COVID-19 FAQs

Does Georgetown University have a COVID-19 vaccination requirement?

Yes. Georgetown University requires students, faculty, staff and visitors to have received a primary series (e.g., two doses of an mRNA vaccine) and, when eligible, an additional dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (first booster), or to have an approved medical or religious exemption.

This requirement applies to:

• All faculty and staff, including teleworking employees; 
• Students enrolled in one or more in-person courses;
• Students enrolled in any online or hybrid courses that have an in-person component on campus or at an off-campus location used by Georgetown for course instruction (including but not limited to students enrolled in an online nursing program who will complete an Objective Clinical Intensive (OCI)); and
• Visitors to University-owned, operated or leased buildings in the United States.

The University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement will continue to be updated as public health conditions evolve.

Please visit the University’s COVID-19 Vaccines web page for more information.

Why is the University requiring students, faculty, staff and visitors to be vaccinated against COVID-19? 

Vaccination is one of the most important tools to protect members of our community from the potentially serious health consequences of COVID-19 and to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Current evidence has shown that vaccination substantially increases our immune response and helps prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

Which COVID-19 vaccines will meet Georgetown’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement?

Georgetown will accept vaccines either authorized for emergency use or granted approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO).

The CDC allows mixing and matching vaccines, and the additional doses may be different than the original vaccine series.

How do I provide documentation of my vaccination?

Students, faculty and staff must submit documentation of their COVID-19 vaccination (e.g., CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card) through the GU360 mobile app or GU360 website. Please follow these instructions to submit your documentation.

Visitors to University-owned, operated or leased buildings in the United States will need to follow the instructions on the Event and Visitor Guidelines page.

Where can I see if I’m in compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination requirement?

You may view your COVID-19 vaccination compliance status at the top of the home screen in the GU360 mobile app or on the GU360 website. For more information, please click on the box and then click the “Compliance Status Details” box on the next screen. Please contact hoyavaxa@georgetown.edu if you have any questions about your compliance status.

Should I get additional COVID-19 vaccine doses beyond the first booster?

While Georgetown’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement remains the same, we strongly recommend getting the “bivalent” booster when eligible and staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations following CDC guidance. If you decide to receive additional doses, please upload documentation through the GU360 mobile app or GU360 website.

What should I do if I was vaccinated recently and am not yet eligible for a booster shot?

Students, faculty, staff and visitors who have been vaccinated recently and are not yet eligible to get the additional shot are up to date on vaccination and do not need to take any action at this time. They will receive a reminder email when they become eligible for an additional dose, at which time they will need to get a booster shot and submit documentation.

How do I request a medical or religious exemption? 

Students may request a medical or religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement by completing the exemption request form and submitting the information required. 

Faculty and staff may request a medical exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement by completing the Disability Accommodation Request for Employees form and submitting the information required.

Faculty and staff may request a religious exemption by completing the Religious Accommodation form.

Please visit the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Affirmative Action website for more information about requesting accommodations.

If a medical or religious waiver is granted, the student or employee will receive an individualized accommodation with information on the public health measures that they may need to take.

What is the Novavax vaccine?

The Novavax vaccine uses a different technology than vaccines that use mRNA or viral-vector technology.

Novavax provides another option for people who cannot take any of the other vaccines available due to an allergy or other reasons.

What if I do not get vaccinated?

There are very limited exceptions to the vaccination requirement. Those exceptions are:

• Students, faculty and staff who have received medical or religious accommodations under the process described in these FAQs.
• Online students whose courses do not have any in-person instruction or activities during the semester.

Students who remain unvaccinated and do not qualify for one of those exceptions will be withdrawn from classes and placed on a leave of absence.
For employees who remain unvaccinated and do not qualify for an accommodation, on a case-by-case basis, the University may offer reassignment to an alternative position or the employee may take a period of unpaid leave or use accrued paid time off.

What if I need to take time off to get vaccinated or recover from any side effects?

