Information for Undergraduate Students

Johns Hopkins University is currently in the process of expanding on-campus activities for the spring semester, including offering undergraduates in-person residential and educational opportunities.  Graduate and professional schools have determined their own plans for the spring. This is part of a careful, phased approach to resuming activities, and each step in reopening is in accordance with state and local regulations and our own assessment of the public health status and operational readiness of our community.

We have learned a great deal in the last few months about how to maintain health and safety in a campus environment during the COVID pandemic—we still have not detected transmission within our research labs, even as we have increased the level of activity within them over the course of the fall—and we plan to move to Phase 2 of our reopening plan on Feb. 1.

During our current Phase 1, on-campus activities will be restricted to mission critical functions that cannot be performed remotely. Broadly, this means that most Johns Hopkins affiliates will not be on-campus on a full-time basis and services will continue to be offered virtually. All undergraduate and most graduate students will take their courses online or remotely.

Those who need to be present in their lab, office, or other campus location to conduct research activities can proceed after permission from a researcher’s divisional leadership. Individuals engaging in on-campus research must comply with the guidance in Research Guidelines to reduce density, maintain physical distance, and observe other health and safety measures. Most instruction will remain in an online/remote modality, and the standards and expectations for teaching will be determined by each school individually. For example, schools may ask faculty and TAs to use campus studios for remote instructional purposes—these will be sanitized and set up with measures to protect users as described in the Instructional Guidelines.

Libraries will be operational, but access will be limited. Most other campus facilities, including recreational centers, will remain closed for the fall semester.

Last updated: Jan 22, 2021 12:21pm

Tuition for the spring semester will be at the originally published rate. As indicated in August, the 10% tuition reduction for the fall was a one-time occurrence included in a package of supports in recognition of the hardships associated with our change of plans for the semester.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 4:57pm

For the fall 2020 semester, several cross-divisional workgroups studied the issues, gathered feedback, and drafted plans to guide a Phase 1 resumption of activities. A similar process is underway as the university moves toward a Phase 2 return for spring 2021.

Plans are reviewed by advisory groups of students, faculty, or health experts as needed and then presented to the university community for feedback before they were finalized. The latest information can be found in the Return to Campus Guidance.

Any decisions to allow on-campus activity will be consistent with both state and local restrictions and our own public health experts’ assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic. While our phased approach seeks to align with the state of Maryland’s approach, the alignment is not automatic, and there may be many times when the university cannot—for public health, safety, and/or operational reasons—be in the same phase as the state, just as not all counties in the state may be in the same phase at the same time. If public health conditions worsen, either locally or regionally, a return to earlier phases may be required.

All plans will follow core principles, chief among them a commitment to equity and inclusivity and the primacy of science and public health guidance offered by the world’s leading public health experts here at Johns Hopkins.

Last updated: Dec 16, 2020 2:41pm

No single public health metric will be determinative. Rather, our public health and infectious disease experts will advise the university based on a combination of factors and trends. We routinely review a comprehensive set of data, at the city, state, national, and global levels. We look at a number of metrics, including daily new cases, hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and mortality, as well as a set of Hopkins-specific capacity metrics that include testing, tracing, isolation and quarantine. In addition to our ongoing review of metrics, our public health experts are also conducting modeling in an attempt to forecast the trajectory of the disease in populations of relevance to us.

We are watching with concern the continued high level of COVID cases locally and nationally and anticipate further increases related to holiday travel and gatherings. Within our own community, we are seeing a significant rise in cases as well, among students, faculty, and staff. Even amid these troubling developments, we are continuing to prepare for the increase in on-campus activity for the spring semester that we announced in November. We have learned a great deal in the last few months about how to maintain health and safety in a campus environment during the COVID pandemic—we still have not detected transmission within our research labs, even as we have increased the level of activity within them over the course of the fall—and we remain cautiously optimistic that we can resume more in-person activity in late January.

