COVID-19 Information

As a member of the MGH Institute Health Professions community, you Commit to do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19 in all aspects of your life – personal, professional, and societal.

Despite changing mask policies in Spring 2022, students, faculty, and staff must continue to complete the COVID PASS prior to arrival on campus or at any MGB site. It provides an easy-to-use dashboard where you can complete your daily attestation, schedule COVID-19 testing, add/remove Epic consent, access the return to work portal, and view vaccine records/ notifications.

View the Pass Tip Sheet in Pulse.

COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 Information for Students, Faculty and Staff

Vaccinations

All IHP faculty, staff, and students must receive [1] a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot by March 1, 2022 if they completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine series (Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson) before August 1, 2021. Those who completed their primary vaccine series on or after August 1, 2021 must receive a booster shot by June 30, 2022.

Students

All Institute students in academic programs scheduled to be on campus are required to submit their proof of COVID-19 vaccination into their Complio account. In addition, students are required to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. For guidance on how to populate your Complio account, visit the IHP’s Immunization and Certification page [2].

Students in need of a COVID-19 vaccine/booster can utilize:

MGB COVID Pass: After completing a daily asymptomatic attestation survey through COVID Pass [3], students can proceed with scheduling their appointment at an MGB affiliated location.
Mass.gov: Students can use the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Finder [4] to find a convenient vaccination location.

Noncompliant students will:

Lose access to D2L (learning management system),
Not be able to participate in clinical placements, and
Not be able to attend class on campus.

Faculty/Staff

Vaccines are required of all employees unless you have a religious or medical exemption. In addition, faculty and staff are required to receive their booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have questions about the vaccine or want to discuss your vaccine concerns, MGB has developed guidance to help answer questions [5].

The IHP community can schedule COVID-19 Testing (symptomatic and asymptomatic), as well as COVID-19 vaccination booster doses, through the COVID Pass app [6] and Patient Gateway. Employees who need to submit vaccine documentation to meet compliance OR wish to submit COVID-19 Booster Documentation received at a non-MGB institution can email proof of vaccination to Occupational Health System Services [7].

Whether you were vaccinated at a Mass General Brigham site or elsewhere, you must submit attestation or documentation. All new hires must receive vaccination clearance to work from MGH Occupational Health, which includes validation of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The quickest, easiest way to get a COVID-19 booster shot is in your local community; many sites, including CVS and Walgreens, offer free booster shots. You can search vaccines.gov [8] to find a location near you. You can also text your zip code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find a location. Mass General Brigham is also offering booster shots to employees who are eligible per the CDC’s recommendation. Eligible employees may schedule their booster shot appointment at a Mass General Brigham location via COVID Pass [6].

Exemption Request Process

Medical exemption: those who seek a medical exemption due to medical contraindications (e.g., a previous severe or immediate allergic reaction to a vaccine or the components of a COVID-19) must complete an exemption form [9]and provide documentation from a qualified health care provider that will be subject to review by Occupational Health.
Religious exemption: those who seek a religious exemption due to sincerely held religious beliefs must complete an exemption form that will be subject to review by Human Resources. Documentation may be required. Email Vanessa Desrochers [10] for guidance on this process.

Requiring vaccination as a condition of employment has been demonstrated to be necessary to achieve the highest levels of workforce vaccination and increase safety for all workforce members, patients, and visitors to health care settings.

Testing and Health

Be honest with yourself. If you have symptoms, get tested. Regardless of your vaccination status, if you have symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and get tested. Using COVID Pass, you can access testing for any reason [11]. Testing is free of charge and there are many locations available to you. If you develop symptoms, infection with COVID-19, or an exposure, follow the Return to Work For Employees During the COVID-19 Pandemic Policy [12]on Pulse.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 must refrain from coming to campus and should contact MGH Occupational Health Services (617-726-2217; when prompted, students should press option 3) for assessment, testing (if appropriate), and guidance on return to campus.

