COVID-19 Updates
Be well. Be prepared.
Last updated: August 2022
We know there is no way to ensure full protection from COVID-19, but we are in this together. Students, staff, and faculty have all stepped up to take vital prevention measures seriously and slow the spread of COVID-19. We welcome residents and guests to join our continued commitment to the health and safety of everyone on campus. Visit the Safe Campus website for more details.
Please note
Masks are not required inside University-owned facilities (except for certain environments). Individuals are welcome to wear a mask if they wish, but residents and guests will no longer be required to wear masks in our residence halls and apartments unless they are completing isolation on campus.
What should I do?
Helpful steps and resources for students living in on-campus housing. More on Isolation.
We strongly encourage you to get tested for COVID-19 either through Boynton Health or another testing location to confirm whether or not you have COVID-19.
Do not go to in-person classes, work, fitness centers, dining halls, or social gatherings until you feel well. Have a friend bring you food (or only get orders to go) and minimize interactions with people outside of your room until you can be tested. If you test negative, stay in your room until your symptoms resolve.
If you test positive, follow the instructions in the I just tested positive for COVID-19 accordion.
You should isolate and follow public health guidance.
Take the following steps
- Inform your individual close contacts that they may have been exposed and should seek testing including (if applicable) your roommates.
- Review Boynton Health's COVID FAQ to project how long you will need to isolate.
- Decide whether you will isolate on campus or off campus.
- If you do not share a bedroom, you can isolate in your own space. You should only leave your bedroom to use the bathroom, obtain or prepare food, or seek medical attention. You must wear an N95-type mask whenever you leave your bedroom and keep as much distance as possible from others when outside of your bedroom. Our Information Desks have N95-type masks available if you do not have a supply.
- If you share a bedroom with someone else who also tests positive, you may stay in your room.
- If you share a bedroom with someone else who is not positive, you and your roommate should discuss if one of you has another place to stay for a few days (for example, a friend or family member who lives nearby). If neither of you has an alternative space available, the person needing isolation should contact their building's Information Desk or the staff person on duty to see if an emergency space on campus is available. (Please note: You may need to go to another residence hall/apartment building to access an emergency space.)
Contact your healthcare provider or Boynton Health for any medical questions related to isolation.
Close contact is defined as being within six feet of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more while they were infectious. You may be informed by the person directly, or through the State of Minnesota COVID Aware App.
Take the following steps
- Review Boynton Health's COVID FAQ, and contact your healthcare provider or Boynton Health for any medical questions
- Review the CDC's guidance.
- Wear a high quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 6.
Health and Safety
Community health remains a top priority. Maintaining your vaccination status, wearing masks, testing, and practicing other healthy behaviors are pivotal to reducing the spread of COVID-19. It is up to each of us to continue to take precautions to keep our community safe and reduce transmission on campus.
The University requires students to complete the Get the Vax registration process. All students are also asked to get a booster shot.
Students can contact Boynton Health to schedule an appointment at one of their locations (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
The University's Face Covering Protocol no longer requires faculty, staff, students, or visitors to wear a face mask while indoors (with notable exceptions). Individuals can choose to continue wearing masks even though they are not required.
Masks available
Members of our community can continue to use cloth masks following university guidance. N95-type masks are available in limited supplies at our HRL Information Desks.
We remind all residents to be respectful of one another, as well as campus locations and off-campus city ordinances/private business policies which may require mask usage.
All campus health and safety efforts will be based on the most current science as well as guidance from federal, state, and local health authorities. Visit the Safe Campus website for more information.
In addition to COVID-19, there will likely be members of our community with common colds, influenza, or other illnesses. Remind yourself and others to slow the spread of coronavirus and other illnesses by practicing good health habits:
- Seek a COVID-19 test if you have been exposed to someone with a verified case, or if you have symptoms.
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
- Clean high-touch areas in your room or apartment.
- Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Get adequate rest and eat well.