All staff and AAP employees, including part-time and temporary employees, are provided 88 hours (equal to 11 full-time working days) of COVID-19 Paid Time Off (PTO), which is only to be used if an employee cannot work, either on campus or remotely, during their scheduled work hours because of the following reasons:

• Vaccination Appointments: Up to 4 hours of COVID-19 Vaccination PTO per injection appointment, including primary vaccination dose(s) and booster(s), for the following individuals:
  • Employee’s appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Employee’s minor child’s appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccination (for the purposes of this policy, a “minor child” means a child under the age of 18 years who lives with an employee and for whom the employee permanently assumes and discharges parental responsibility, or a foster child under the age of 18 years).
• Vaccination Recovery: Up to 16 hours of COVID-19 Vaccination PTO per vaccination appointment, available to be taken within the 2 days following a vaccination appointment, for the following individuals:
  • Employee’s own short-term side effects after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Employee’s minor child’s short-term side effects after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.

Employees may request to use COVID-19 Vaccination PTO by completing a time off request in GMS through the COVID-19 Vaccination PTO time off plan. Please give your manager as much advance notice as possible when requesting leave.

I am a student in an online program that includes no in-person presence. Do I need to be vaccinated?

No. If you are a student in an online course or program that does not require in-person presence, you do not need to be vaccinated, but we strongly urge you to get vaccinated to protect yourself and others.

Students enrolled in any online or hybrid courses that have an in-person component on campus or at an off-campus location used by Georgetown for course instruction (including but not limited to students enrolled in an online nursing program who will complete an Objective Clinical Intensive (OCI)) are required to comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement, or to have an approved medical or religious exemption.

I am a student in a hybrid online/on-campus program. Do I need to be vaccinated?

Yes. Students enrolled in any online or hybrid courses that have an in-person component on campus or at an off-campus location used by Georgetown for course instruction (including but not limited to students enrolled in an online nursing program who will complete an Objective Clinical Intensive (OCI)) are required to comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement, or to have an approved medical or religious exemption. Please submit your vaccination documentation or apply for a medical or religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

I am a visiting student attending Georgetown University through the Consortium of Universities in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Do I need to be vaccinated?

Yes. If you are a student enrolled in a course or program at Georgetown that requires in-person presence, you will need to comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

I live outside the United States and have received a COVID-19 vaccine that is not authorized by the FDA or WHO. What should I do? Will I need to be re-vaccinated?

If you have received a COVID-19 vaccine that is not currently authorized by the FDA or the WHO, you will receive a deadline extension and will need to be re-vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine upon arrival on campus. Please email hoyavaxa@georgetown.edu for guidance on scheduling an appointment and receiving a deadline extension, and submit proof of your prior vaccination through the GU360 mobile app or GU360 website.

You will be able to participate in in-person activities and classes on campus while you are receiving your vaccination.

I won’t be fully vaccinated when I arrive on campus because COVID-19 vaccines are not available or widely available in my country, or to my age group. Will I have to study remotely and be unable to participate in campus activities until I am up to date? 

Please email hoyavaxa@georgetown.edu for guidance on scheduling an appointment and receiving a deadline extension. You will be able to participate in in-person activities and classes while you are in the process of being vaccinated.

I had COVID-19 and have not received the entire required series (e.g., 3 mRNA doses, or one Johnson & Johnson dose plus one additional shot) because my doctor said that was enough. Will I be considered compliant with the requirement?

This practice is not consistent with CDC guidelines, which recommend that everyone, regardless of prior infection status, be vaccinated. If you are seeking an exemption from the requirement that you receive any required additional doses, please submit a medical exemption request through Student Health (for students) and IDEAA (for faculty and staff).

Individuals who are in the process of being vaccinated will need to request a deadline extension by emailing hoyavaxa@georgetown.edu to coordinate their vaccination plan.

I need to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, but I am also due for some other vaccines. Will I be able to receive them at the same time?

Based on CDC guidance, COVID-19 vaccines may be co-administered with other vaccines without regard to timing. This includes simultaneous administration of COVID-19 and other vaccines on the same day, as well as co-administration within 14 days.

Should University community members get a seasonal influenza vaccination?

Georgetown strongly encourages University community members to get an annual seasonal influenza vaccine.

Will I know who is and who is not vaccinated?

