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’s emergency management to respond if conditions require university operations to adapt.
A one-column table with drop-down category options for students
How to Protect Yourself
Keep current on COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. Visit Vaccinate Virginia for local vaccination sites in the Commonwealth or Vaccines.gov for sites nationwide.
Monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.
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. Masks are required in the Student Health Center.
Disinfect personal areas such as residence hall rooms and bathrooms, phones, keyboards, desks and offices frequently.
COVID-19 tests are available in the Sadler Center vending machine using W&M Express funds.
The Williamsburg Regional Library is distributing free COVID-19 test kits (limit two per person) without a library card. Visit WRL for information.
The U.S. federal government is no longer mailing free at-home COVID-19 tests, but offers other resources for free tests. Visit Covid.gov/tests for information.
All residential students at William & Mary receive a free rapid test at the beginning of the fall 2022 semester.
Contact your medical provider.
If You Are a Close Contact
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 Quarantine & Isolation Guide and Calculator for information.
Vaccinated students do not need to quarantine if they remain asymptomatic.
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 are strongly encouraged to return home to complete their five-day isolation. William & Mary does not provide dedicated isolation housing.
In extenuating circumstances, 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.
The 2-3 days before a person exhibits symptoms is the period in which infectiousness is highest. Visit the CDC’s Quarantine & Isolation Guide and Calculator for determine when to test.
Questions? Text COVID Connect
W&M COVID Connect is a free, optional, text-based service that links service providers with William & Mary students to help them navigate a diagnosis of COVID-19. While they do not manage cases nor trace contacts, W&M providers can help students find resources and information they need:
COVID-19 tests
Isolation guidance for campus housing and off-campus
Medical care
Meals
Class absences or remote coursework
Academic supports
To connect, send SMS (text) message to 757-760-3200. You can message at any time. Live service providers are available during these hours but will respond to all inquiries.
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.
