Personal Safety Practices
Read protocols and recommendations related to face coverings, physical distancing, handwashing, and more
Health + Safety
Your health and the health of our community is our primary concern. Our collective safety requires everyone to consistently follow best practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19—including getting vaccinated and boosted, following proper hygiene, and reporting any symptoms.
Masking is now optional for all individuals in all campus, classroom, and work-related settings. Individuals may choose to continue masking themselves based on their individual circumstances, and we will continue to provide free, high-quality masks for all affiliates. Masking is highly effective at preventing the spread of COVID, and we may reinstate the mandate for certain groups or in certain circumstances if necessary.
Johns Hopkins students, faculty, and staff who feel ill should call the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Call Center at 443-287-8500, seven days a week, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. You can also self-schedule a symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID test through your Hopkins MyChart.
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. See the university’s guidance on Quarantine and Isolation Procedures for more information.
Asymptomatic Testing
The following testing rules apply:
- Routine asymptomatic testing is no longer required for any population, including those with exceptions to the university’s vaccine mandate. We may reinstate testing requirements for particular groups if necessary to address outbreaks during the semester.
- Voluntary PCR-based saliva testing will continue through the fall semester at several locations, and free rapid test kits will continue to be available to all affiliates.
- Undergraduate residential students should self-test no more than 72 hours before arriving on campus/in Baltimore. While we are not asking for verification, students who test positive should notify Student Health using this form and remain off campus and isolate for a minimum of five days. They will be advised to test again after five days and should not return until they have a negative test and are asymptomatic or have resolving symptoms and are cleared by Student Health staff.
- School of Medicine affiliates follow Johns Hopkins Medicine’s testing policies.
If You Test Positive
- If you test positive at a Johns Hopkins test site, someone will reach out to you to detail next steps
- Students who test positive at home should complete this form and wait to be contacted by a nurse from the Student Health and Wellness Center
- Employees who test positive at home should either call the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Call Center at 443-287-8500 or complete this form; a nurse will call you to detail next steps
Compliance with Safety Guidance
All members of the university community are expected to fully comply with the policies, protocols, and guidelines outlined on this website and communicated via email. Noncompliance with COVID-19 campus health and safety guidelines could result in loss of access to university facilities as well as corrective and/or disciplinary action.
If you have a concern or complaint regarding noncompliance of JHU COVID-19 safety measures by a member of the Hopkins community, please make a confidential report immediately via the online form or by calling 844-SPEAK2US (844-773-2528).
For live, immediate response, also consider using the LiveSafe app to report concerns directly to Campus Safety & Security (with options for anonymous reporting).
Frequently Asked Questions
I feel ill or am concerned about COVID-19 exposure. What should I do?
Johns Hopkins faculty and staff who feel ill should call the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Call Center at 443-287-8500, seven days a week, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Alternately, you can self-schedule a symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID test through your Hopkins MyChart.
Students should call 410-516-5709 seven days a week between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., or email SHWCintake@jhu.edu.
When you call, representatives will discuss next steps, arrange for testing if needed, and assist in transmitting information to Occupational Health or Student Affairs. The JHCCC will also manage the process to identify and assist people who may have had contact with someone who tests positive.
The JHCCC is staffed by Johns Hopkins nurses, physicians, and specially trained nursing and medical students, but you are always free to call your personal primary care provider, and should continue to do so for family members who have symptoms.
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: Aug 1, 2022 3:03pm
Can you receive the flu vaccine and the COVID vaccine on the same day?
Yes.
Last updated: June 22, 2021 12:16pm
Can you receive vaccines other than the flu vaccine on the same day as the COVID vaccine?
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
How long after a natural COVID infection should you wait before getting the vaccine?
In most cases, you should wait until you are out of isolation (all COVID symptoms have resolved) to get the vaccine. 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: March 9, 2022 5:07pm
Where can I get more information about COVID vaccine safety and effectiveness?
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
How does the university learn if an employee or student working in a lab tests positive for COVID-19?
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
How do I get cleared to go back to work or class after I recover from COVID-19?
JHU affiliates who test positive through the JHU testing process will be contacted by phone or email by the JHCCC or the Student Health Center. If you are an employee and tested at home, call the JHCCC at 833-546-7546 to be sure the university knows that you are off-duty due to COVID. If you are a student and tested at home, complete the Student Health and Wellness form to be sure the university knows that you have tested positive and will not be required to test for 90 days.
You are required to isolate for five days from the date of your positive test; the date of your positive test is considered Day 1. Your supervisor or school student affairs staff will be contacted to note that you are off-duty/away from class. During this time, you are not permitted to be on campus and should coordinate with your supervisor/instructors to determine if you should take sick leave or can continue some activities remotely. You will be automatically notified when you are cleared, and may return to campus on the sixth day if you are free of symptoms; a negative test is not required to return to campus.
Last updated: April 18, 2022 10:05am
What has been done about air ventilation in buildings in light of the danger of airborne transmission?
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: May 11, 2022 11:25am
Diagnostic Testing
Where should I go for testing? Can I go to an off-campus pharmacy or do an at-home test?
For testing required by the university, you must come to one of several campus testing locations across JHU. All specimen analyses will be conducted by a laboratory that is located within the Johns Hopkins Hospital, and all results will be posted to MyChart. Off-campus tests at local pharmacies and at-home tests are not accepted.
JHU testing sites are also available at any time to all affiliates for elective, optional testing, but affiliates are also free to have elective testing done at locations not affiliated with the university.
Last updated: March 9, 2022 5:12pm
How do I make a testing appointment?
Appointments can be made through MyChart (also available as a mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play). You must have an active MyChart account to participate in the testing and vaccination programs at JHU. If you are having issues activating your MyChart, call 888-676-3433 or email Testinginfo@jhu.edu.
Also see: Testing locations and schedules
Last updated: April 6, 2022 5:03pm
Where is testing available and what are the hours of operation?
The university has established several campus locations across JHU for mandatory or voluntary testing. Detailed testing site information and hours of operation can be found on the Testing Locations + Schedules page on this website.
Last updated: Aug 9, 2021 4:00pm