No, in order to protect personal privacy, you will not know who has or has not been vaccinated, unless the individual discloses that information to you directly. Please do not assume that because someone is wearing a mask on campus that they are not up to date on their vaccination. Individuals may choose to wear a mask when it is not required for various reasons (e.g., they want to enhance their personal protection against being infected, have a compromised immune system, have a family member with a compromised immune system, or have a family member who cannot be vaccinated).

How will Georgetown protect my privacy?

Georgetown will continue to comply with all applicable privacy, confidentiality and public health laws relating to collection and maintenance of health-related records. The University recognizes the importance of protecting private health information and will protect faculty, student, staff and visitor privacy by limiting what sensitive information is collected, who has access to it, how it is used and how long it is retained to the extent possible while protecting public health.

Who can get tested on campus?

All students, faculty, and staff may access on-demand, free COVID-19 PCR testing via Shield T3 vending machines at the Main Campus, Medical Center, Law Center and School of Continuing Studies (locations noted here).  We strongly urge anyone with symptoms, even the most minor ones, to report their symptoms in the GU360 app and get tested.

How does the COVID-19 testing work?

Please visit Georgetown’s COVID-19 Testing Protocol web page for more information.

How do I report COVID-19 test results to the University?

The results of tests taken via a Shield T3 vending machine are automatically reported to the University, so you do not need to take any further action. All other test results must be submitted through the COVID-19 Test Result Submission Form.

If you are taking an at-home antigen test please take and include a photo of the result with your submission.

Payment for third-party testing is your responsibility.

Will students, faculty, and staff be charged for COVID-19 testing?

Georgetown will provide free COVID-19 PCR tests, available via vending machines, to students, faculty, and staff. We will also provide antigen testing kits in certain situations free of charge to students or employees. Georgetown will not cover testing conducted at other facilities, such as your primary care provider or at-home testing kits purchased in local pharmacies. Family members of live-in Georgetown faculty and staff members who reside with them on campus or who live in Georgetown-owned properties and have a Georgetown NetID and password are eligible to register with Shield T3 to receive free testing.

What is Shield T3?

The University is partnering with Shield T3 Health, a higher education COVID-19 testing service provider, to provide free on-demand saliva-based PCR tests via vending machines to the Georgetown community to support our ongoing public health efforts. This system provides our community with greater flexibility regarding when and where to test and enables the campus locations that were converted to clinical COVID-19 testing to become available again for other events and activities.

Is saliva-based COVID-19 testing as accurate as testing via nasal swab?

Yes. The saliva-based tests available on campus are PCR tests that provide the same accuracy as nasal swabs.

How do I log in to the Shield T3 portal? 

1. Go to the COVID-19 Testing Portal (which you can also access via the GU360 mobile app) and log in using your Georgetown NetID and password, using Duo two-factor identification.
2. Enter your date of birth to confirm your identity, and sign the consent form to allow your test results to be shared with Georgetown’s Public Health team. You will only need to sign the consent form once, the first time you log in. You will enter your date of birth at each login as authentication.
3. You are now registered and should see a dropdown menu of options. You can click the “Profile” tab in the dropdown menu in the top-left corner to confirm or edit your mobile phone number and local address. If you prefer, you can “enable” or “disable” receiving SMS text messages about your test results on this page.

Will Shield T3 share my COVID-19 test results with Georgetown? 

When you register as a Shield T3 user, you will need to submit a consent form authorizing Shield T3 to release your COVID-19 test results to Georgetown as part of the registration process in the COVID-19 testing portal. 

What does Shield T3 do with my COVID-19 test results?

Once you submit the consent form, your COVID-19 test results and testing administration information (e.g., dates of testing) will only be shared between Shield T3 and Georgetown, as authorized by you. Your individual information may also be shared by Shield T3 or Georgetown with testing laboratories, as necessary to perform COVID-19 testing, and with health authorities, as required by law.

Georgetown will continue to comply with all applicable privacy, confidentiality, and public health laws relating to collection and maintenance of testing and other health-related records. The University recognizes the importance of protecting private health information and will protect faculty, student, and staff privacy by limiting what sensitive information is collected, who has access to it, how it is used, and how long it is retained to the extent possible while protecting public health.

My test result report says that my sample was processed using a pooled method. What does that mean?