Last updated: Dec 14, 2020 2:10pm

Individuals who are on-campus need to be aware of the following requirements that are detailed in this guidance:

• Daily health check using Prodensity
• Use of appropriate face coverings and adherence to other health/safety guidance, including physical distancing
• No smoking or vaping
• Mandatory influenza vaccination (by Nov. 20)
• For the limited number of residential students, COVID-19 testing will be conducted upon arrival and on an ongoing basis throughout the semester

In addition, individuals engaging in on-campus research must comply with Research Guidelines and individuals engaging in on-campus instruction must comply with Instructional Guidelines.

Last updated: Oct 29, 2020 11:54am

No external (commercial, community, etc.) events will be held during Phase 2. Internal (JH affiliate attendees) events will be limited as follows:

• All events deemed mission critical during Phase 2 shall be reviewed by HSE and require permission from the appropriate dean’s office or University Administration department. These activities may include events that cannot be effectively conducted virtually and are directly related to research, education, and student activities.
• JHU guidance will not exceed local regulatory public health rules in restricting group sizes and participants are expected to wear face coverings and maintain 6 feet physical distancing.
• Event capacity is the number of people who can fit in the room while maintaining 6 feet between them with a maximum of 10 people.
• Outdoor event capacity will be based on state and local guidelines, venue capacity, and physical distancing requirements and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Last updated: Dec 18, 2020 10:41am

Generally, visitors to the JHU campus—including guests, family members, and pets—are prohibited. Visitors associated with K-12 partnerships, including participants, are also prohibited in Phase 2.

Prospective students and research volunteers will likely be permitted on campus under controlled conditions and for specific types of protocols.

Last updated: Dec 18, 2020 10:42am

The Ralph S. O’Connor Recreation Center on the Homewood campus and the Cooley Center at East Baltimore will operate with limited capacity and offerings.

At Homewood, strength and cardio equipment will be available with a maximum facility capacity of 60 patrons. Patrons must agree to and abide by Rec Center protocols regarding physical distancing, face coverings, and cleaning. Group exercise classes will be offered virtually.

In-person classes, with a maximum capacity of 10 per class, will be offered pending the availability of instructors. All group exercise participants must register and use their own mats. Tennis courts will also reopen. The Rec Center will employ an enhanced cleaning and equipment sanitization schedule. The locker rooms will remain closed. There will be no equipment checkout and no towels provided. Athletic field use will be activity-dependent and requests for use evaluated by staff.

Similar capacity limitations will be published for the Cooley Center.

More information on protocols and programming can be found in this Jan. 29 message to students.

Last updated: Feb 1, 2021 9:17am

All reopening plans and health and safety guidelines established by the university apply to people taking part in activities in all of its owned or leased locations.

Last updated: Dec 16, 2020 3:36pm

Non-essential travel outside of the greater Baltimore area is strongly discouraged for undergraduates at any time. Undergraduate students are required to register personal travel with Prodensity so they can receive support for prompt testing and self-quarantine upon return and until a negative test is received.

All non-essential university-sponsored travel (both international and domestic) is suspended at this time. University-sponsored travel includes all travel funded by the university or its sponsors, including discretionary funds, and all travel sponsored or organized by student organizations, regardless of the funding source. Essential travel may include time-critical research, clinical care delivery, and/or clinical trials, as determined by an affiliate’s dean or designee.

Personal travel should be undertaken with an understanding of the risks. Before making personal travel plans, review the CDC’s travel guidance.

Last updated: Feb 24, 2021 11:27am

The university is guided by the types of activity allowed by both the state and the city along with its own evaluation of public health and medical advice from Johns Hopkins experts. Regardless of the numbered phases, the university will not allow more activities than the city and state, and at times, it may allow less. Specific instructions for university affiliates are provided by email, on the Hub, and through school- and department-specific communications.

