COVID-19 is one of the many illnesses that the university helps students and employees manage on a daily basis. The Public Health Advisory Team has partnered with W&M emergency management to respond if conditions require university operations to adapt.
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How to Protect Yourself
Keep current on COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. Visit Vaccines.gov for sites nationwide.
Maintain good hygiene, including handwashing and use of hand sanitizer.
Wear a mask over the nose and mouth. Masking is always welcome anywhere at William & Mary, and the last few years have clearly shown that masks dramatically reduce the spread of airborne infections, including COVID-19.
Disinfect personal areas such as residence hall rooms and bathrooms, phones, keyboards, desks and offices frequently.
Do not attend work, class or gatherings if you are sick.
Test if you suspect COVID-19. Tests are available at retail pharmacies or through your medical provider, and free through Williamsburg Regional Library. The federal government has relaunched its free COVID-19 test program. Up to four free tests may be ordered per household/address. Visit covid.gov/tests for more information or to place an order.
If you are advised by the Virginia Department of Health that you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or someone you know has tested positive and you meet the definition of a close contact, the next steps depend on your vaccination status. William & Mary no longer conducts contact tracing. Visit the CDC’s Isolation and Exposure Calculator for information.
Vaccinated students do not need to quarantine if they remain asymptomatic.
The CDC calls for any COVID-19-positive person to isolate for at least five days. Visit the CDC's Isolation and Exposure Calculator for more information.
Students who test positive should complete their five-day isolation at home or off campus if that is feasible. W&M does not coordinate dedicated COVID-19 quarantine or isolation housing.
In extenuating circumstances, residential students who are unable to return home must isolate in their room for the five days, attending class remotely if possible and if they feel well enough to do so. Otherwise, they should partner with professors to arrange being out sick for the duration of your isolation period. Visit Academic Resources & Support.
Students in isolation must continue to wear a mask at all times in shared spaces to the extent they are able, including shared bathrooms and residence hall rooms.
Isolating students may leave their rooms to pick up to-go items from dining halls or campus retail dining locations, to pick up prescriptions or obtain medical care. They should wear a mask, practice social distancing and limit outings as much as possible.
If Your Roommate or Intimate Partner Tests Positive
Residential students who test positive for COVID-19 should complete their five-day isolation at home or off campus if that is feasible.
Residential students who are unable to return home isolate in their room for five days. They should wear a mask if they go out to pick up to-go meals or prescriptions or to seek medical care.
If they remain in a residence hall, they should wear a mask in all shared spaces, including shared bathrooms and residential rooms.
You are also highly encouraged to wear a mask in spaces you share with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Academic Resources & Support
William & Mary students who are isolating with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis have academic support resources available to help remain current with their coursework. This guide can help students navigate available resources to maintain health, wellness and academic success.