- Stay home if you are sick. Self-isolate and contact Boynton Health or another healthcare provider for guidance.
Mental health resources exist for students, staff, and faculty and we strongly encourage you to use them when you believe helpful.
Students in Isolation are not allowed to consume food in the dining halls. Students in isolation must coordinate their own food until their isolation period is completed (for example, using the M Food Co. “To Go” program and asking a friend to drop off their food).
Isolation-
Separation from others for a period of time is an important additional step in breaking the chain of community transmission of contagious diseases. Isolation separates people who have tested positive for COVID-19 from others. Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of unvaccinated people who were exposed to COVID-19 to see if they become sick.
Note: N95 type face masks are still expected for individuals who are completing isolation on campus whenever you are outside of your bedroom.
If a resident needs to complete isolation on campus, they will either stay in their own space or request the use of an emergency space.
If you need to use an emergency space, we recommend students bring enough supplies for up to 10 days. See our packing list for more suggestions.
Staying In Your Space
During your isolation, you must remain out of public places. This includes lounges, lobbies, study spaces, the information desk, hallways, and other common areas. The only reason to leave your space is to go to your assigned bathroom, to be tested for COVID-19, to retrieve food or critical packages, or to go to a critical medical appointment. N95 type masks are required at all times you are outside of your isolation space.
Do not interact with others in person. People with active COVID-19 need to physically separate from others to ensure mutual health and safety. You should not use public transportation or ride-sharing.
Deliveries
If a package arrives that you need before ending isolation, you need to wear an N95-type mask to and from the pickup location. You should not linger in any public spaces.
If you are not feeling well and concerned about possible exposure to COVID-19, we strongly encourage you to get tested for COVID-19 either at Boynton Health or another testing location to confirm whether or not you have COVID-19.
Minimize interactions with people until you can be tested.
- You should be tested at least 5 days after the day you were exposed and watch for symptoms.
Wear a mask for 10 days from exposure or until test results come back negative. Our Information Desks have N95 type masks available if you do not have a supply.
You do not need to isolate unless you develop symptoms or receive a positive test result.
If you are up-to-date with your vaccinations, meaning having complete series AND a booster or have had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days:
- You should be tested at least 5 days after the day you were exposed and watch for symptoms.
- Wear a mask for 10 days from exposure or until test results come back negative.
- You do not need to quarantine unless you develop symptoms or receive a positive test result.
Schedule a COVID-19 test 5 days from the point of exposure.
There are many people here to answer your questions or help.
- During business hours, you can reach out to the Residence Director or Business Operations Supervisor (BOS) of the building.
- On evenings and weekends, you can reach out to the CA or HS on Duty
- Information Desks are open 24 hours a day (our Contact Us webpage has the phone number and email for your building.
Health Support
If you have a thermometer, take your temperature daily and keep track of it. Generally, anything over 100.4F/38C would indicate a fever. It will be important to know when your fever subsides.
If your symptoms worsen or you have other health concerns, please call Boynton's nurse line at 612-625-7900 for further instructions (or your personal healthcare provider). Call 911 for emergency transportation to a hospital.
Boynton Health is the University's on-campus medical provider. Its services include urgent care, pharmacy services, and mental health.
Respecting Mask Usage
Mask usage is common around the world to prevent illnesses from COVID-19 to common colds. While indoor masking is no longer required at the University of Minnesota, some individuals are likely to continue wearing masks for a number of reasons. Remind yourself and others to respect mask usage and to slow the spread of coronavirus and other illnesses by practicing good health habits.
Disease does not discriminate. Xenophobia, racism, and other forms of bias are not tolerated. We will not tolerate any bias or intimidation towards individuals who continue to wear masks.
Our Behavioral Standards reflect a respect for the rights and responsibilities of all community members. If you experience harassment or discrimination, reach out to your Community Advisor or your building’s Residence Director. You can also report to the Bias Response and Referral Network.