Last updated: June 22, 2020 4:06pm

We are setting aside a substantial number of quarantine and isolation accommodations for residential students as well as isolation accommodations for any undergraduates living off-campus who are deemed in need by our health and wellness team. Students who receive a negative test after being informed that they have been exposed to COVID-19 will still have to quarantine for 14 days, since it is possible to get a false positive from a test.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 4:46pm

We have set aside what we believe, based on peers’ experience, will be a sufficient number of rooms for quarantine and isolation on campus and in nearby hotels. However, if public health conditions deteriorate to the point that we cannot continue to safely conduct on-campus activities, we will revert to an all-remote posture.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 4:54pm

Student organizations have found creative ways to keep going, build community, and welcome the newest and returning Blue Jays into the fold during the fall. They will have some additional opportunities for in-person meetings in the spring while observing campus guidelines about the size of gatherings and safety measures. They will also be encouraged to continue to offer remote options for students who do not chose to return.

We expect more information about spring sports in December.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 4:48pm

We will require comprehensive COVID safety measures on campus, including face coverings, physical distancing, limits on gatherings, enhanced cleaning protocols and self-monitoring for symptoms. We will continue to update these restrictions as state and local regulations and our own assessment of the public health situation evolve.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 4:47pm

Because of the COVID risks related to travel, we have replaced the 2021 spring break with a series of individual days off throughout the second half of the semester.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 4:52pm

Non-essential travel outside of the greater Baltimore area is strongly discouraged for undergraduates at any time.

The Prodensity app will allow affiliates to designate dates for travel and/or approved leave. Affiliates will be exempt from mandatory testing during the designated period. All undergraduate students are required to register their travel plans in Prodensity.

All affiliates are required to quarantine until one negative test result is received after returning from travel and/or leave from campus.

Last updated: Jan 13, 2021 6:11am

Mental health and well-being programs will be offered remotely, including free access to Mental Telehealth, powered by TimelyMD, for all students and learners. There will be limited access to in-office services for students located in Baltimore who have essential needs. A full list of resources is available at https://wellness.jhu.edu/covid/.

Last updated: Aug 6, 2020 4:01pm

We plan to open the rec center, Brody Learning Commons and Milton S. Eisenhower Library with limits on density and reduced hours.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 4:51pm

Students should contact the IT Helpdesk at 410-516-HELP or via online request for questions related to JHED IDs, wireless network connectivity, and email access.

Last updated: Aug 6, 2020 4:04pm

Yes, academic discounts are available on both Dell and Apple computers. More information is on the Information Technology Services webpage.  Students may also request financial aid to help with computer and/or technology purchases by submitting the Budget Adjustment Request form in SIS.

Last updated: Aug 6, 2020 4:05pm

At this time, it is anticipated that undergraduate employment opportunities will remain remote.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 4:51pm

Both the Wellfleet and EHP plans for undergraduate and graduate students have no cost for doctor visits to diagnose COVID-19 or for testing. Coverage for COVID-19 treatment-related services includes the same coinsurance and copays as are charged for any other illness. Students should check their plan details.

Last updated: Aug 6, 2020 4:08pm

Wellfleet continues medical coverage through the period that has been paid and offers an option to purchase additional coverage after that. EHP benefits continue for the entire period of the leave.

Last updated: Aug 6, 2020 4:08pm

Tuition for the spring semester will be at the originally published rate. As indicated in August, the 10% tuition reduction for the fall was a one-time occurrence included in a package of supports in recognition of the hardships associated with our change of plans for the semester.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 4:57pm

We understand that the COVID pandemic is creating unexpected financial burdens for many families. The university is prepared to help meet these burdens with commitments to significantly increase financial aid. We encourage any students whose circumstances have changed to contact the financial aid office. Students may request help at any time. Answers to financial aid questions related to COVID-19 can be found on the Financial Aid website.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 4:57pm

Financial support is available to help students who need additional assistance as a result of the pandemic, or for any other reason. Call, e-mail, or request a virtual appointment with the Office of Student Financial Services between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Last updated: Aug 6, 2020 4:11pm

