Phases for Resuming On-Campus Activity
Consistent with Maryland’s Roadmap to Recovery, we have resumed in-person activities with health and safety protocols in place and are substantially back to normal for the fall 2021 semester. Progress through the phases of recovery may differ across the university, and may be halted or reversed if conditions demand it.
Johns Hopkins University is currently in Phase 3 of its reopening plan as of July 1.
Essential On-Campus Activities
- Strict physical distancing and appropriate masking requirements
- Testing and contact tracing of symptomatic students and employees
While the university remains open, telework is the first choice and priority for as many employees as possible, in accordance with Maryland’s stay-at-home order. Employees should be on site only when performing essential tasks. All on-campus research is restricted to essential and COVID-19 activities only. Access to all campus buildings is restricted. Instruction is remote/online and all residential and in-person academic programs are canceled.
Phase 1 – Resuming Low-Risk Activities
- Continue to comply with strict physical distancing and appropriate masking requirements
- Testing and contact tracing of symptomatic students and employees
Examples of activities during this phase
- Resumption of research with strict distancing practices, including the use of staggered shifts
- Most instruction remains online/remote
- Limited classroom instruction (e.g., 10-person seminars can resume, with physical distancing and masking)
- Limited operation of campus facilities, including libraries
- Limited transportation options
Phase 2 – Resuming Medium-Risk Activities
- Continued reliance on strict physical distancing, frequent handwashing, and appropriate masking requirements.
- Testing and contact investigation and analysis of all symptomatic students and employees, and routine testing of asymptomatic individuals at a rate similar or better than the national, state, and local efforts.
Examples of activities during this phase
- More programs begin to resume in-person (low-density, and always with an online option)
- Graduate instruction and research labs continue with low density (six-foot distancing, and with masking)
- Permission for undergraduates to participate in on-campus research, subject to the decision by individual Principal Investigators and incorporation into their Return to Research plans.
- Limited residential housing (single rooms only) and dining (“grab and go” and/or limited seating based on public health guidance)
Phase 3 – Resuming Higher-Risk Activities
Requires widely available vaccine, effective therapeutics, and/or substantial immunity among community
Examples of activities during this phase
- Instruction in large lecture halls without strict distancing
- Unmodified residential and dining activities for those who have been vaccinated
- Unrestricted outdoor events; indoor events with some capacity limitations
- Physical distancing requirements lifted (though distancing is still required for unvaccinated individuals while eating indoors)
- Full transportation options
- Return from remote work for all employees
- Unrestricted travel
