
- If using a reusable cloth mask, it must be laundered after each use. It is recommended that you have several masks available to you.
- HBS will have a supply of reusable cloth masks, limit of 3, available for pick up
during business hours at three campus locations:
- Student Support Services, Spangler Center 2nd Floor
- Guest Services, Chao Center 1st floor
- Fitness Service Desk, 1st floor Shad Hall
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. A limited supply of reusable cloth masks will be available at Student Support Services, Spangler 2nd floor, Guest Services, Chao Center 1st floor and at the Fitness Service Desk, Shad 1st floor.
HBS is pleased to offer these cloth starter masks, however you will need to source additional masks for ongoing use.
Masks must meet the HBS requirements detailed above in Face Coverings. In the hybrid classroom, HBS will provide and require surgical masks.
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Yes. Community members may use any face covering that conforms to the HBS mask requirements listed under Face Coverings.
Harvard University Health Services is supporting recurring weekly tests. We have partnered with Color and the Broad Institute to bring you self-administered, unobserved testing. To learn more about how their process works, take a virtual tour of the Broad Clinical Research Sequencing Platform for COVID-19 testing. Frequent COVID-19 testing provides us with a greater opportunity to detect infections early and thus reduce the potential spread of the virus. By testing individuals regardless of whether they have symptoms, we are able to capture trends in the prevalence of the disease in our community. Anyone—students, faculty, or staff—authorized to be on campus more than 4 hours per week should plan to incorporate testing into their campus access protocol. More on testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If you are eligible to test, but cannot participate in testing, please contact your manager (for staff), unit head (for faculty) or program staff (for MBA and doctoral) (mbaanddoctoral@hbs.edu; 1-617-495-6087) to discuss an exemption. Please note, if you cannot participate because you have previously tested positive, please contact HUHS directly at (617) 495-5711 or healthservices@huhs.harvard.edu.
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If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms, please review and follow HUHS’ guidance on whether you should self-isolate/quarantine and contact HUHS directly at (617) 495-5711 or healthservices@huhs.harvard.edu to set up a testing appointment. You should not submit an unobserved test.
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If your results are positive, HUHS will promptly contact you to discuss what it means to be positive and to explain next steps, including isolating and talking to a trained contact tracer.
Test results are Protected Health Information (PHI) and will be shared with as few people as possible in order to protect your privacy, while also providing support to you. Few people outside of the contact tracing process will be aware of your status. As a first step, HUHS will contact the Administrative Dean of the relevant school. If you are a student, a designated representative in Student and Academic Services will be notified that you are in quarantine or isolation and will reach out to you to help coordinate support that you need, including academic support. If you are a student in an HBS Residence Hall, a representative from HBS Housing/Dining Services will contact you to coordinate required support services including food and mail/package delivery. If you are a faculty member, a representative in the Dean’s Office will reach out to you to coordinate teaching and other responsibilities. If you are a staff member or contractor, a designee in HR or your company will be notified and will help you plan your work accommodations. Those involved in the notification process are HIPAA trained through Harvard University Health Services. For more information about privacy and reporting, see FAQs on testing positive.
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If you’ll be leaving campus, HUHS does not expect you to continue with asymptomatic testing. Should you choose to test, it will likely be at your own cost unless you’re able to locate free testing (which varies widely by state). Please keep in mind that testing alone is not sufficient to bend the trajectory of the current country-wide spike and limit the number of new infections. All the same preventative measures still apply and, in fact, are more important than ever as you return to your families and friends for the holiday.
-
Please re-test as soon as possible, being sure to activate the kit, blow your nose before collecting your sample (to ensure that there’s no solid debris on the swab), seal the tube cap carefully and fully, and ensure that the zip lock bag is properly sealed.
As of Monday, April 19, every adult in the United States is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. A high vaccination rate in Harvard’s community, particularly among students, is critical to the University’s plan for a return to full in-person learning, research and other activities in the fall.
We strongly encourage community members to seek vaccination at an approved vaccination location, including state sites, primary care physicians, and pharmacies. Individuals should plan to return to their original location for the second portion of the vaccine.