The first distribution of the CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants will be available to students who are eligible for federal financial aid and meet the following criteria:

Undergraduate Students

• Federal 9-month EFC at or below 21,860 based on the 19-20 FAFSA
• Received need-based institutional aid in spring 2020
• Priority given to students enrolled in at least one face-to-face instructional course in spring 2020 (as of February 20, 2020); students enrolled in hybrid programs may also receive funds
• Priority given to students who did not graduate in May 2020

Graduate Students

• Federal 9-month EFC at or below 21,860 based on the 19-20 FAFSA
• Received federal student loans in spring 2020
• Priority given to students enrolled in at least one face-to-face instructional course in spring 2020 (as of February 20, 2020); students enrolled in hybrid programs may also receive funds
• Priority given to students who did not graduate in May 2020

Last updated: July 17, 2020 12:00am

The CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants are intended to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus. The grant will be sent directly to you according to the refund method you selected. On receipt of your refund, you may then use the funds to help pay your education expenses.

Last updated: July 17, 2020 12:00am

Students do not have to submit an application. However, they must have a valid 2019-2020 FAFSA on file with the school and meet the eligibility criteria described above. Financial Aid will notify eligible students directly by email beginning on July 16, 2020. Students will have to electronically certify that they have incurred allowable expenses (E.g. housing, food, transportation, course material, technology, and health expenses) prior to receiving the funds. Detailed instructions will be included with the email notification.

Last updated: July 17, 2020 12:00am

If you were enrolled in at least one face-to-face instructional course in spring 2020 (as of February 20, 2020) or a hybrid program, and you received federal financial aid in that semester, you may be eligible for a CARES Act Emergency Grant. Please see the eligibility criteria above. If you believe that you are eligible but did not receive an e-mail notification, please contact your divisional financial aid office below:

• Homewood (Arts & Sciences and Engineering)
• Carey Business School
• School of Education
• School of Medicine
• School of Nursing
• Peabody Institute
• School of Public Health
• School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

Last updated: July 17, 2020 12:00am

Per the U.S. Department of Education, international students and DACA students are not eligible for CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Last updated: July 17, 2020 12:00am

Any Hopkins student facing financial uncertainty related to the pandemic should contact Financial Aid to discuss options.  Requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis, and prioritized based on level of financial need.

Last updated: July 17, 2020 12:00am

No. CARES Act funding will not impact your eligibility for financial aid and will not be listed as part of your financial aid package.

Last updated: July 17, 2020 12:00am

No. Per the Internal Revenue Service, the grant will not be included in your taxable income. Please visit the IRS’s site for more details.

Last updated: July 17, 2020 12:00am

Funds must be used for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19, including eligible expenses that are part of a typical student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care.

Last updated: July 17, 2020 12:00am

All undergraduate classes and academic activities will continue to be online during the fall semester. The university is making plans to expand in-person activity for the spring semester and to offer some classes in person and others remotely or in a mixed modality. For some students, depending on their courses, all classes may remain virtual even when they are living on or near campus.  Students will not be required to come to campus and will be able to maintain their academic progress remotely.

Graduate and professional programs will continue to evaluate their own operations, and many are expected to offer some in-person activities in the spring subject to strict public health guidelines. Decisions about specific programs will be communicated by the schools.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 4:20pm

No. Faculty will continue to have the option to teach remotely, including at the instructional studios that have been constructed at various locations on campus.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 4:22pm

Schools recognize that supporting instructors in further mastery of pedagogical and technological options through training and resources will be essential for ensuring the success of remote/online instruction in the fall. All school teaching and learning staff have been asked to prepare a scalable plan for supporting faculty who may need to adapt to new teaching modalities.

In addition, schools and the university are co-investing in new technological resources to enhance the digital experience based on recommendations and guidelines developed by the Online Resources Workgroup. KSAS and WSE have constructed dozens of remote teaching studios on campus to help faculty provide a truly engaging educational experience.