Pooled testing combines multiple samples in the lab, taking a portion from each sample and processing them together for an initial run. This process is more efficient and allows more tests to be run at one time. If a pool-tested batch comes back positive, each sample in the pool gets retested individually to determine which is  actually positive. If a pool-tested batch comes back negative, it means all individual samples are negative.

Can I use Shield T3 on my computer/laptop instead of my mobile phone?

Yes, you can “order” a COVID-19 test from a Shield T3 vending machine using your computer/laptop, but you will need to use your smartphone in order to retrieve the test. 

Who can I contact if I need help or have questions about Shield T3?

If you need assistance with, or have any questions about the testing process, please contact the Public Health team at carenavigators@georgetown.edu.

What is wastewater testing?

Wastewater testing is a science-based method for detecting COVID-19 levels in our community through the sewage system. People who are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 shed viral material through their feces, even before they have symptoms (which for many people is the first trigger to test), so wastewater testing can serve as an early warning signal of rising levels and allow us to more rapidly take public health measures in case of an outbreak. Another benefit is that it is an unobtrusive method of population-health level testing. Universities and state and local governments are expanding this capability for monitoring throughout the United States.

Where are we testing wastewater on campus?

We are conducting wastewater testing at approximately two dozen locations on our three campuses, which have been selected to represent residence halls and other heavily used buildings. This will allow us to monitor transmission across the University and in specific locations on campus.

What will the University do if wastewater testing indicates that viral levels are high?

Wastewater will be sampled twice weekly. If there are increasing or persistent medium or high viral levels across the University or in specific locations, the University may implement temporary measures, such as enhanced testing or masking, which may be tailored to specific populations on campus. We will provide updates to Georgetown community members as needed.

Will Georgetown only test for COVID-19, or will you test for other diseases?

At this time we are only testing the wastewater for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In the future, we may consider expanding testing to other diseases  (e.g., polio, flu) as warranted by public health conditions. Any changes will be announced in advance to the Georgetown community.

Am I required to wear a mask while on campus?

Wearing a mask is optional in University-owned or operated buildings, including academic buildings, research laboratories, libraries, offices, dining facilities, residential buildings and fitness centers, with limited exceptions, including:

• Individuals must wear a mask in University health care facilities (e.g., Student Health Center, CAPS, One Medical testing sites, flu vaccination clinics).
• Individuals must wear a mask while on university-sponsored public transportation (e.g., GUTS buses, shuttles, vans).
• Individuals in, or recently released from, isolation must wear a mask for the full 10 days from the date of exposure or infection, consistent with DC Health guidance and CDC guidance.
• Individuals with exemptions or accommodation plans that include enhanced public health measures should continue to abide by those measures, as currently in place.

Everyone has the right to wear a mask whenever and wherever they wish on our campuses.

Should I wear a mask in indoor public places off campus?

As you consider your personal risk level and of those around you, you should consider wearing a mask in indoor public places, especially in busy or crowded settings, within or outside of our campuses. Wearing a properly-fitting, high-quality mask (e.g., N95, KN95) provides the wearer with substantial protection from infection, even when around others not wearing masks.

Will the University provide face masks?

Free high-quality masks continue to be available at entrances to most campus buildings. Employees may also receive masks from their departments.

What if I see a mask distribution stand on campus that needs to be restocked?

If you see empty or near-empty mask supplies at building entrances on the Main and Medical Center campuses, please contact Facilities Work Management at 202-687-3432 or submit a ticket, and the stand will be replenished. At the Law Center, please contact Facilities Management at 202-662-9330 or email lawfacilitiesmgmt@georgetown.edu for assistance.

Can I reuse a high-quality mask (e.g., N95, KN95, KF94)?

Yes, in general, a high-quality mask can be used for a total of approximately five days (i.e., 40 hours). We recommend resting it for 48 hours between uses in a paper or mesh bag and rotating it with other high-quality masks. It should be replaced sooner if it becomes wet, soiled or damaged (e.g., ear loops or nose strip become loose so that there are gaps between the mask and face).

How should I safely dispose of a high-quality (e.g., N95, KN95 or KF94) or surgical-style mask? 

You should dispose of your mask in a trash can when you are finished using it, and wash your hands.