After you have been vaccinated, please submit a copy of your CDC card to mrecords@huhs.harvard.edu. Please note you should wait until after you receive your second shot (for those requiring two doses of the vaccine), and that once the information is sent, there will be no follow-up from HUHS. Providing this information helps HUHS understand the Harvard community’s remaining vaccine supply need and the overall level of vaccine-derived immunity present in the Harvard community, and will help determine policies on campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
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At this time, the vaccine is not required by Harvard University. However, we would strongly recommend that you receive the vaccine when it is available to you.
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All community members with a regular on-campus presence are expected to continue with their COVID-19 testing cadence at this time. Similarly, all community members are required to mask up on campus regardless of vaccine status.
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Fully vaccinated individuals will not be required to quarantine if they have been contact traced, but will likely need to produce their CDC vaccination card for the contact tracers as proof of vaccination.
Students
All students, except those who are fully vaccinated, arriving or returning from outside of Massachusetts must quarantine. Students who are fully vaccinated may access campus following a single negative PCR test.Our instructions are bit stricter than the current guidance from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as the Harvard campus, like other university campuses, is a “congregate setting”—a location in which many individuals from various geographies convene for sustained periods to work, learn, and live. As such, the campus is especially prone to outbreaks of COVID-19 soon after an influx of new or returning community members. Our goal is to reduce the chances of an outbreak of COVID-19 in our community.
Please review the quarantine policies for students living in on- and off-campus housing.
Important notes:
- If you are a close contact as a result of a potential exposure and you have previously tested positive and are within you 90 day window of testing positive, you typically will not need to quarantine. However, HUHS contract tracers make the final determination on who needs to quarantine.
- If you are a close contact and you have already received two doses of vaccine, you will not be required to quarantine but may need to show your CDC card to the contact tracer as proof of vaccination.
- If you have traveled out of state and have been fully vaccinated, you may return to campus activity following a single negative PCR test.
Faculty & Staff
Faculty and staff authorized to work on campus should follow the Harvard University Post-Travel COVID Testing and Quarantine Policy.
Travel
For All Community Members:
Until May 15, all Harvard international and domestic travel remains prohibited. From May 15 on, Harvard faculty, students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff who are fully vaccinated may undertake Harvard-related travel within the U.S., or to any country rated Level 1 or Level 2 for COVID-19 by the CDC. Harvard faculty, doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff who are NOT fully vaccinated or who wish to travel to a country rated Level 3, Level 4, or Level Unknown for COVID-19 regardless of their vaccination status, may petition for an exemption to Harvard’s travel restriction if they meet certain criteria.
Students
Overnight student travel policy: Six is the maximum number of HBS community members (students and partners) allowed to travel together overnight without violating Community Values.
Summer travel policy: Following exams, the six person travel limit will be suspended for the summer. Students must abide by all local regulations in the communities they visit. Those residing on or accessing campus must closely follow the HBS quarantine policy after travel; all others must follow the local quarantine guidelines of wherever they reside.
Quarantine policy reminder: All students who travel outside of Massachusetts (including on day trips) must follow HBS’s latest quarantine protocol upon return. Travel quarantine is required for all unvaccinated students, including those within 90 days of a positive result. Students who are fully vaccinated may return to campus activity following a single negative PCR test. Those not residing on or accessing campus over the summer must follow the local quarantine guidelines of wherever they reside.
Frequently Asked Questions
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To register domestic travel, students should now use the Domestic Travel Poll. Faculty and staff should continue to register both domestic and international travel in MyTrips.
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If you will be away from campus for 7+ days, email mbaanddoctoral@hbs.edu at least four days in advance with your travel plans (travel location, departure date, return date) so MBA can adjust your testing group.
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While certain types of transportation present less risk than others due to their reduced likelihood of exposure while in transit (ex. car vs. plane), traveling still presents risk through activities and interactions that occur outside of transit. For this reason, unvaccinated students returning from individual personal travel anywhere outside of Massachusetts must still quarantine upon their return to campus.
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Travel promotes the spread of COVID both during transit and simply by moving people from one location to another. As such, Harvard’s current travel and quarantine policies do not differentiate between countries with lower or higher rates of infection than the US.
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On January 29, the CDC released an order (effective February 1) requiring travelers to wear masks “while awaiting, boarding, traveling on, or disembarking all public conveyances” (e.g. airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, ride-shares) and “while entering or on the premises of” all transportation hubs (e.g. airports, bus or ferry terminals, train or subway stations, seaports, ports of entry) within the United States.