Students: What to Do if You've Been Exposed to COVID-19

I Have a Confirmed Exposure or am Experiencing Symptoms

When able, notify your academic advisor or member of your program staff
Contact MGH Occupational Health Services (OHS) at 617-726-2217; when prompted, students should press option 3
1. Identify yourself as an IHP student
2. MGH OHS will assess your symptoms and/or possible exposure status to advise you on next steps.

General guidance regarding exposures:

If asymptomatic non-household exposure, you can continue work/school but testing by NAAT/PCR is strongly encouraged no sooner than 2 days after exposure.
If asymptomatic household exposure, an initial negative COVID Test (NAAT) is required before coming on campus.
If symptomatic, MGH OHS will help you schedule testing at an MGB facility. If tested elsewhere, you will be required to submit the results to MGH OHS.
- COVID-19 Symptoms and a Negative NAAT PCR Test Result after Symptoms lasting > 5 days [13]
- COVID-19 Symptoms and a Negative NAAT PCR Test Result after Symptoms lasting 5 days or less [14]

In all instances, MGH OHS will advise students on the appropriate steps for being cleared to return to campus and clinical placements.

Exposure is defined as: ≥15 cumulative minutes of face-to-face contact, within 6 feet with a confirmed or presumed case of COVID-19 starting from 2 calendar days prior to symptom onset or, in setting of asymptomatic infection, starting 2 calendar days prior to test collection.

I Have Tested Positive (NAAT/Molecular Test)

If your COVID test was conducted at an MGB location, you should expect a call from MGH Occupational Health Services (OHS) within 24 hours of documentation of a positive test. If your COVID test was conducted at a non-MGB location, you should submit your results to OHS at PHSOHSCOVID19@partners.org [15].

OHS will conduct an interview for the purposes of on-campus contact tracing.

You can return to school/work earlier than the standard 10-day isolation period using at-home antigen testing no sooner than 5 days after your positive test collection date, or onset of symptoms, whichever is later. Once you meet the Return to Work criteria [16], you may return to on-site work without calling Occupational Health Services.

Additional Resources

More details can be found on:

The COVID-19 Assessment and Testing Page [17]

Faculty/Staff: What to Do if You've Been Exposed to COVID-19

COVID-19 Exposure and No Symptoms

Exposures may occur in the workplace or public health authorities may also identify exposures outside of the workplace. Household exposures occur when someone living in your household or spending continuous time in your household (for example, a relative or other individual regularly in your household helping you to care for children; this does not apply to single contact), is diagnosed with COVID-19 and you spent ≥ 15 cumulative minutes of face-to-face contact, within 6 feet of them.

As long as you remain asymptomatic, your next steps depend on if the exposure was from an infected person in your household (a “household” exposure) or other exposure. See MGB's Next Steps and Return to Work [18].

I am Experiencing Symptoms

This guidance applies to all employees, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

Do not go to work. Notify your manager that you are experiencing symptoms and you need to stay out of work. You can work remotely if able and approved by your manager.
Get a COVID-19 test. Arrangements must be made within 24-hours of symptom onset. This may be obtained at Mass General Brigham patient-facing test facilities [19] by self-scheduling through COVID Pass [6]. [6] All employee testing at Mass General Brigham sites is via NAAT (PCR). Alternatively, employees can test at any non- Mass General Brigham testing location and submit their results to OHS at PHSOHSCOVID19@partners.org [20]
If you test with an antigen test and it is positive, follow the When can I return to work? [18] (PDF download) guidance. If negative, it is not sufficient and you must stay out of work and get a NAAT/PCR test.
If you test with a NAAT/PCR and it is positive, follow the When can I return to work? [18] (PDF download) guidance. If negative, follow guidance depending on duration of your symptoms:

I Have Tested Positive (NAAT/Molecular Test)

If your COVID test was conducted at an MGB location, you should expect a call from MGH Occupational Health Services (OHS) within 24 hours of documentation of a positive test.
If your COVID test was conducted at a non-MGB location, you should submit your results to OHS at PHSOHSCOVID19@partners.org [21].

OHS will conduct an interview for the purposes of contact tracing and will instruct the employee to contact OHS when they have met criteria for return to work so that OHS can confirm their recovery.

Time-based resolution is preferred and can supersede test-based resolution. When can I return to work? [18] (PDF download)

As of June 14, 2021, under the new MA COVID-19 Temporary Emergency Leave program [22], employees who are eligible under the new law may apply to receive pay equal to one times (1x) their standard hours at their base rate of pay. Employees interested in applying for leave under the new law must notify their manager/timekeeper who will code their time appropriately.

View MGB's Infection Status and Resolution policy for specific patient type criteria [23] for more information.

Clients: What to Do if You've Been Exposed to COVID-19

The following information is for clients who test positive or have been informed of a known direct exposure and are receiving services in the Impact Practice Center [24].

I am symptomatic

Clients may return to in-person services in the IPC following:

Resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and consistent improvement of COVID-related symptoms or return to previous baseline

and

For non-immunocompromised clients: at least 10 days since known exposure or symptoms first appeared
For severely immunocompromised clients: at least 20 days since known exposure or symptoms first appeared

I am asymptomatic

Clients may return to in-person services in the IPC following:

For non-immunocompromised clients: at least 10 days since positive test or known exposure
For severely immunocompromised clients: at least 20 days since positive test or known exposure

and

No intervening illness.

If you have an intervening illness, manage as symptomatic, as above.

I am a child attending school and may be a close contact

Clients whose school is closed due to a COVID-19 “outbreak” may come onsite if they meet the following criteria:

The client remains asymptomatic and
They are not required by the school to quarantine due to a direct exposure to a COVID-positive individual at their school.

Arriving to Campus

Campus entry process for faculty, staff, and students:

All members of the IHP Community are required to complete daily asymptomatic attestation through COVID Pass [6].
Ensuring Compliance:
- Faculty and staff logging into their MGB-issued computers will be prompted to complete their COVID Pass [6] if they have not already done so.
- Students will be part of a weekly compliance audit. Students who were scheduled to be on campus for the previous week but did not complete their COVID Pass [6] attestation will receive a notification. Additionally, their academic program will be notified of their noncompliance.

All Visitors to Campus must check in at one of the security desks where they will complete an attestation form.

While on Campus

Effective Monday, March 14, 2022

Vaccinated students, faculty, and staff do not need to wear a mask on campus (except in limited circumstances) nor maintain social distance when eating or drinking.
Unvaccinated individuals should be masked while on campus and maintain social distance while eating and drinking. Institute-provided masks are required and will continue to be available at all check-in stations.
Institute-provided masks will be required by students, faculty, staff, clients, and research participants in the Sanders IMPACT Practice Center and research data capture areas. Facemasks and goggles are optional.

Masks will continue to be required when:

Riding on Mass General Brigham shuttle buses and public transportation.
Entering all clinical areas within the MGB system and other health care settings.
Local communities maintain the masking requirement.

Keep in mind, some members of our community may make the personal choice to continue to wear a mask and maintain social distance. We will respect these personal decisions. Please keep in mind that just because someone is masked does not mean they are not vaccinated.

skyline view of boston from pier in navy yard shows sailboats and blue sky

Classrooms and Meetings

Faculty

Use the white flip book attached to the podium to assist you when starting the system. Give yourself at least 15 minutes before the beginning of class for set up.

>> Follow these steps to return to the classroom [25]

Faculty Compass contains a section specific to teaching [26] developed by our instructional designers and technologists, librarians, and IT staff to support all teaching modalities.

For assistance with student accommodations contact the OSAS Accessibility Office [27] and see these guidelines for accessibility [28].

Help Desk
(617) 724-7910

Immediate/Urgent Help Desk Assistance
(617) 726-3172

If you have any questions or concerns
open a Help Desk ticket [29]

Students

Submit a ticket to the Help Desk if you need personal assistance with D2L or Zoom. Instructional technologists, information technology support staff and librarians can all be contacted via the Helpdesk.

There is student study space available in the Shouse Building, as well as buildings 38, 39, and 2CW.

On campus events and gatherings must be reviewed and approved consistent with the current guidelines and precautions. If students need testing space or space for any academic accommodation, they should work through their program coordinator. Any clubs that would like to book space for in-person meetings should work with OSAS [30] to find an appropriate meeting space.

Travel

The IHP is following MGB policy as it relates to employee travel. You can find the full policy on Pulse [31].

Work-related travel outside of state of employee work or residence (domestic and international) is permitted for employees who are fully vaccinated at the time of travel. It is prohibited for employees who are not fully vaccinated. This prohibition includes in-person attendance at educational and academic conferences.

Personal travel is at the discretion of the employee. Employees should adhere to public health guidance when traveling.

photo shows airplane aisle from the back with rows of seats

Resources

Incoming Students

Temporary Admissions and Pre-Enrollment Policies for COVID-19 [32]

Campus “tour” Video about the pivot [33]

Mass General Brigham Resource Links

Pulse - Mass General Brigham Intranet COVID page [34]

Employee COVID Pass [35]

Remote Work Toolkit [36]

Mental Health Support: Self-Service Apps/ Mental Health [37]

Guide to Mental Health Resources for COVID-19 (MGH Dept of Psychiatry) [38]

OSAS Kids Corner [39]

External Resource Links

Massachusetts Dept of Public Health [40]

National Centers for Disease Control [41]

Coronavirus Case Numbers in the US [42]

Department of State Travel Advisories [43]

World Health Organization [44]

Johns Hopkins CSSE Map of Global Cases [45]

Database of Localized Resources(Aid, Mental Health, etc.) [46]

Xenophobia and Allyship (focus on Asian Americans) [47]

McLean Hospital Mental Health Self-Care Resources [48]

Helping and News

Student Emergency Fund [49] - With so many of our students facing unexpected financial challenges due to job loss, clinical placement changes, and travel restrictions, the IHP created this fund to allow some relief during these unpredictable times. Through your generous gift, you are providing much-needed support for these students.

Pandemic Pivot News article page [50]

COVID FAQs

What do I need to do each day before coming onto campus?

Those coming onto campus must first fill out a COVID Pass [6], answering honestly about the current state of their health. You will need this to enter any IHP building for the foreseeable future. All students, faculty and staff must be fully vaccinated, unless they have been approved for an exemption. If you aren’t feeling well, do not come onto campus.

Do I need to wear a mask? And if so, where?

Vaccinated students, faculty, and staff do not need to wear a mask on campus (except in limited circumstances) nor maintain social distance when eating or drinking. Unvaccinated individuals should be masked while on campus and maintain social distance while eating and drinking. Institute-provided masks are required and will continue to be available at all check-in stations.

Do I have to be vaccinated?

All students, faculty and staff must be fully vaccinated to be on campus. If for personal health or religious reasons you are not vaccinated, you must go through the process of getting an exemption. There are no exceptions to this on campus.

Where can I eat on campus?

While staff and faculty may choose to eat at their desks/in their offices, the following spaces are available for students (and faculty and staff) to eat: in classrooms if no classes are scheduled, student lounges, the Shouse lobby, the 4th-floor study area, the Bellack Library & Study Commons quiet study area and the B149 Eat Street Café.

How are the classrooms organized?

All classrooms have been reconfigured to pre-COVID layouts. Please refrain from re-arranging the classroom furniture settings.

Are the buildings well-ventilated?

All buildings and their HVAC systems have been tested and retested and HEPA-filters are regularly changed. The building ventilation systems refresh the air throughout the day.

What if I need to miss class because I don’t feel well?

Please contact your individual department and instructor to determine what will be expected of you for missing a class. Please do stay home and do not attempt to attend class.

I am not taking public transportation these days and want to park at the IHP. Where can I do that, and what are the costs?

Parking is available at CNY 199, Nautica and Constitution Wharf. For CNY 199, please contact commuterservices@partners.org [51] . Nautica Parking is $14 a day for a maximum of 12 hours. Please contact the Office of Campus Services [52] at to sign up for monthly parking at Constitution Wharf.

