Berklee’s COVID-19 isolation protocols are based on guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please note that the information on this page is subject to change. The community will be notified of any changes accordingly.
Isolation Procedures
Berklee requires that community members who test positive for COVID-19 self-isolate for a period of five days regardless of previous infection, vaccination or booster status, and the presence or absence of symptoms.
Residential Students
Residential students who test positive for COVID-19 are required to self-isolate in their dorm rooms. Please abide by the following guidelines:
- Isolation instructions: You may only leave your room to use the restroom, do laundry, and pick up your meals from the dining hall. When leaving your room, you will be required to wear a high-quality, well-fitted mask at all times, except while bathing. If you can travel home without using public transportation or rideshare services, you are highly encouraged to self-isolate at home.
- Food services: Upon submitting your positive test result using this form you will receive an email containing instructions for ordering grab and go meals from the dining hall. As a safety measure, you are not allowed to order food from outside vendors.
- Visitors: Visitors are not permitted. It is important that you remain separated from others as much as feasible for the duration of your recovery.
- Roommates: Given that roommates have already been exposed to their positive a positive case, seeking alternate housing for the duration of their roommate's isolation period is not recommended.
- Medical assistance: In close partnership with Berklee’s COVID-19 administrator, Tufts Medical Center will manage your medical needs and help you through your recovery, providing telehealth resources. Please have your health insurance information available to share with Tufts. Berklee strongly encourages you to contact your health insurance provider to determine if Tufts Medical Center is in your plan network. If Tufts Medical Center does not participate in your health insurance plan, please contact your medical provider to coordinate care and clearance from self-isolation. Documentation from any medical provider clearing you from isolation must be in compliance with the CDC guidelines.
- Emergencies: Call Berklee Public Safety at 617-747-8888 in the event of any emergency or if you have safety concerns.
- Classes: If you feel well enough to participate in classes remotely, please continue to do so. If you do not feel well, you are encouraged to rest; you should not be penalized for missing class. Please notify your faculty members of your reason for missing class and work with them to make up any assignments. If you require additional assistance please contact your department chair for support.
- Resuming on-campus activity: Berklee is following the criteria from the CDC for when it is safe to resume public activities. This criteria varies depending on your personal health condition and the severity of your infection. Until you meet the CDC criteria and have been cleared by your primary care provider, you must continue to self-isolate.
Commuter Students
- Isolation instructions: Instructions for isolation will be provided upon submitting your positive test result using this form.
- Leaving campus: Upon learning of a positive test result you should leave campus immediately, even if in the middle of a class or lesson, to isolate in your residence. Notify your faculty of the reason for your departure.
- Visitors and errands: During isolation, it is imperative that you remain at home, physically separated from other people. This means that you should not run errands or allow visitors for the duration of your isolation period.
- Classes: If you feel well enough to participate in classes remotely, please continue to do so. If you do not feel well, you are encouraged to rest; you should not be penalized for missing class. Please notify your faculty members of your reason for missing class and work with them to make up any assignments. If you require additional assistance please contact your department chair for support.
- Medical assistance: In close partnership with Berklee’s COVID-19 administrator, Tufts Medical Center will manage your medical needs and help you through your recovery, providing telehealth resources. Please have your health insurance information available to share with Tufts. Berklee strongly encourages you to contact your health insurance provider to determine if Tufts Medical Center is in your plan network. If Tufts Medical Center does not participate in your health insurance plan, please contact your medical provider to coordinate care and clearance from self-isolation. Documentation from any medical provider clearing you from isolation must be in compliance with the CDC guidelines(Opens in a new window).
- Resuming on-campus activity: Berklee is following the criteria from the CDC for when it is safe to resume public activities. This criteria varies depending on your personal health condition and the severity of your infection. Until you meet the CDC criteria and have been cleared by your primary care provider, you must continue to self-isolate.
Faculty and Staff
- Isolation instructions: Instructions for isolation will be provided to you by a Human Resources representative after emailing hremployeerelations@berklee.edu of your posiitive test result. You must self-isolate for five days—regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms.
- Leaving campus and notifying your primary care provider: You are required to leave campus immediately, even if in the middle of class, begin self-isolation at home, and connect with your primary care provider.
- Faculty teaching responsibilities while in isolation: If a substitute teacher is needed for a faculty member who cannot conduct classes due to COVID-19 or another illness, please follow the policy for class coverage and substitutes, which can be found on the Academic Affairs website (login required) in the Policies and Guides section under Faculty Resources.
- Staff work responsibilities while in isolation: If you are a staff member who must self-isolate, Human Resources will provide additional information. If remote work is available and approved by your supervisor, you may work remotely while in isolation if you are able to do so.
- Resuming on-campus activity: Berklee is following CDC criteria (opens in a new window) for when it is safe to resume public activities. This criteria varies depending on your personal health conditions and the severity of your infection. Until you meet the CDC criteria, you must continue to self-isolate.
- Absence: If you are unable to work, you may use accrued PTO.
Rebound Infections
According to the CDC, if symptoms return after your isolation period and you test positive through a rapid test your isolation clock should restart. Rebound infections have been reported in indivduals who took the antiviral treatment Paxlovid.
Faculty Notifications
Students should directly contact their faculty to notify them of their positive diagnosis and to make up any missed work. If you feel well enough to participate in classes remotely, please continue to do so. If you do not feel well, you are encouraged to rest; you should not be penalized for missing class. Students should forward the isolation email received after submitting this form to faculty as proof of reporting a positive diagnosis. If you need any further assistance with notifying your faculty contact your department chair or dean.
Quarantine Procedures
Per CDC guidance, community members who are exposed to the virus no longer must quarantine at home regardless of their vaccination status, although they should wear a mask for 10 days and get tested for the virus on Day 5. The Testing Center will only provide tests for symptomatic community members.