Transportation
Parking Lot Access
Harvard is offering free parking to Harvard ID card holders through August 15, 2020. Parking, including the HBS lots, is managed by Harvard University. For updated information on annual and day passes please visit the Harvard Transportation site.
Zipcar
Zipcars and Zipcar parking are available in the HBS parking lot.
Ride Sharing: Uber, Lyft, Taxis
HBS has designated pick up and drop off spots for ride sharing on campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Parking access and pricing is set by Harvard’s Office of Transportation. Parking is free to ID card holders through August 15, 2020.
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The Harvard Office of Transportation outlines a number of alternative options for commuters to and from campus. For staff, if public transportation is your only option and not viable for you, you can discuss the possibility of continued remote work with your manager.
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The School will not pay for these expenses. Staff and students can apply to the HBS Biddle Fund for COVID-19 Relief (login required), which offers financial awards to those experiencing hardship as a result of the pandemic.
Dependent Care
Faculty & Staff
MBA & Doctoral Students
- Campus Child Care
- Starting/Growing a Family at HBS (login required)
Frequently Asked Questions
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We understand that information about day cares and schools will evolve in the coming months, and that it will vary by school district.
For students: Students are asked to stay in touch with Joyce Majewski (MBA) or Jen Mucciarone (Doctoral) to discuss options.
For faculty and staff: Harvard offers a variety of resources for faculty and staff. To expedite services, please register for support on the Care@Work page, even if you are not certain you will need it.
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Students’ children are welcome on campus. Upon arrival into MA, children (like partners) need to follow current state of MA guidance on quarantine. Children under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. At on-campus events, infants/children who are not in a parent’s arms or in a stroller count as participants. Children ages 2+ must wear a mask (indoors always, outdoors when not maintaining 6’ of distance).
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Learn more about Harvard affiliated centers.
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Childcare Scholarships: Faculty, staff, and doctoral students are eligible for childcare scholarships. For more information and application forms please visit the Harvard Financial Assistance for Child Care site.
HBS Biddle Fund for COVID-19 Relief: The Biddle Fund (login required) offers financial awards to HBS staff and students experiencing hardship as a result of the pandemic.
Hygiene
Physical Distancing
-
Yes. A limited supply of reusable cloth masks will be available at Student Support Services, Spangler 2nd floor, Guest Services, Chao Center 1st floor and at the Fitness Service Desk, Shad 1st floor.
HBS is pleased to offer these cloth starter masks, however you will need to source additional masks for ongoing use.
Masks must meet the HBS requirements detailed above in Face Coverings. In the hybrid classroom, HBS will provide and require surgical masks.
-
Yes. Community members may use any face covering that conforms to the HBS mask requirements listed under Face Coverings.
-
A range of options may be considered, depending on your specific situation, to support your health, safety, and well-being. MBA students should contact Student and Academic Services. Doctoral students should contact the Doctoral Programs Office. Staff should contact their manager or department head. Faculty should contact their Unit Head or program chair.
-
A range of options may be considered, depending on your specific situation. MBA students should contact Student and Academic Services. Doctoral students should contact the Doctoral Programs Office. Staff should contact their manager or department head. Faculty should contact their Unit Head or program chair.
-
To register domestic travel, students should now use the Domestic Travel Poll. Faculty and staff should continue to register both domestic and international travel in MyTrips.
-
If you will be away from campus for 7+ days, email mbaanddoctoral@hbs.edu at least four days in advance with your travel plans (travel location, departure date, return date) so MBA can adjust your testing group.
-
While certain types of transportation present less risk than others due to their reduced likelihood of exposure while in transit (ex. car vs. plane), traveling still presents risk through activities and interactions that occur outside of transit. For this reason, unvaccinated students returning from individual personal travel anywhere outside of Massachusetts must still quarantine upon their return to campus.
-
Travel promotes the spread of COVID both during transit and simply by moving people from one location to another. As such, Harvard’s current travel and quarantine policies do not differentiate between countries with lower or higher rates of infection than the US.
-
On January 29, the CDC released an order (effective February 1) requiring travelers to wear masks “while awaiting, boarding, traveling on, or disembarking all public conveyances” (e.g. airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, ride-shares) and “while entering or on the premises of” all transportation hubs (e.g. airports, bus or ferry terminals, train or subway stations, seaports, ports of entry) within the United States.
-
Parking access and pricing is set by Harvard’s Office of Transportation. Parking is free to ID card holders through August 15, 2020.
-
The Harvard Office of Transportation outlines a number of alternative options for commuters to and from campus. For staff, if public transportation is your only option and not viable for you, you can discuss the possibility of continued remote work with your manager.
-
The School will not pay for these expenses. Staff and students can apply to the HBS Biddle Fund for COVID-19 Relief (login required), which offers financial awards to those experiencing hardship as a result of the pandemic.
-
We understand that information about day cares and schools will evolve in the coming months, and that it will vary by school district.
For students: Students are asked to stay in touch with Joyce Majewski (MBA) or Jen Mucciarone (Doctoral) to discuss options.
For faculty and staff: Harvard offers a variety of resources for faculty and staff. To expedite services, please register for support on the Care@Work page, even if you are not certain you will need it.
-
Students’ children are welcome on campus. Upon arrival into MA, children (like partners) need to follow current state of MA guidance on quarantine. Children under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. At on-campus events, infants/children who are not in a parent’s arms or in a stroller count as participants. Children ages 2+ must wear a mask (indoors always, outdoors when not maintaining 6’ of distance).
-
Learn more about Harvard affiliated centers.
-
Childcare Scholarships: Faculty, staff, and doctoral students are eligible for childcare scholarships. For more information and application forms please visit the Harvard Financial Assistance for Child Care site.
HBS Biddle Fund for COVID-19 Relief: The Biddle Fund (login required) offers financial awards to HBS staff and students experiencing hardship as a result of the pandemic.
-
If you are eligible to test, but cannot participate in testing, please contact your manager (for staff), unit head (for faculty) or program staff (for MBA and doctoral) (mbaanddoctoral@hbs.edu; 1-617-495-6087) to discuss an exemption. Please note, if you cannot participate because you have previously tested positive, please contact HUHS directly at (617) 495-5711 or healthservices@huhs.harvard.edu.
-
If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms, please review and follow HUHS’ guidance on whether you should self-isolate/quarantine and contact HUHS directly at (617) 495-5711 or healthservices@huhs.harvard.edu to set up a testing appointment. You should not submit an unobserved test.
-
If your results are positive, HUHS will promptly contact you to discuss what it means to be positive and to explain next steps, including isolating and talking to a trained contact tracer.
Test results are Protected Health Information (PHI) and will be shared with as few people as possible in order to protect your privacy, while also providing support to you. Few people outside of the contact tracing process will be aware of your status. As a first step, HUHS will contact the Administrative Dean of the relevant school. If you are a student, a designated representative in Student and Academic Services will be notified that you are in quarantine or isolation and will reach out to you to help coordinate support that you need, including academic support. If you are a student in an HBS Residence Hall, a representative from HBS Housing/Dining Services will contact you to coordinate required support services including food and mail/package delivery. If you are a faculty member, a representative in the Dean’s Office will reach out to you to coordinate teaching and other responsibilities. If you are a staff member or contractor, a designee in HR or your company will be notified and will help you plan your work accommodations. Those involved in the notification process are HIPAA trained through Harvard University Health Services. For more information about privacy and reporting, see FAQs on testing positive.
-
If you’ll be leaving campus, HUHS does not expect you to continue with asymptomatic testing. Should you choose to test, it will likely be at your own cost unless you’re able to locate free testing (which varies widely by state). Please keep in mind that testing alone is not sufficient to bend the trajectory of the current country-wide spike and limit the number of new infections. All the same preventative measures still apply and, in fact, are more important than ever as you return to your families and friends for the holiday.
-
Please re-test as soon as possible, being sure to activate the kit, blow your nose before collecting your sample (to ensure that there’s no solid debris on the swab), seal the tube cap carefully and fully, and ensure that the zip lock bag is properly sealed.
-
Yes. A limited supply of reusable cloth masks will be available at Student Support Services, Spangler 2nd floor, Guest Services, Chao Center 1st floor and at the Fitness Service Desk, Shad 1st floor.
HBS is pleased to offer these cloth starter masks, however you will need to source additional masks for ongoing use.
Masks must meet the HBS requirements detailed above in Face Coverings. In the hybrid classroom, HBS will provide and require surgical masks.
-
Yes. Community members may use any face covering that conforms to the HBS mask requirements listed under Face Coverings.