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: The COVID-19 operations team will share 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: Although not required, roommates who have not tested positive and are not exhibiting symptoms are encouraged to seek alternate housing for the duration of the positive roommate’s isolation period.
- 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 with the Berklee Health Services administrative team, reachable at covidhealthadministrator@berklee.edu. 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 will not be penalized for missing class. To notify faculty members of an extended class absence, email Student Health and Wellness at healthandwellness@berklee.edu.
- 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 Tufts Medical Center or your primary care provider, you must continue to self-isolate.
Commuter Students
- Isolation instructions: Instructions for isolation will be provided to you by the intake team, so it is critical that you respond to phone calls as quickly as possible.
- Leaving campus: In addition to receiving detailed instructions, you will be asked to leave campus immediately and begin self-isolation at home.
- 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 will not be penalized for missing classes. To notify faculty members of an extended class absence, email Student Health and Wellness at healthandwellness@berklee.edu.
- 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 by providing telehealth resources. Please have your health insurance information available to share with Tufts. We also strongly encourage 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 in order to coordinate care and clearance from self-isolation with the Berklee Health Services administrative team, reachable at covidhealthadministrator@berklee.edu. Documentation from any medical provider clearing you from isolation must be in compliance with the CDC guidelines.
- Resuming on-campus activity: Berklee is following CDC criteria 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 and have been cleared by Tufts Medical Center or your primary care provider, you must continue to self-isolate.
Faculty and Staff
- Isolation instructions: Instructions for isolation will be provided to you by the intake team and a Human Resources representative; therefore, it is critical that you respond to phone calls as quickly as possible. You must self-isolate for five days—regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms—and you will need clearance from your physician to return to campus.
- Leaving campus and notifying your primary care provider: You will be asked to leave campus immediately, 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 contact you and coordinate work-related adjustments and accommodations with your manager. 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 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 and have been cleared by your primary care provider and a member of the Human Resources team, you must continue to self-isolate.
- Absence: If you are unable to work, you may use accrued PTO.
Faculty Notifications
In recognition of students’ need to request excused absences during isolation periods, students who test positive for COVID-19 will receive a PDF from Health and Wellness noting that their absence is due to a legitimate health reason. Students may share that document with their faculty members. Excused absences are at the discretion of faculty. If students need additional accommodation, they should contact Health and Wellness at healthandwellness@berklee.edu.
When Tufts releases a student from isolation, the student will receive an official letter by email. Students may share this letter with their faculty members upon request when they return to class.
Quarantine Procedures
Community members who are fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine if identified as a close contact. However, close contacts are encouraged to wear a mask for three days after exposure.