Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community,
On November 26, the World Health Organization designated Omicron as a new COVID-19 variant of concern. We are closely monitoring public health conditions, as well as guidance from the DC Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While there is reason for concern, it is too early to know the extent of the impact of this development.
Steps to Take Now
As a reminder, all Georgetown community members returning to campus after Thanksgiving break are required to get tested for COVID-19 this week, regardless of their vaccination status or whether they have traveled or remained in the local area. If you have not done so already, please schedule your free test on campus today via the One Medical mobile app or website.
Vaccination is one of the best means of protecting yourselves and others. If you have not done so already, please get a booster shot as soon as possible.
Spring 2022 Guidelines
I am pleased that our layered prevention measures this term have led to COVID-19 test positivity rates on our campuses below 1% consistently. As we prepare for the Spring semester, I would like to share information about the University’s public health guidelines. Our guidelines are determined by current pandemic conditions and guidance from the CDC and DC Health. We will inform our community of any changes to our guidelines resulting from Omicron or other changes in public health conditions.
The chart below details key protocols for the Spring 2022 term, beginning on January 4, 2022. If you have any questions, please contact the University’s Care Navigator team at covidcarenavigator@georgetown.edu.
| Spring 2022 Public Health Guidelines | |
| Mode of Instruction | Classes will be in-person, unless the course has been approved by the University to be taught online. |
| COVID-19 Vaccination | The University has a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for students, faculty, and staff. Students who are coming to campus for the first time or returning from leave, and faculty and staff who are newly hired or did not teach or work for Georgetown during the Fall 2021 semester, must submit documentation showing they are fully vaccinated or apply for a medical or religious exemption by Friday, December 3. We strongly encourage all students, faculty and staff to get their booster shots as soon as possible. |
| COVID-19 Testing | The University’s COVID-19 Testing Protocol remains in effect, including arrival testing and weekly randomized testing. Students, faculty and staff will need to get tested upon their arrival on campus for the Spring 2022 semester, regardless of their vaccination status or whether they have traveled or remained in the local area.
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| Masks | Until further notice, the University’s indoor mask requirement will remain in effect. Individuals, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask indoors in University-owned or -operated buildings, except when eating or drinking, when alone in a private office, or when in their personal residence. |
| Events and Visitors | The University has a visitor vaccination requirement, and students, faculty and staff should continue to follow public health guidance for planning events. |
| Symptom Monitoring | When experiencing any symptoms, fully vaccinated students, faculty and staff who plan to be on campus should complete the COVID-19 Symptom Check-In survey through the GU360 mobile app or GU360 website. Unvaccinated community members should continue to complete the Symptom Check-In Survey each day they are on campus. |
| Quarantine and Isolation | Georgetown will continue to follow DC Department of Health guidance regarding quarantine and isolation, which DC Health may update at a later time. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated will need to quarantine upon arrival to the DC area and should consider arriving early, if possible, in order to complete their quarantine in time to attend in-person classes or activities on campus at the beginning of the Spring semester. |
| Libraries | All Georgetown University libraries will remain closed to individuals unaffiliated with Georgetown as we begin the Spring 2022 semester. We will continue to monitor and reevaluate the status of our libraries as the Spring 2022 term gets underway. |
| Yates Field House and Kehoe Field | Yates Field House and Kehoe Field on the Main Campus will continue to be closed to external community members and guests. We will continue to monitor and reevaluate our status as we move into the Spring 2022 semester. |
| Scott K. Ginsburg Sport & Fitness Center | The Scott K. Ginsburg Sport & Fitness Center at the Law Center will continue to be closed to external community members and guests. We will continue to monitor and reevaluate our status as we move into the Spring 2022 semester. |
| Main Campus Residential Buildings | Access to Main Campus residential buildings will continue to be limited to Georgetown students and employees. One fully vaccinated and masked guest will be permitted to enter residential buildings to assist new students moving on campus in January. |
| GUTS | Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle (GUTS) will continue to operate at full capacity and will revert back to pre-pandemic entrance and exit practices. Individuals using GUTS, regardless of vaccination status, need to wear a mask while on the shuttle. |
| Intercollegiate Athletics | The Department of Athletics will continue to follow current University, conference and league protocols for students engaged in intercollegiate athletics, staff, visiting teams and spectators. |
| University-Related Travel | The University’s COVID-19 Travel Policy remains in effect and is reviewed frequently to determine if updates are appropriate. Any update to the policy will be communicated broadly to our community. |
Unfortunately, COVID-19 is still a threat to many. We are all experiencing “COVID fatigue,” but let’s continue to work together to stay vigilant and adhere to public health measures. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Ranit Mishori, M.D., MHS, FAAFP
Professor of Family Medicine, Vice President and Chief Public Health Officer