Last updated: Aug 6, 2020 4:43pm

We want faculty and academic staff to work together and with their students to ensure the academic and intellectual community remains strong. This includes exploring online options for seminars and special events, short-term projects, student research, and professional development.

Schools have also evaluated and enhanced as needed for the remote environment all academic services and supports normally provided to students to ensure they can succeed, including academic advising, tutoring and writing support, career planning and life design, health and wellness counseling, library resources and information technology support.

Last updated: Aug 6, 2020 3:55pm

Yes, but only as part of a school-approved lab plan.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 4:21pm

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

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.

Last updated: Dec 16, 2020 3:40pm

Individuals who test positive will be contacted by a health care worker to receive guidance regarding self-isolation, monitoring of symptoms, and general health advice. Positive test results will be reported (as required by law) to the Maryland Department of Health, which will be responsible for the associated broad contact tracing. In addition, the JHCCC will conduct a short interview with the test-positive affiliate regarding their on-campus activity and contact with other JH affiliates as part of our own investigation, contact analysis, notification process (ICAN), to help determine if other JH affiliates may have been exposed by a JH affiliate or in a JHU-associated environment.

The ICAN/JHCCC team will do everything in its power to maintain the anonymity of the test-positive affiliate. JH affiliates who may have had meaningful exposure to a COVID-19-positive affiliate will be notified, without being told the identity of the COVID-19-positive affiliate unless consent is provided. These additional affiliates will be advised to self-quarantine for a period determined by the date of the potential contact and exposure. If affiliates are not contacted by the JHCCC, it means the JHCCC has determined that no meaningful contact with or exposure to a COVID-19-positive affiliate has taken place.

Other notifications include:

• Employees (faculty, staff, post-docs): Supervisors of test-positive employees will not be notified of an employee’s COVID-positive status unless the employee gives consent to do so; the supervisor will simply be notified that the employee is off-duty. Test-positive employees must secure clearance for return to work from Occupational Health prior to returning to campus.
• Students: Students who have a test ordered and are asked to quarantine will be reported to their respective school’s student affairs representative as being ‘off-duty.’ If a student provides consent, additional information will be provided. If the student tests negative, the school will be notified that the student is cleared. If consent is not provided by the student, a committee will review and evaluate the potential public-health risk to others. The committee can recommend and the university can elect to report the student’s COVID-positive status to the school’s student affairs representative without consent should the public health risks warrant such action. This will be a very rare circumstance. Test-positive students must secure clearance for return to class/campus from the Student Health Center prior to return.

Last updated: Aug 21, 2020 9:45pm

Everyone must wear face coverings (including all faculty, staff, students, postdoctoral fellows, other trainees, guests, vendors, and visitors) indoors and outdoors, on campus and in university buildings, and in and around leased spaces, except when in a single-occupancy office with a closed door or while eating or drinking at least six feet away from others.

Due to recent studies and in alignment with Johns Hopkins Medicine, the following are not acceptable as face coverings:

• Any face covering with an exhalation valve
• Neck ‘gaiter’ coverings
• Bandanas

Exceptions to the requirement to wear face coverings outdoors will be made for individuals whose employment requires they work outside full time (e.g security, some facilities staff, etc.). They will need to wear face coverings when interacting with the public or when unable to practice social distancing.

The university will provide face coverings for JHU affiliates, who may also elect to use their own face coverings. Face coverings should be non-medical types in order to maintain supplies for health care use. Cloth face coverings must only be worn for one day at a time, and must be properly hand washed or laundered before subsequent use. They must at a minimum fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, be secured (e.g., with ties or ear loops), cover the nose and mouth, allow for breathing without restriction, and be able to be laundered without damage or change to shape.

Last updated: Aug 21, 2020 12:55pm

Everyone on campus is expected to follow physical distancing practices. They should:

• Stay at least 6 feet (about two arms-lengths) from other people whenever possible
• Not gather in groups
• Stay out of crowded places and avoid large social gatherings
• Engage in noncontact methods of greetings that avoid handshakes
• Stagger breaks and meal times during the day
• When eating or drinking indoors or outside, maintain at least 6 feet of separation

Additional planning for occupancy limits in labs and classrooms is addressed in the research and instruction guidance documents.

