Updated 8/19/2022
Below is an overview of our current public health and safety protocols, as well as University resources to support physical and mental health. We ask that you regularly check your WashU email for updates, along with the content featured here.
*Note: These policies may be updated as disease activity changes and CDC guidelines and science advance. This includes a potential return to more restricted guidance, based on local conditions. Please continue to visit covid19.wustl.edu for the latest university guidance.
Masking and physical distancing
(Updated August 1, 2022)
Effective August 1, 2022, masking will be strongly encouraged for all Danforth Campus spaces. There will be no limit on gathering sizes.
For more information, visit the Danforth Campus mask requirements page.
At this time, physical distancing is not required.
Practice Personal Hygiene
Frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is recommended. When hand washing is not an option, hand sanitizer can be used.
Hygienic practices for good respiratory etiquette include covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze and not touching your mouth, nose, and eyes.
COVID-19 Testing
The University will continue to provide free COVID-19 testing for all students, faculty, and staff who develop symptoms of COVID-19 at any time. Individuals with even mild symptoms—including those who have been fully vaccinated—should be tested for COVID-19. Members of the University community should call the COVID Call Center at 314-362-5056 to report symptoms or exposure and to arrange for a free test.
Daily Self-Screening
All students, faculty, staff, trainees, and visitors are encouraged to complete a daily self-screening for COVID-19 symptoms before coming to campus or leaving their on-campus residence. The screening tool is available at screening.wustl.edu.
Note: In addition to the symptoms listed in the screening tool, everyone also should pay attention to milder symptoms such as a new headache or a stuffy nose. These can also be signs of COVID-19. Call the COVID Call Center at 314-362-5056 to report even mild symptoms.
COVID-19 Vaccine
All students, faculty, staff and trainees are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Current employees and returning students who have already submitted proof of vaccination do not need to do anything further, but should provide documentation of their boosters when/if they receive them. New students and employees must provide documentation of their vaccination on the Habif Health and Wellness Center website or the ReadySet portal, respectively.
At this time, we are not requiring boosters, but may do so if conditions change. We strongly encourage everyone to be up to date with the COVID vaccine as recommended for them personally. Being up to date reduces the risk of severe disease and currently prevents the need to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19.
Vaccines are available on campus free of charge. For Danforth Campus students, Habif Health and Wellness Center has the Pfizer vaccine and appointments are available through the student portal on the Habif website. Employees and trainees can schedule an appointment at the Center for Advanced Medicine on the Medical Campus or visit vaccinatestl.org or vaccines.gov to find a location.
Additional information about the COVID-19 vaccine is available in the Vaccine FAQ.
Instructions to Upload Vaccine Documentation
Faculty and staff
- Take a picture or scan your COVID-19 proof of vaccination
- Please save the file in one of the extension formats: pdf, png, jpg, jpeg, txt, doc, docx, tif, tiff
- Log in to your ReadySet account and go to the “My Health” tab
- For a better experience, using Google Chrome is recommended
- Choose “Documents” from the side navigation and then click “Upload Document”
- Click “Select a File”’ to upload the document
- Name the file in the “Document Name”’ field
- Select “Document Type” and “COVID-19 Vaccination”
Note: Faculty and staff who received the COVID-19 vaccine through the university do not need to upload documentation.
Contact Tracing
In collaboration with Google, the university has launched a smartphone tool that allows students, faculty, staff, and trainees to participate in a COVID-19 exposure notification system. All members of the university community are encouraged to use the MO/Notify system, which alerts users when they have had close contact with another user who has tested positive for COVID-19. Learn more about MO/Notify. Occupational Health will also continue with its regular contact tracing process.
COVID-19 Dashboard
The university maintains a dashboard containing information on positive cases and positivity rates for all positive tests performed at WashU and our BJC Health partners on Danforth Campus students, faculty and staff. For regional data, visit the St. Louis County COVID-19 dashboard.
Faculty & Staff
Employees will continue with their current work arrangements, which may be reevaluated on an individual/departmental basis as needed. All employees must continue to complete a self-screening before coming to campus each day. Anyone with even mild symptoms of COVID-19 should call the COVID Call Center at 314-362-5056 for guidance and to arrange for a free test.
Resources for Physical & Mental Health
Students can continue to access the Habif Health & Wellness Center for medical and mental health appointments unrelated to COVID-19. Please visit their website for details about modified operations during COVID-19.
It is normal to feel fear and anxiety during a time of uncertainty and disruption like this. As hard as it can be, make sure you are getting adequate sleep, eating well, getting some exercise, and communicating with friends and family. People who already are managing existing mental health conditions should particularly prioritize self-care and contact their clinicians if they have questions or concerns. You may want to consult this WashU site on managing anxiety during this time. The CDC offers some additional tips.
In addition, the University offers students Therapy Assistance Online (TAO), a seven-to-nine-week, interactive, web-based program that provides well-researched and highly effective strategies to help overcome anxiety, depression and other common concerns.
You can reach out to Associate Dean Joseph Fitzpatrick if you need a referral for resources.
COVID-19 Policy Concerns Portal
Members of the university community may report concerns about university policies and protocols related to COVID-19 or their enforcement through portals for students, faculty and staff. Learn more about the COVID Policy Concerns Portals.
Students
Student Conduct Incident Report Form
Faculty and Staff
University Compliance Online Reporting Form
Please note that these are confidential resources. Privacy will be maintained for the contact information of anyone submitting a concern. Concerns will only receive a follow-up response if more detail is required to take action on the report.
Anonymous concerns may also be submitted through the university’s Anonymous Compliance Hotline, 314-362-4998 or to the Offices of the Ombuds.
Members of the St. Louis Community and campus visitors who wish to submit a concern may contact the university’s Office of Government and Community Relations.