Office of Human Resources

COVID Guidance for Faculty and Staff

End of Public Health Emergency

The federal government has ended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration, meaning COVID-19 surveillance testing, contact tracing and COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters are no longer a requirement. In alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Brandeis University has ceased our COVID-19 contact tracing efforts. Updated May 11, 2023.

COVID Vaccination Recommendations 

COVID-19 vaccine recommendations have been updated to recommend adults ages 65 years and over receive an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Brandeis COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Updated February 28, 2024

Illness Management

The CDC advises that COVID be managed similarly to other viral respiratory illnesses. Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have symptoms of common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others. Updated March 1, 2024.

If you test positive for COVID-19 or believe you have a viral respiratory illness:

You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:

  • Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
  • You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.

Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.

If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED INDIVIDUALS

Other Questions?

The following resources are available to you if you have specific questions or concerns: