The goal of Worcester State’s Safe Campus planning is to protect the health of the campus–and the broader–community, while enabling students to progress toward their educational goals. Current protocols are subject to change as conditions evolve and we receive further guidance from federal, state, and city health officials. Worcester State is eager to welcome students back to campus as safely as possible.
Updated: January 13, 2022
Worcester State will continue to be mask optional throughout most of the campus. However, as a mask-friendly campus we encourage mask wearing as a proven and effective tool in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
As with all health care settings in Massachusetts, masks will continue to be required when visiting:
Masks will be available based on supply to all members of the Worcester State community at the Student Center Information Desk.
Sanitation carts on the first floor of lower campus buildings will be stocked with COVID-19 self-test kits and sanitizing wipes.
All members of the campus community are required to be fully vaccinated with an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine or to have an approved waiver on file.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), defines “fully vaccinated” as two weeks after the primary COVID-19 vaccine series is completed.
Students may request religious and medical exemptions by submitting the vaccination and immunization waiver form found on the Health Services web page (under the Forms & Requirements section). Any questions concerning the student waiver process should be directed to Student Health Services at 508-929-8875 or health_services@worcester.edu.
If employees require a medical or religious waiver, please contact Employee Services at hr@worcester.edu or by phone 508-929-8117.
Worcester State will not be offering routine weekly surveillance testing for the 2023 spring semester, however continual monitoring of health for symptoms is encouraged on a daily basis.
Worcester State will follow the updated guidance from public health officials on quarantine after exposure to COVID-19 and isolation protocols. Additional information on quarantine guidelines and isolation can be found here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/if-you-were-exposed.html https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-isolation-and-exposure-guidance-for-the-general-public
If you test positive for COVID-19, you are required to self-isolate regardless of vaccination status. Residential students will receive additional information outlining on campus isolation protocols.
Free rapid test kits will be available to the Worcester State community at the following campus locations:
Test kits will be refreshed at the above-listed locations weekly based on supply.