Last updated: Aug 21, 2020 1:43pm

Every member of our community is empowered to request compliance with guidance set forth here and in other university communications. Those who encounter noncompliance with guidance may notify the university via the JHU Hotline at:

• 844-SPEAK2US (844-773-2528)
• johnshopkinsspeak2us.com

Failure to comply with the health and safety guidelines places our community at risk for spreading the virus, which endangers our health and may result in further disruption of research and educational activities. Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) has the authority to shut down facilities and activities that are noncompliant with these health and safety precautions.

Last updated: Oct 15, 2020 12:00am

Allegations of student non-compliance are referred to Student Conduct and follow the procedures outlined in the Student Conduct Code and the Reinforcement of University Guidelines for Students, to determine the appropriate disciplinary action for COVID safety concerns. The Student Conduct Code covers student and student group/organization misconduct. The expectations for compliance with these guidelines are consistent with content found in existing university policy, specifically outlined in the Student Conduct Code. Except in egregious cases, the Reinforcement of University Guidelines provides for progressive enforcement that would not involve disciplinary action for a first offense. Students are expected to comply with the public health directives and local ordinances where they are currently residing.

Last updated: Dec 16, 2020 12:23pm

Because we recognize that our Baltimore and D.C. campuses are part of a larger community, and that our students are currently living all over the world, we are advocating for compliance with public health measures that will help minimize the spread of COVID-19 regardless of location. Beyond the normal JHU Campus Safety and Security patrols and the Student Life Student Community Liaison who supports undergraduates, there is no additional monitoring in place.

Students who are not on-campus or residing in the Baltimore or D.C. area should comply with the public health directives and local city or country ordinances where they are currently residing.

Last updated: Sep 25, 2020 2:19pm

Expectations regarding the following of all university COVID-19 guidance, including distancing and masking, apply to all university affiliates, including faculty and staff, not just students. Staff non-compliance is handled via the usual HR disciplinary process; faculty noncompliance is handled via applicable professional misconduct policies and procedures. All non-compliance is first approached in a collegial way, with an emphasis on education.

Last updated: Sep 25, 2020 2:23pm

When University leadership was setting gathering limits, the intention was not focused on demonstrations. Instead, the focus was on social gatherings in off-campus housing in the communities immediately surrounding our Baltimore/DC schools/campuses. The University supports the right to free expression. We encourage students who want to engage in demonstrations to follow guidance from their local jurisdictions. For those participating in demonstrations in Baltimore City, students should look to the COVID-19 Executive Orders from the Mayor for guidance.

Free expression is not prohibited by the Return to Campus Guidance, and the University is strongly supportive of “the right to speak and create, to question and dissent, to participate in debate on and off campus, and to invite others to do the same, all without fear of restraint or penalty” as articulated in the University’s Statement on Academic Freedom. The guidance states that while JHU remains in Phase 1, event capacity on campus is a maximum of 10 people unless exceptions are approved by Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)/Risk Management. As noted in the Freedom of Expression Guidelines, students interested in organizing or engaging in protests, demonstrations or other acts of public expression are strongly encouraged to reach out to the Offices of the Provost, Student Life, and Campus Safety and Security to determine viable options, especially during Phase 1 of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are not asking for students to make a choice between protesting and their health. Instead, we are asking for students to work with our offices to ensure this can be done safely.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2021 10:41am

The Guidance does not prohibit students from attending religious services off campus. Page 17 of the Return to Campus Guidance states the following regarding events on campus:

No external (commercial, community, etc.) events will be held on-campus during Fall 2020. Internal (JH affiliate attendees) events will be limited as follows:

• All events deemed mission critical during Fall 2020 shall be reviewed by HSE and Risk Management and require permission from the appropriate Dean’s office or University Administration department. Mission critical activities include activities that cannot be effectively conducted virtually and are directly related to critical research or other activities deemed essential.
• Event capacity is a maximum of 10 people unless exceptions are approved by HSE/Risk Management. JHU guidance will not exceed local regulatory public health rules in restricting group sizes.
• All participants are expected to wear face coverings and maintain 6 feet physical distancing between themselves and others.

