Questions? Email covidtesting@amherst.edu

Updated 8/5/22

Isolation

Students who test positive for COVID-19 will isolate in place. The CDC no longer considers college residence halls as high-risk areas because this age group is unlikely to get severe COVID if vaccinated. All students who test positive will complete their  isolation period in their rooms, and a restroom in the residence hall will be designated for use by those students.

  • Before the start of the semester, Health Services will work directly with students with medical conditions that may require them to move out of a shared space. Health Services will provide a list of the conditions that may qualify a student to move.

  • Students isolating in place must remain in their rooms except to use the restroom and collect their meals and must remain masked at all times when outside of their room. 

  • Additional KN-95 masks will be provided to all students entering isolation. 

  • Details of the isolation process, including about dining and bathroom usage, will be sent to students who test positive and need to isolate. 

  • Students who are able to safely travel in a private vehicle are encouraged to isolate at their off-campus home after consulting with Health Services.

Isolation Policies & Procedures

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to isolate for 5 full days (day 0 is the date of the positive test, day 1 is the first full day of isolation, and day 6 is the day of release). They can resume normal activity as soon as they test negative on day 6 or later. On day 11, they can automatically resume activity without taking another test.

For students :

  • All students who test positive will complete their isolation period in their rooms, and a restroom in the residence hall will be designated for use by those students.
  • Before the start of the semester, Health Services will work directly with students with medical conditions that may require them to move out of a shared space. Health Services will provide a list of the conditions that may qualify a student to move.
  • Students will be provided with complete information about isolation protocols and the process for testing out  with a negative test on day six or later.

For Faculty and Staff:

  • Faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 will need to isolate for 5 days. They may return to work on campus as soon as they test negative on day six or later. On day 11, they can return to work on campus without taking another test.