May I ask others around me to put on a mask during our interaction (class, meeting, event)?

Anyone may request – but not require – that those around them or interacting with them wear a mask. 

If somebody requests that you wear a mask around them, you cannot ask them why, but please be considerate and try to honor their request for the short time you may be around them. 

Am I still protected if I am the only one wearing a mask in my classroom/office?

Wearing a mask offers protection to the individual wearer, even if others around are unmasked.

This protection from being infected is enhanced depending on the type of mask you wear (its ‘filtration rate’), how well-fitted it is, the setting you are in, the duration of the interaction, and the nature of the activity.

As you plan your activities and decide whether or in what situations to wear a mask, consider the following:

• Your personal risk (e.g., immunocompromised status, high-risk medical conditions),
• The type of mask you can wear (e.g., N95, surgical),
• The length of time you are spending with unmasked people,
•  The type of activity (e.g., minimal interactions, singing, yelling),
• The setting (e.g., indoors, ventilation status, proximity and density)
• The anticipated number of people you will be interacting with and your tasks/responsibilities (e.g., dining, greeting or hosting).  

You can find more information about the use and care of masks on the CDC website. The CDC also provides instructions for wearing a N95.

What is the COVID-19 symptom check-in survey? Why am I required to report on my health?

Georgetown uses information from this survey to provide health, isolation and testing guidance to anyone with symptoms or who may have had an exposure to COVID-19.

Community members are expected to stay home or in their on-campus residence if they have any symptoms, call the Student Health Center (if a student) or their health care provider, schedule a COVID-19 test, and remain home until cleared by their health care provider or after a consultation with the Care Navigator team.

I’m not feeling well, but I think it’s just allergies. What should I do?

Please stay home if you have any symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Even though many people experience seasonal allergies, if you aren’t feeling well, please don’t assume it’s because of allergies. Please report your symptoms to the Public Health team by completing the COVID-19 Symptom Check-In survey, and get tested.

Are in-person events allowed on campus?

Event organizers, meeting hosts and visitors must follow the University’s visitor vaccination requirement and process. The University may limit capacity in certain large indoor venues at any time (e.g., Gaston Hall, McDonough Arena). Please visit the University’s Event and Visitor Guidelines page for more information.

Are visitors allowed on campus?

Yes. To protect the health and safety of the Georgetown community, visitors to University-owned or operated buildings in the United States must have received a primary series and, when eligible, an additional dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, or attest to having a medical or religious exemption.

Visitors will need to follow the University’s protocol for verifying their vaccination status and complete a health attestation on the morning of their visit to attest that they are symptom-free. 

Please visit the Event and Visitor Guidelines page for more information about the visitor registration process, public health guidance for events, and reserving event space on our campuses.

What should I do if I have not received information from my host ahead of my visit to campus?

Please contact your host and ask them to send you an event/meeting-specific link to be used for your visit to campus.

How soon before my visit to campus can I complete this process?

You will be able to submit your vaccination documentation or attest to having a medical/religious exemption as soon as your campus host provides you with the link for your event/meeting. We encourage all visitors to complete this process as soon as possible once you receive a link from your host. You will not be able to complete the final step in the process (health symptom attestation) until the morning of your visit to campus.

Do I need to bring my vaccine documentation with me when visiting campus?

As long as you have successfully completed the process outlined in the Event and Visitor Guidelines and receive an email confirming you are approved to visit campus, you do not need to carry your vaccination documentation with you. If you are unable to upload your vaccination documentation in advance of your visit, you will need to bring vaccination documentation to campus. It is possible that other venues in the District of Columbia may ask to see proof of vaccination, so it is always good to carry it with you when traveling.

What should I do if I am hosting a multi-day event (i.e., two or more consecutive days) on campus with visitors?

Students, faculty or staff hosting a multi-day event in a University-owned or operated building may choose to create one event/meeting record for their event or separate event/meeting records for each session of their multi-day event. Visitors only need to submit a health attestation form once for a multi-day event. However, hosts should instruct visitors that they should stay home, not attend the rest of the event and notify their host if they develop symptoms at any time during a multi-day event.

Can a visitor register for an event/meeting on the day of the event/meeting?