We encourage students to follow Baltimore City, Washington, D.C., or their local public health orders on religious services and to adhere to public health measures.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2021 10:40am

We encourage students to follow Baltimore City, Washington, D.C., or their local public health orders on exercise classes and to adhere to public health measures including wearing a mask and social distancing.

Last updated: Sep 25, 2020 4:07pm

Yes—exceptions to the campus requirement for universal face coverings include time spent in a single-occupancy office with a closed door and eating or drinking at a physical distance of at least six feet from any other person.

Last updated: Sep 2, 2020 11:41am

For the fall, while we remain in Phase 1 of our reopening plan, widespread screening of everyone who comes to campus is not in place. Before the start of the spring semester, JHU will adopt a mass testing plan that will require a test before students return to campus and will require twice-weekly testing conducted by the university for undergraduates.

Testing will be required at least once weekly for faculty, staff, graduate students and post docs who are (1) participating in or directly supporting in-person, on-campus classes (with exceptions for clinically-based instruction) or (2) regularly exposed to undergraduates. In addition, the divisions may require testing for any faculty, staff, graduate students or post-docs who are deemed to have a heightened risk of exposure. Testing will be available and/or required for faculty, staff and students who are asked to quarantine due to exposure on campus, or who were working or learning in the same enclosed space (e.g., classroom or lab) at the same time as someone who tests positive. In addition, testing will be required for specific groups of contract workers and vendors, and all approved visitors.

Optional, free testing will be available on a weekly basis beginning in January for all asymptomatic affiliates who are on campus. More information and detailed guidelines for testing will be available in December, including test collection locations on all campuses and instructions for how to make testing appointments and receive test results.

The university will continue to provide medical management testing for those exhibiting symptoms of COVID or who have been identified for screening through our contact tracing process.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 3:48pm

Anyone who feels ill or is concerned about exposure should call the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Call Center at 833-546-7546, seven days a week, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Callers to JHCCC who are ill or are concerned they may be infected with SARS-CoV-2 will be asked a series of questions regarding their symptoms and possible exposure to others who have COVID-19. For those individuals who meet the criteria set by the Johns Hopkins Infection Control Team in collaboration with Occupational Health, the JHCCC will arrange an appointment for a COVID-19 test.

Individuals who test positive will be contacted by a health care worker to receive guidance regarding self-isolation, monitoring of symptoms, and general health advice. Positive test results will be reported (as required by law) to the Maryland Department of Health, which will be responsible for the associated broad contact tracing. In addition, the JHCCC will conduct a short interview with the test-positive affiliate regarding their on-campus activity and contact with other Johns Hopkins affiliates as part of our own investigation, contact analysis, notification process (ICAN), to help determine if other Johns Hopkins affiliates may have been exposed by a Johns Hopkins affiliate or in a JHU-associated environment.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 3:55pm

Our mass testing program will use saliva samples, and our goal is to provide results within 24 hours.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 3:56pm

Our testing policies are informed by the most successful practices that have emerged from our peer institutions during the fall semester 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. At peer institutions that have conducted in-person operations during the fall semester, the vast majority of COVID cases are among undergraduates.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 3:57pm

Our testing policies are informed by the most successful practices that have emerged from our peer institutions during the fall semester. Although other institutions have seen none to very little transmission associated with classroom instruction and laboratory settings, and there has been no known transmission in our laboratory settings, we concluded that mandatory testing for many faculty, staff, and graduate students is prudent, particularly for those who come into regular contact with undergraduates. Individuals within our community face varying degrees of risk of serious outcomes from COVID, and individuals have varying degrees of risk tolerance. We and many of our peer institutions have concluded that including many faculty, staff and graduate students in our mandatory testing program, and offering optional testing for all affiliates, provides the greatest level of safety and peace of mind to the community.

