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, following proper hygiene, and reporting any symptoms.
Masking is now optional for all individuals in all campus, classroom, and work-related settings.
As of May 25, 2023, the university will no longer offer symptomatic testing.
Students, staff, faculty, and trainees are strongly encouraged to test themselves when they are symptomatic or concerned about exposure to COVID-19. All affiliates are required to stay at home while they are sick or experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
School of Medicine affiliates follow Johns Hopkins Medicine’s testing policies.
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?
Students, staff, faculty, and trainees are strongly encouraged to test themselves when they are symptomatic or concerned about exposure to COVID-19. All affiliates are required to stay at home while they are sick or experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, unless otherwise directed by the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Call Center (JHCCC). Affiliates can call the JHCCC at 443-287-8500.
Employees should contact their medical provider for symptomatic testing.
Last updated: May 23, 2023 2:58pm
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
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
