Spring 2023 Health and Safety Protocols

Note: More recent COVID-19-related communication may supersede information in this announcement. See Updated Spring 2023 Health and Safety Protocols.

January 11, 2023

Rutgers Community Members:

Happy new year to everyone—I hope that you had a restful semester break.

The university continues to monitor all relevant health and safety issues, specifically COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Influenza (Flu), and I want to remind you of the important health and safety protocols that remain in effect across the university.

COVID-19 Vaccine and boosters: All students and employees who have not been granted a health or religious exemption are required to be fully vaccinated, to obtain a booster when eligible, and to upload proof of vaccination and boosters to the vaccine portals:  See Updated Spring 2023 Health and Safety Protocols.
Student vaccine portal 
Faculty and Staff vaccine portal

Face Coverings: Face coverings are not required in academic or administrative settings. Wearing a face covering is required of all faculty, staff, students, and visitors in all clinical settings.[See Updated Spring 2023 Health and Safety Protocols in Clinical Settings.] While masking is optional in academic and administrative settings, we do encourage it.

Testing for Non-vaccinated Students and Employees: Students and employees with medical or religious waivers from the COVID-19 vaccine requirement must continue to test once per week using self-administered rapid tests and upload their results to https://rtr.ipo.rutgers.edu/questionnaire/.  See Updated Spring 2023 Health and Safety Protocols.

Test Kit Availability: Testing kits for COVID-19 continue to be available through vending machines that are located on all campuses. All students, irrespective of vaccine waiver status, may avail themselves of up to two tests per week at no cost. Faculty and staff are entitled to free test kits and can order them at https://www.covid.gov/tests.  See Updated Spring 2023 Health and Safety Protocols.

The university strongly suggests that before returning to campus, all community members utilize these free kits and test for COVID-19.

Wishing you a very successful and safe semester,

Antonio M. Calcado
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer