Health + Safety

All Johns Hopkins affiliates (students, trainees, staff, and faculty) are strongly encouraged to use Johns Hopkins resources when symptomatic or concerned about exposure. Anyone who feels ill or is concerned about exposure is encouraged to call the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Call Center at 833-546-7546, seven days a week, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The call center is staffed by Johns Hopkins nurses and physicians and specially trained nursing and medical students. When you call, a representative will instruct you about next steps depending on your circumstances. They will arrange for testing if needed, assist in transmitting information to Occupational Health, and conduct contact notification. Further, the caller will be given instructions regarding quarantine before a test can be secured. The criteria for testing are updated on a regular basis, and the most current criteria will be used when there is an assessment over the phone.

As has always been the case, individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for infection with SARS-CoV-2 should self-isolate at home except to get medical care until it’s safe to be around others.

Last updated: Dec 16, 2020 3:38pm

Yes.

Last updated: June 22, 2021 12:16pm

No vaccines other than the flu vaccine should be given during the time period of two weeks prior to the first COVID vaccine through two weeks following the final COVID vaccine.

Last updated: June 4, 2021 11:15am

In most cases, you should wait until you are out of isolation (all COVID symptoms have resolved) to get the vaccine, but no longer than 90 days. If you were treated with monoclonal antibodies and/or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting the vaccine. Affiliates may request a medical exception to wait to get the vaccine until the 90 days has elapsed.

Last updated: June 22, 2021 12:16pm

We have a tremendous amount of information and support available for those who have questions about the vaccine or want to learn more. JHM has compiled a set of resources on Covid vaccine effectiveness and safety and what to expect when getting vaccinated. JHU’s Coronavirus Resource Center has extensive information about how the vaccines were developed and tested, as well as data on their distribution in the U.S. and internationally. 

Last updated: June 22, 2021 12:17pm

Yes. Vaccinated and unvaccinated students can room together, and roommate decisions will not be influenced by vaccination status.

Last updated: May 19, 2021 4:11pm

Divisional business officers, HR managers, IT managers, and others have worked to ensure that facilities will be open and ready for staff and faculty to return, and will be communicating plans to unit leaders. If you have specific questions, please contact your supervisor or HR manager.

Last updated: June 22, 2021 12:21pm

Spaces for eating will be available both in undistanced format (for those who are vaccinated) and distanced format (open to all and required for those who are unvaccinated).

Last updated: June 22, 2021 12:21pm

Yes. All students, employees, and contractors who are on-campus must complete a daily health check using Prodensity. If you are 100% remote or online, you should change your status to indicate you will not be coming on campus using Prodensity. For more information, read a Prodensity tutorial on how to ensure your status is up-to-date.

Last updated: July 5, 2021 6:59am

All students, faculty, and staff who are participating in on-campus activities should monitor themselves daily for any symptoms. Anyone who has symptoms associated with COVID-19 or who has concerns about exposure to COVID-19 is strongly encouraged to call the Johns Hopkins COVID Call Center, or JHCCC, at 833-546-7546 to be triaged to determine if they meet the criteria for testing. In the case of employees, their supervisor will be informed that the employee is “off-duty” until cleared. In the case of students, their school’s Student Affairs representative will be notified that the student is “off-duty.” The student’s name will be shared with the student’s consent.

The JHCCC will inform you of your test result if you are tested at a Johns Hopkins facility. If your test is negative, your supervisor or Student Affairs Representative will receive a message that you have been cleared. If you test positive, you will remain “off-duty” and there will be no additional communication to your supervisor or Student Affairs representative until you are cleared. You are encouraged but not required to share the information with your supervisor or Student Affairs representative.

Last updated: Dec 3, 2020 12:00am

Current CDC guidelines allow for anyone who is not severely immunocompromised to return to work if they meet the following criteria:

1. At least 10 days have passed since symptom onset or asymptomatic testing
2. At least 24 hours have passed since last fever without using fever-reducing medications
3. Symptoms have improved.

Employees who believe they have met this criteria should call the Occupational Health Services at the Johns Hopkins COVID Call Center (410-614-6000) for an evaluation and clearance to return to work. Individuals who were first notified of the employee’s “off-duty” status will be informed by OHS that they are cleared to “return to duty.”

Students who need clearance to return to class should be instructed to do the following:

• Students from the schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing should contact University Health Services at 410-955-3250 for an evaluation and clearance to return to class. Individuals who were first notified of the student’s “off-duty” status will be informed by UHS that they are cleared to “return to class.”
• Students of any other JHU school should contact the Student Health and Wellness Center at 410-516-8270 for an evaluation and clearance to return to class. Individuals who were first notified of the student’s “off-duty” status will be informed by SHWC that they are cleared to “return to class.”

Last updated: July 23, 2020 9:10pm

Our testing policies are informed by the most successful practices that have emerged from our peer institutions and from emerging data about the pandemic.  

Undergraduates, because they typically live in congregate settings, tend to be at higher risk of contracting COVID, and of spreading it to a larger number of people, making early detection of asymptomatic cases particularly important in this group. As such, testing is an additional measure of protection for our community. 

Last updated: June 22, 2021 2:25pm

Physical distancing requirements have been lifted indoors and outdoors, including in elevators and bathrooms. Capacity restrictions have also been lifted on buses and shuttle vans.

Physical distancing is required for unvaccinated affiliates when eating indoors (in addition to the masking and testing requirements outlined on this website). Spaces for eating will be available both in distanced and undistanced formats.

Last updated: July 20, 2021 10:05am

Following CDC and ASHRAE guidance, JH Facilities assessed and improved building ventilation where possible—the number of air exchanges per hour, filtration,  and amount of fresh air intake. Facilities is also performing preventative maintenance checks to ensure filters have been changed and that systems are working properly.  

Last updated: June 25, 2021 12:45pm