Dear students,
With winter break upon us, we write to update you on Mount Holyoke College’s COVID-19 related protocols for your return to campus in January.
As a reminder, our community is always encouraged to practice preventive health measures – handwashing, coughing/sneezing into your arm or a tissue, mask wearing when traveling, in large groups or just for your own protection, and updating vaccinations. The bivalent COVID booster and flu vaccine can still offer helpful protection!
Testing Prior to Arrival
If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, cold, or flu; if you have traveled; or if you have participated in large group activities, we strongly recommend you get tested before you return to campus. Consult CDC guidelines for up-to-date travel and health guidance.
For students traveling from the People's Republic of China, the United States has issued testing requirements for entry.
A reminder that all United States households are eligible to receive 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. All students who have the College’s health insurance (SHIP) can order 8 free at-home COVID-19 tests every 30 days (step-by-step video on how to order), and many other insurances provide free tests or reimbursement. There are also a number of free testing sites throughout the country.
PLEASE NOTE: If you test positive for COVID-19 within 10 days of your planned arrival on campus, you must isolate-in-place where you are currently located or somewhere off-campus.
- Notify Health Services using the Positive COVID Test Form. Health Services will contact you to coordinate a plan for returning to campus.
- The earliest possible day to return to campus is on day 6 following your positive test. You will be required to follow heightened safety precautions while on campus until day 11, at which point you may resume whatever the campus protocols are at that time.
- Those testing positive during winter break and who have completed the full 10 day protocol are asked to use the same google form to report the date of positive test, but there is no need to delay your return to campus or await “clearance” from Health Services to do so.
Testing After Arrival On-Campus
Beginning January 22, 2023, students returning to campus are strongly urged to mask and/or keep a 6 foot distance from others, until having self-administered and self-reviewed results from two negative rapid antigen tests at least 48 hours apart. For example: you return on January 22 and you take a rapid antigen test, you then take a second test on January 24. Please note that testing is your responsibility as part of our community of care.
- We encourage you to return to campus with your own supply of rapid test kits. Review the information above to learn more about ordering kits!
- Rapid self-test kits (kits include 2 tests) will be available in Blanchard 205, for those who need them.
PLEASE NOTE: If you test positive for COVID-19 once back on campus you must submit the Positive COVID Test Form. During the break, which includes January Intersession before classes resume, all students living on campus who test positive for COVID-19 will follow isolate-in-place protocols. For more information review the student COVID-19 Embark page.
Masking
Masking will remain optional and welcomed everywhere on campus. Please note, we are encouraging all students to exercise caution and wear a KN95 mask until they have tested negative twice using self administered rapid COVID antigen tests taken at least 2 days apart.
- Masks are required in the Pattie Groves Health Center, and at the Athletic training rooms in Kendall. They are also required anytime a student is outside their own residence hall room during the 10 days following a positive COVID test
- When masks are required, please wear well-fitting masks that are at least three layers. KN95 masks are available in Blanchard 205 at the Student Life front desk, in the Auxiliary Services lobby by the vending machines, and in the Public Safety and Service lobby.
- Please be supportive of each other and individual masking choices.
We will continue to carefully monitor local, regional and national health conditions and adjust our policies and protocols as needed. If or when you have questions, please direct them to dean-students@mtholyoke.edu
Our biggest thanks to each and every one of you for engaging in the health and safety of our entire MHC community by following the College’s protocols. We wish each of you a healthy, safe, and restorative break.
Thank you,
Health and Safety Committee
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