While we strongly encourage hosts to make sure visitors register for their event/meeting prior to their visit, hosts may share this same-day visitor registration form with visitors who are not able to submit their vaccination documentation in advance. To assist with completing the registration form, hosts should instruct their visitors on which campus location and host name to enter for their event or meeting. Visitors will need to provide their contact information, submit their vaccination documentation or attest to having a medical or religious exemption or being under the age of 12, and complete a health attestation. 

What should I do if I have not been vaccinated and cannot attest to a medical or religious exemption for not receiving a COVID-19 vaccine?

Please discuss with your host alternative ways to complete your visit. This may include doing your visit via Zoom or delaying to a future point in time.

Who should I contact if I have any questions?

Please first contact your event host or campus point of contact. If you have technical questions about how to complete the visitor vaccination process, please contact visitors@georgetown.edu.

I would like to reserve space in a tent, how do I do that?

To reserve a tent on the Main Campus, please visit eventmanagement.georgetown.edu and click on the link for the guide to reserving tents. Direct any questions to eventmanagement@georgetown.edu. At the Law Center, please complete this form (for room selection choose “outside space”); email lawscheduling@georgetown.edu with any questions.

Will Shield T3 share my COVID-19 test results with Georgetown?

When you register as a Shield T3 user, you will need to submit a consent form authorizing Shield T3 to release your COVID-19 test results to Georgetown as part of the registration process in the COVID-19 testing portal.

What does Shield T3 do with my COVID-19 test results?

Once you submit the consent form, your COVID-19 test results and testing administration information (e.g., dates of testing) will only be shared between Shield T3 and Georgetown, as authorized by you. Your individual information may also be shared by Shield T3 or Georgetown with testing laboratories, as necessary to perform COVID-19 testing, and with health authorities, as required by law.

Georgetown will continue to comply with all applicable privacy, confidentiality, and public health laws relating to collection and maintenance of testing and other health-related records. The University recognizes the importance of protecting private health information and will protect faculty, student, and staff privacy by limiting what sensitive information is collected, who has access to it, how it is used, and how long it is retained to the extent possible while protecting public health.

What COVID-19 testing information is Georgetown required to report?

Under federal, state, and local law, Georgetown University is required to report your test results along with certain demographic information about you (age, race, ethnicity, sex) as Georgetown performs COVID-19 testing through its own laboratory. This information is reported by Georgetown to the appropriate local health authorities, such as DC Health, the Virginia Department of Health and the Maryland Department of Health, which are then responsible for reporting this information, in a way that doesn’t identify you individually, to the federal government. As federal and local health authorities maintain and use this information about you, they are required to maintain your privacy, except as permitted by law. Individual-level data is necessary for outbreak detection, rapid implementation of emergency measures, and identification of trends that require a strategic public health response.

What is the procedure for students isolating in their campus residence after a positive COVID-19 test?

Students isolating in their campus residences will need to:

• Stay in their room, and not leave except to use the restroom, get tested, get medical care or pick up their meals.
• Wear a properly-fitting, high-quality mask (e.g., N95, KN95, KF94) when around other individuals while completing the activities outlined above or while in their shared residence.

Students may visit Georgetown’s Isolation Support site for more information and resources.

My roommate is isolating in our campus residence. What should I do?

We recommend that students:

• Wear a properly-fitting, high-quality mask (e.g., N95, KN95) when around their roommates in their residences.
• Stay in their own bedrooms with their doors closed, if possible, when in their campus residence.
• Avoid entering the bathroom when others are present, if possible.
• Disinfect the bathroom and kitchen as often as possible.
• Eat in separate rooms, if possible, or in the outdoor tents on campus.
• Avoid sharing personal items.

Who will be required to isolate?

Isolation is required for all individuals who have a confirmed positive COVID-19 test result or are otherwise diagnosed with COVID-19 by a health professional even if your test result is negative.

Visit the Isolation and Precautions page for Georgetown’s policies and procedures for COVID-19 isolation.

I am up to date on my COVID-19 vaccination, have no symptoms, but tested positive on a required test. Do I still have to go into isolation?

Students, faculty and staff who receive a positive PCR test, even if asymptomatic, must follow Georgetown’s isolation protocol.

