Current Covid FAQs

Information will be added here as we have it, and is subject to change. Last update: February 6, 2023

Those with concerns about behaviors in violation of these policies who are uncomfortable handling it themselves are encouraged to file a report.

Masks

 

Masking is optional but encouraged starting Sunday, February 5. Masking (KN95 or better) remains mandatory for:

  • All indoor academic activities (classes, labs, etc)
  • Health & Counseling Services
  • The Hampstore
  • People with symptoms: Stay home and mask until after either a negative PCR test result is returned, or after two negative rapid home antigen tests taken 24 hours apart. See Experiencing Symptoms FAQ (below).
  • Close contacts: Mask for 10 days following the last day of exposure. See Close Contacts FAQ (below).
  • People with COVID-19: If cleared to leave formal isolation, must mask through day 10 following a positive COVID-19 test results. See Positive COVID-19 Test Result FAQ (below).
Outdoors Encouraged in crowded environments and/or within six feet of others.

Masks should be a KN95 or better (no cloth masks), fit securely, and cover your nose and mouth with no gaps.

Vaccines

Students and Employees

Mandatory.

All students and employees must receive all doses in a primary COVID-19 vaccine series plus one booster (when eligible).

All students must receive a bivalent booster.

All students and employees are expected to remain up to date with CDC vaccination recommendations.

Students who remain unvaccinated or under-vaccinated without approved exemptions on file will not be permitted to attend Hampshire.

Employees who remain unvaccinated or under-vaccinated without approved exemptions on file will have their employment at Hampshire College terminated.

International Students

Hampshire College will accept any COVID-19 vaccine that has been approved by the World Health Organization.

An international student who has not been able to acquire a vaccine or received a vaccine that is not approved by the World Health Organization will be assisted by Hampshire Health Services in getting an approved COVID-19 vaccine series after arrival.

Asymptomatic Testing

Students and Employees

All students are expected to test at home before returning to campus, and participate in on campus PCR onboard testing. Onboarding testing includes a PCR test upon arrival followed by two PCR tests per week (on non-consecutive days) for the first two weeks. Employees may choose to participate.

Rapid antigen tests will be available all semester. Asymptomatic PCR testing will not be available after onboard testing ends.

Updates on known campus COVID-19 cases are available on the COVID-19 Testing Program web page.

Campus community members can find more information and answers to testing FAQs here.

Positive Covid-19 Test Result

Students and Employees

Must isolate for at least five days from onset of symptoms or from the date of positive COVID test if asymptomatic.

May exit isolation after five full days, if (1) symptoms are resolving and no fever for 24 hours; and (2) after two negative antigen tests spaced 24 hours apart (i.e. the morning of day five and the morning of day six, before leaving your residence).

May exit isolation without testing after 10 days if symptom-free.

Must wear a KN95 or better mask indoors at all times after leaving isolation, until the 10th day after beginning isolation.

Students may remove their mask in their own room with the door closed; employees may not remove their mask indoors at any time during the 10 day period.

Students Will be moved into campus isolation housing. Food will be delivered. Students may isolate off campus or at home if safe transportation can be arranged.
Employees Isolate at home. Notify supervisor/dean of faculty and Human Resources Office within one business day of a positive test result.

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should refrain from PCR testing for 90 days.

Experiencing Symptoms

(if you are sick)

Students and Employees

If you are experiencing symptoms, please wear a mask.

May not attend work, class, other activities, or dine indoors until either a negative PCR COVID-19 test result is received, or you have had two negative rapid antigen tests taken 24 hours apart.

A person with symptomatic illness but who has a negative PCR COVID-19 or two negative rapid antigen tests taken 24 hours apart may resume normal activities on campus; please wear a mask while symptomatic. 

A person with symptomatic illness who tests positive on either a PCR or rapid antigen test should refer to the Positive COVID-19 test result section for what to do.

Students Rapid home tests are available at Campus Safety and Wellbeing, the Wellness Center, and Health Services. Call Health Services for guidance and symptomatic PCR COVID-19 testing.
Employees

Rapid home tests are available at Campus Safety and Wellbeing and the Wellness Center. Call your healthcare provider for guidance and additional symptomatic PCR COVID-19 testing. Notify your supervisor or dean of faculty.

Notify Human Resources within one business day in the event of a positive test result.

Every person who is coming to or on campus must conduct a daily COVID-19 symptom self-check before leaving their home.

Close Contacts

(if you were exposed)

Students and Employees with Symptoms Stay home and be evaluated by their health care provider. Get a PCR COVID-19 test, or take two rapid antigen tests spaced 24 hours apart. If positive, follow positive COVID-19 test result guidelines above for when to leave isolation.

Asymptomatic Students and Employees

Should continue to work, attend class, and participate in activities.

Must wear a KN95 or better mask indoors for 10 days following exposure.* Mask must be worn at all times except in your private residential room and bathroom. No indoor dining.

Should COVID-19 test five full days after the last day of exposure.*

*For people with ongoing exposure to someone infected with COVID-19 (such as living in households with sick family members), the last day of exposure is the last day the person is in proximity to an infectious person.

  • A close contact is anyone within six feet (masked or unmasked) of a person with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual five-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes).
  • Hampshire College recommends that people enable MassNotify to aid with contact tracing efforts. Follow these instructions for anonymously reporting a positive test result to MassNotify.

Dining

Indoor Dining (Including Visitors and Guests)

No indoor dining if:

  • You are a close contact (exposed to Covid)
  • You have recently had a positive COVID-19 test result and are within the first 10 days (or still testing positive on antigen tests after day 10).
  • You have symptoms of COVID-19 and have not yet received a negative PCR result or two negative rapid antigen test results spaced 24 hours apart.

Regular space-specific food and drink restrictions still apply (e.g. laboratories, computer labs, etc).

Outdoor Dining

Strongly encouraged.

Covered outdoor seating is available at the Dakin/Merrill pavilion and the solar canopy.

Visitors and Guests

Visitors and Guests Must follow general masking policies. See Masks FAQ (above).

Additional policies may be adopted when a large number of visitors is expected on campus for events or activities, or when visitors will be on campus for extended periods.

Travel and Pool Vehicle Usage

Students and Employees Strongly encourage everyone to avoid going to locations where the risk of infection is high, and wear a mask in public while traveling.
College-Sponsored Travel There are no COVID-19-specific restrictions on College-sponsored domestic and international travel. Travel is permitted subject to state and federal guidelines and/or restrictions, and in accordance with regular College policies governing travel.
Pool Vehicle Usage No restrictions on pool vehicle usage. Masks are encouraged.