Are the kitchens and lounges available?

Yes students, faculty and staff can store lunches in the lounges. Please do not leave food overnight. Water filtration stations are available – please bring your own water bottle. Coffee and tea service is available.

When do I need to wear eye protection?

Institute-provided masks will be required by students, faculty, staff, clients, and research participants in the Sanders IMPACT Practice Center and research data capture areas. Facemasks and goggles are optional.

IHP-Wide Pandemic Messages

COVID-19 Higher Education Control Plan [53]

2022

March 10, 2022: [54] IHP COVID Policy Changes [54]
January 5, 2022: Return to Campus Update [55]

2021

December 21, 2021 [56]: Returning to Campus in January [56]
August 19, 2021: Returning to Campus Update [57]
June 15, 2021: Commit @ IHP Changes [58]
May 17, 2021: Student Study Space [59]
May 17, 2021: Reminder of Commit Guidelines [60]
March 19, 2021: Expanded Access to Student Study Space [61]
February 2, 2021: Student Study Space [62]
January 12, 2021: Return to Campus, Testing, and Vaccine Information [63]
January 5, 2021: COVID Vaccine [64]

July-Dec 2020

January 5, 2020: COVID Vaccine [64]
November 16, 2020: COVID-19 in our Community [65]
October 28, 2020: Commencement 2021 [66]
October 27, 2020: Information on free student testing [67]
October 21, 2020: Student message on Thanksgiving travel [68]
October 5, 2020: Student Study Space [69]
October 5, 2020: IHP Spring Semester Plan [70]
September 18, 2020: The IHP Frontline [71]
September 14, 2020: Commit @ IHP Compliance Policy [72]
September 4, 2020: Commit @ IHP Reminder [73]
August 21, 2020: Commit @ IHP Educational Module [74]
August 20, 2020: Return to Campus Guide [75]
August 14, 2020: Preparing for Return to Campus and Accessing the COVID-19 Pass App [76]
August 6, 2020: Student Return to Campus Update [77]
July 24, 2020: Update on Commit @ IHP [78]
July 16, 2020: Commit@ IHP [79]
July 7, 2020: International Students [80]
July 6, 2020: Return to Campus Plan [81]

Jan-June 2020

June 16, 2020: IHP Fall Planning Update [82]
May 21, 2020: Partnering with Mass General Brigham during the COVID-19 Crisis [83]
May 19, 2020: Commencement Date Changed to August 30 [84]
May 11, 2020: A special message from President Paula Milone-Nuzzo to the Class of 2020 [85]
May 7, 2020: Virtual Commencement Ceremony [86]
May 4, 2020: NECHE Virtual Evaluation [87]
April 23, 2020: Student Leader Awards [88]
April 21, 2020: [89]Message from Dean Gormley [89]
April 9, 2020: Summer Semester Plans [90]
April 5, 2020: Summer Schedule 2020 [91]
April 3, 2020: Together we are stronger [92]
April 1, 2020: More than a Health Crisis [93]
March 30, 2020: Clinical Placements During the COVID-19 Pandemic [94]
March 30, 2020: Commencement Postponed Until August 28 [95]
March 23, 2020: Updated Campus Access Policy [96]
March 19, 2020: IMPACT Practice Center Closed Through April 30 [97]
March 18, 2020: Status of Campus, Social Media Reminder, Student and Employee Resources [98]
March 17, 2020: Thank you from the President [99]
March 12, 2020: Social Distancing Policy [100]
March 11, 2020: Changes to Classes and Workplace [101]
March 6, 2020: The IHP Prohibits Conference Attendance [102]
March 6, 2020: Academic Task Force Potential Class Disruption Info [103]
March 5, 2020: Students and Employees Traveling During Spring Break [104]
February 28, 2020: Spring Break Travel Policy [105]
February 27, 2020: IHP Emergency Preparedness [106]
February 20, 2020: [107] Travel Policy [107]
February 7, 2020: IHP Policy for all students, faculty and staff [108]
January 31, 2020: Initial announcement and planning [109]