I tested positive by PCR, got re-tested and received a negative subsequent test. Was the first test a false positive? Must I continue to isolate?

It is unlikely that your first test was a false positive. PCR tests are considered the gold standard of diagnostic COVID-19 tests, and the PCR test we use is very sensitive. When test results come back “positive,” this means that the test has detected genetic material from the virus that causes COVID-19, since the test is very specific to this particular virus.

Individuals may receive different test results for a variety of reasons, including taking different types of COVID-19 tests (e.g., PCR, antigen) and different methods of collection (i.e., nasal swab versus saliva test, or self-collection versus collection by a healthcare provider). Receiving different PCR test results on consecutive days can happen for different reasons and usually has to do with where you are in the infection cycle and your vaccination status. PCR tests’ accuracy often depends on when someone is tested—early in the infection cycle or later in the infection cycle, the viral particles may be lower or even undetected.

Anyone who receives a positive PCR test, even if asymptomatic, even if up to date on vaccination, and even if they receive a subsequent negative test, must complete isolation in accordance with University and DC Health guidelines.

I have COVID-19. What treatment options are available?

There are oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 for individuals at high risk for complications. If you are infected, please talk to your doctor about available treatments and your eligibility.

What happens if there is a positive case in a course I am teaching or enrolled in?

If you are notified of a positive case in a course you are teaching or enrolled in, please follow the guidance below regarding potential exposure.

What should I do if I’ve been exposed, or potentially exposed, to someone with COVID-19?

In line with CDC guidance, please take the following actions:

• Wear a mask around others for ten days after the potential exposure. 
• Get tested five days after your most recent exposure.
• Stay home and get tested if you develop symptoms. Please report your symptoms to the Public Health team by completing the COVID-19 Symptom Check-In survey. If you receive a positive test result from a third-party provider (i.e., not from a Shield T3 test) or at-home antigen test, please report your result through the COVID-19 Test Result Submission form.

I have unvaccinated or vulnerable family or household members. How can I protect them? 

If you consistently adhere to public health prevention measures, the risk of you transmitting the virus is low.

General guidance for protecting unvaccinated or vulnerable family members includes:

1. Get vaccinated yourself, and become up to date on your vaccination as soon as you are eligible.
2. Ensure everyone else in the household who can get vaccinated (6 months old and above), does and has received all doses they are eligible for.
3. Wear a properly fitting, high-quality mask (e.g., N95, KN95, KF94) whenever you are around others indoors or in crowded outdoor settings. 
4. If you want to eat or drink (and thus take the mask off), limit it to a setting/location where you can be alone or outside.
5. If you have symptoms, wear a mask around others, including family members, and get tested. You can get tested on campus, at no cost to you. You should isolate and avoid contact with your vulnerable household member, if possible.
6. Even without symptoms, if you are concerned, get tested frequently. You can get tested on campus as often as you wish, at no cost to you.
7. Practice all other prevention measures consistently (e.g., hand washing, avoiding crowded settings, social distancing, etc.)
8. Modify your activities to participate only in those with the lowest risk (avoid gyms, indoor restaurants, etc.).

What happens if there is significant community transmission of COVID-19?

Georgetown’s public health protocols are subject to change based on campus, local, and national public health conditions and new guidance from local and federal authorities. Any updates will be communicated to the University community and will be posted on Georgetown’s COVID-19 Resource Center website.

Georgetown will monitor for cases of COVID-19 among the University community. Increased numbers and rates of cases in the University community could trigger changes in University operations to help address the rise in cases, including reinstating an indoor mask requirement, using different education modalities and implementing other enhanced mitigation activities.

Should I be concerned about attending large social events or traveling?

Please consider community transmission and your own personal circumstances when making decisions about whether, and how, to attend large social events or travel. You may consider getting tested before and after attending events or traveling, and wearing a properly-fitting, high-quality mask (e.g., N95, KN95) while around others in crowded settings.

What factors should I consider when making such decisions for myself and others?

