Current Covid FAQs

Masking is optional but strongly encouraged everywhere on campus. Please mask if requested out of respect and care for others in our community. 

Masking (KN95 or better) is mandatory* for:

• People with symptoms: Expected to mask, even after a negative COVID test. 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: Per CDC Guidelines, when you are ready to return to normal activities, please take added precaution and continue masking for five additional days. See Positive COVID-19 Test Result FAQ (below). 
• Health & Counseling Services: Masking is required if you have any symptoms of a potentially contagious illness (such as fever, congestion, runny nose, cough, sore throat, etc), are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, have COVID-19 and have been cleared to leave isolation for an in-person appointment, or have been asked to mask.
• “Covid-strict” housing floors

If you are experiencing symptoms, please wear a mask. 

You may not attend work, class, or other activities until you have had a negative PCR or two negative rapid antigen tests taken 24 hours apart.

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

A person with symptomatic illness who tests positive should refer to the Positive COVID-19 test result section for what to do.

Call Health & Counseling Services for guidance and symptomatic COVID-19 testing (Monday – Friday between 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m).

The University Health Services Walk-In Clinic at UMASS is available to Hampshire students after hours (Monday – Friday until 8 p.m. and on weekends from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.). To be seen in the Walk-In Clinic, please join the virtual waiting room and you will be informed of your appointment time.

Call your healthcare provider for guidance in addressing your diagnostic needs.

In the event of a positive test result, notify your supervisor or dean of faculty. Notify Human Resources within one business day in event of a positive test result.

Symptomatic PCR testing for students is available at Health & Counseling Services by appointment.

Students and Employees

You are expected to follow CDC guidelines for preventing the spread of respiratory viruses, which includes COVID, RSV, the flu, and other respiratory illnesses. As of March 2024, the CDC has stopped recommending utilization of a calculator and instead recommends: 

Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.

• You may go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
  • Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
  • You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
• When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next five days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.
  • Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
  • If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next five days.

For questions about this, please Call Health and Counseling Services at 413.559.5458.

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 first five days back at work.

Must notify Residence Life of a positive test using this form.

Students will isolate in their residential room. May isolate off campus or at home if safe transportation can be arranged. Dedicated isolation housing will be available for those whose circumstances dictate it.

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*. Masks must be worn at all times except in your private residential room and bathroom, or private office. No indoor dining.

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

Indoor Dining (Including Visitors and Guests)

No indoor dining if:

• You are a close contact of someone with COVID-19.
• You have had a positive COVID-19 test result and are isolating.
• You are in the five-day precaution period after recovering from COVID-19.
• You have symptoms of COVID-19 and have not yet had two negative rapid antigen test results spaced 24 hours apart, or one negative PCR test.