COVID FAQs

• Being fully vaccinated and boosted
• Maintain good hand hygiene
• Wear a mask in public settings especially when feeling ill
• Wear a mask if you are around someone with a current Covid-19

The campus policy is mask-optional in most spaces. Because certain buildings and classrooms can require masking it is recommended you carry an N95 or KN95 mask with you.  Professors can require that masks be worn in their classes.

The Student Health Center is not testing students who have been exposed to Covid-19 and do not have symptoms.  If you have had and exposure and would like to test, it is recommended you purchase tests from the local pharmacy,

For symptomatic students, an appointment should be made at the student health center for evaluation.  Testing will be done based on the clinical decision of the provider. Screening tests for Covid-19 are no longer being offered by the University.  

The COVID center in Room 3600 of the Hospital Towers building will be available for testing symptomatic employees (staff and faculty).

Howard University strongly recommends the Covid-19 vaccination and bivalent booster, however vaccination is no longer a requirement.

For those students that test positive, if you live on campus in a shared dorm room, you need to try to socially distance to the best of your ability in your living space.  

If students are in a shared living space it is recommended that all persons wear a mask while the inhabitant is symptomatic to minimize spread.  Students will not be relocated from their assigned residential housing if they or their roommates test positive for Covid-19.

No, to limit the spread it is important to stay home once you have tested positive.  Based on CDC recommendations you can go back to normal activities once symptoms are improving and you have not had a fever for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication.

Certain classes may require verification of medical absence.  If you are enrolled in a class that requires verification, the student health center can provide an excuse note if you were seen in the student health center or if the student health center has prior documentation of your illness.