As you plan your activities and assess your risk, consider the following:

• Your personal risk (e.g., immunocompromised status, high-risk medical conditions),
• Your vaccination status (you’re most protected when up to date with your vaccination),
• The type of mask you can wear (e.g., N95, surgical),
• The length of time you are spending with unmasked people, or in an area of high transmission,
• The type of activity (e.g., minimal interactions, singing, yelling),
• The setting (e.g., indoors, ventilation status, proximity to others and density),
• The anticipated number of people you will be interacting with and your tasks/responsibilities (e.g., dining, greeting or hosting).

How is Georgetown notifying community members of positive COVID-19 cases?

On the first business day of each week, the University updates the COVID-19 Dashboard and notifies the community of the prior week’s testing results of positive cases of individuals affiliated with the university through a public health alert. To receive the public health alert, subscribe to Daily COVID-19 Updates.

What is the university doing to improve air systems across campus?

Planning & Facilities Management is working to minimize the spread of viruses through the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, among other measures. Our ongoing HVAC assessment and enhancement program will ensure that all classrooms and study spaces meet CDC COVID-19 guidance and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards for mitigation of virus transmission.

Working with a team of professional engineers and contractors, University personnel are evaluating, upgrading and monitoring the performance of the ventilation systems that provide temperature control and ventilation air that flushes contaminants from the classrooms, study rooms and common spaces within the University buildings. The work of this team ensured the University is: 

1. Identifying existing equipment condition and working to upgrade equipment operation and air filtration to meet the most current standards for space conditioning and contaminant control with each building;
2. Improving air filtration in all occupied buildings;
3. Working with the operation teams to improve and sustain the HVAC systems in every building across our Main, Med, and Law campuses;
4. Developing a monitoring and maintenance strategy to confirm continuing operation of building systems in compliance with current good engineering practices; and,
5. Establishing, based on current operating conditions in each building and each approved space, a maximum safe occupancy for that space that complies with the University program for re-occupying buildings.

Upgrades to the building ventilation systems include MERV-13 air filtration for occupied spaces, installation of ultraviolet decontamination systems and building air flushing strategies to reduce airborne transmission.

Should I be concerned about a higher risk of infection if I cannot open the windows or do not have windows in my classroom?

No, you should not. Using the HVAC systems to provide proper ventilation and filtration is a much more reliable method for minimizing the spread of airborne diseases, while ensuring a comfortable environment for occupants.

Reliance on open windows to provide adequate ventilation within a space is not practical given the Washington, DC climate. Opening windows during non-ideal weather conditions can lead to a loss of temperature and/or humidity control within the space, which can have a negative effect on overall indoor air quality and occupant comfort. Using the HVAC systems to provide proper ventilation and filtration is a much more reliable method for minimizing the spread of airborne diseases, while ensuring a comfortable environment for occupants.

Can COVID-19 be transmitted through the HVAC systems?

Per CDC COVID-19 guidance, the risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 through HVAC systems is thought to be relatively low, however, the exact risk is not well-known at this time. The CDC recommends the use of a layered strategy to reduce exposure, which includes increased filtration, adequate ventilation, the use of masks and proper hand hygiene.

What factors does Georgetown consider when making decisions about its public health guidelines?

Georgetown University takes many factors into consideration before any COVID-19 policies are made or changed. Our Public Health team regularly monitors multiple sources of data including, but not limited to, CDC and DC Health guidance and statistics, community transmission in the DC region, the University’s test positivity rate, rate of increase in cases and isolation data that inform any recommendations. The data sources include:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance,
• DC Department of Health guidance,
• Local government mandates and school closures,
• Medical literature and scientific publications,
• Community transmission in the DC area,
• University test positivity rate,
• Parameters related to the University’s status as a “congregate setting,” where transmissibility is enhanced due to the nature of congregate living,
• Vaccination status/efficacy (i.e., rates of vaccinations in the community and scientific data about the vaccines’ efficacy and/or waning immunity),
• Variant characteristics (e.g., transmissibility, infectiousness, and disease characteristics of new variants),
• Behaviors associated with positive cases determined through contact tracing (e.g., social gatherings, non-masked situations, travel, and frequently visited sites), and
• At-risk groups (e.g., the number of unvaccinated individuals, older community members, and medically vulnerable community members).

Has the University received funding under any federal COVID relief legislation?

Yes – please visit the University’s CARES Act, CRRSAA and ARP overview pages for more information.