GW’s Coronavirus Response | The George Washington University

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Spring 2022 Return to Campus

The George Washington University will resume in-person classes and activities in support of the university’s academic mission on Tuesday, January 18. Additionally, university employees should return to their work schedules that were in place prior to the virtual period.

We will continue to limit some in-person activity on our campuses until January 31. We anticipate restoring in-person activities in a phased approach beginning February 1.

Operating Adjustments through January 31

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Planning for the Future

Over the past year, we saw the very best of the GW community as we remained united in the face of once-in-a-century challenges. Now, our chance to finally reunite is very close at hand.

Buoyed by positive signs—expanded vaccine production and distribution, improved transmission rates locally and nationally and containment of the spread of virus on campus—we are actively planning for an in-person return to campus this fall.

We are optimistic about the comprehensive on-campus experience we will offer our students, including in our classrooms, residence halls, laboratories, libraries and studios. At the same time, we know our community will need options, and we will incorporate flexibility into our fall plans wherever possible to meet the varying in-person and remote needs of our community.

We are taking productive steps to prepare for our new and returning students’ arrival to campus, including by strengthening our testing and public health protocols, reviewing and updating our buildings and classroom configurations and preparing our residence halls.

Onward GW
GW's 2021-2022 Operational Plan

Public Health Protocols

Public Health Behaviors	Students (All in-person)	Faculty (Full-time, adjunct)	Staff (All designations, onsite contractors)	Visitors (Alumni, visiting teams, event guests, lecturers, tours, neighbors, etc.)
Vaccine or Approved Exemption Required*	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes**
Vaccine Booster Required by January 10, 2022	Yes	Yes	Yes	TBD
Masks Required Indoors	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Testing	Weekly Exempt Vaccinated without booster Biweekly Vaccinated with booster	Weekly Exempt Vaccinated without booster Biweekly Vaccinated with booster	Weekly Exempt Vaccinated without booster Biweekly Vaccinated with booster	If unvaccinated, yes
Positive COVID-19 Test	Isolate 10 days minimum	Isolate 10 days minimum	Isolate 10 days minimum	N/A
Quarantine for Close Contacts	Exempt and/or Symptomatic People	Exempt and/or Symptomatic People	Exempt and/or Symptomatic People	N/A
Testing 3-5 Days After COVID-19 Exposure	Yes	Yes	Yes	On their own
Daily Symptom Screening	Exempt People	Exempt People	Exempt People	Not Required
Signed Commitment	Once	Once	Once	N/A**

* Campus access is linked to compliance with vaccine policy; if a student, faculty member, or staff person requires access to campus for any reason, they must have a confirmed vaccine record or approved exemption. There are no exceptions.

** Masks are required inside university-owned or –operated facilities for all people regardless of vaccination status.