Last updated: Nov 2, 2020 3:58pm

Beginning Aug. 26, 2020, individuals returning to campus will be required to complete a daily health check using a mobile app/website called Prodensity. The short questionnaire will ask specific questions to assess a user’s actual symptoms and/or exposure risks. Answers will yield a status to a campus pass, which will be used to grant/deny campus access. The campus pass expires after 12 hours. People may not report to campus unless they have a green campus pass.

This app has provisions for check-in and check-out of campus spaces, although this is not yet operational campus-wide. For those campus spaces (e.g. labs and research areas) that elect to manage density using this app, users may need to scan QR codes to ensure compliance with capacity limits. Please refer to individual laboratory policy for specific requirements.

Last updated: Aug 21, 2020 1:48pm

The university will provide faculty, staff, and students with two reusable cloth face coverings appropriate for meeting the masking requirements for its campuses. More substantial PPE will be provided in situations where the work of the laboratory called for that level of PPE before the COVID-19 outbreak, or where strict physical distancing requirements cannot be met (e.g., equipment requires two persons for safe usage).

Last updated: June 30, 2020 8:56am

Custodial crews will clean common areas, lobbies, restrooms, classrooms, and conference rooms daily based on CDC guidance. Several times daily, custodians will provide additional cleaning of high touch points (stairwell and room door handles, elevator buttons, etc.).

Individual affiliates will be expected to clean tables, surfaces, or labs with which they make contact and wipe down personal workspaces. Before starting activity in a space and before leaving any room in which they have been working, individuals must wipe down all areas with a cleaning agent. This includes any shared-space location or equipment (e.g. copiers, printers, computers, A/V and other electrical equipment, coffee makers, desks and tables, conference tables, light switches, door knobs, etc.). People should avoid using other affiliates’ phones, desks, offices, or other tools and equipment and should clean and disinfect them before and after use.

Last updated: June 19, 2020 10:06am

A university workgroup, in consultation with the faculty Health Advisory Group, determined that occupancy in elevators should be limited to four and that individuals should wear face coverings and press elevator buttons with another object (knuckle, elbow, etc.) if possible. Everyone should wash hands or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol upon departing the elevator.

Last updated: June 19, 2020 10:53am

The ventilation—the number of air exchanges per hour and amount of fresh air intake—in each building is being reassessed and increased when appropriate. Facilities is also performing preventative maintenance checks to ensure filters have been changed and that systems are working properly.

Last updated: June 19, 2020 10:57am

Everyone who takes public transportation or uses JH buses and shuttles must wear a face covering. Vehicle capacity will be set to limit density and in consultation with public health experts and regulatory guidance. The current limits are set at 24 passengers per JH bus and one rider group (single request) per van with a limit of eight passengers. For buses, passengers will be asked to enter via rear door only. Buses and Blue Jay Shuttle vans are cleaned after each driver’s shift using HSE-approved, hospital-grade products and high touch points are cleaned several times a shift by each driver.

Last updated: June 19, 2020 10:58am

Individuals are asked to take responsibility for respecting social distancing while using restrooms. Hand dryers will be disconnected and paper towels provided. Education and awareness signage regarding hand hygiene will be provided.

Last updated: June 19, 2020 11:06am

There are no such restrictions for travelers at this time, but the university will be subject to any future such federal, state, or local restrictions. Students returning to campus for instruction in the fall will need to be aware of any restrictions at that time related to where they are traveling from, and they may be asked to quarantine upon arrival if government regulations dictate.

Last updated: June 27, 2020 9:48pm

Yes. The university is covering all testing costs, and your insurance will not be billed.

Last updated: Jan 17, 2021 10:02pm