2022-2023 Student COVID-19 Close Contacts Protocols

What To Do If You're a Close Contact or Exposed

While our hope is that everyone will remain healthy, we acknowledge that the likelihood of becoming sick at some point during the academic year is still elevated, whether it is a cold, flu, COVID-19, or something else. We encourage you to have conversations now with your roommate/s and family members about what to do if, and when, you or a roommate becomes ill.

If your roommate tests positive for COVID19 or you were informed that you are a close contact of someone with COVID19, you are considered exposed. Current recommendations for the exposed person are to follow heightened safety precautions and if you have no symptoms to then test on Day 6 following your exposure. If you are a closet contact, regardless of vaccination status, you must follow these instructions regarding safety precautions. Note that you can attend class as you are following the instructions regarding safety precautions.

If you develop symptoms before Day 6, the exposed person should promptly begin isolating in place and take a COVID test. If at that time you test positive, follow the protocols for COVID positive students. Taking one's own rapid antigen (at home type) COVID test is acceptable. You may also phone Health Services (413-538-2121) to schedule an appointment to get tested.

Information for Residential Roommates

Roommates of students who test positive for COVID would be considered exposed to COVID, therefore will not need to relocate to another room. Those close contact students will be permitted to attend class but should wear a mask and take a test if symptoms develop. Not moving the well roommate/s of a sick student to another location has become common practice at many colleges and universities. We encourage you to have conversations now with your roommate/s and family members about what to do if, and when, you or a roommate becomes ill.

If you are an immunocompromised student who is registered with Disability Services and your roommate tests positive for COVID it is your choice if you want to temporarily be moved to a temporary space while your roommate is isolating. To initiate the move:

• During business hours, 9am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday call Residential Life at 413-538-2088 to speak to a staff member.
• After hours call Public Safety and Service at 413-538-2304 and ask to speak with the Professional Staff On-Call. The PSOC will call you back within 15 minutes.

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If you have received no COVID-19 vaccinations (i.e. medically or religiously exempt from any COVID vaccine) and your roommate tests positive for COVID it is your choice if you want to temporarily be moved to a temporary space while your roommate is isolating. To initiate the move:

• During business hours, 9am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday call Residential Life at 413-538-2088 to speak to a staff member.
• After hours call Public Safety and Service at 413-538-2304 and ask to speak with the Professional Staff On-Call. The PSOC will call you back within 15 minutes.

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Vaccinated Students with none of the above concerns will not be moved if roommate(s) test positive. Students may make arrangements for themselves if they are uncomfortable, including staying with a friend on campus. Guest Policy Exception: Hosting a fellow MHC student while their roommate is isolating for up to 10 days is a permitted exception to our guest community standards if all parties in the hosting room and/or suite agree.