Carnegie Mellon University

COVID-19 Updates

Information and resources for the CMU community

Scotty with mask and vaccination bandaid
March 04, 2022

COVID-19 Preparations for Spring Break

Dear Members of the Carnegie Mellon Community,

I write today with updates to CMU’s COVID-19 policies related to the Daily Self-Assessment, classroom notifications, and isolation and quarantine requirements. As we begin Spring Break, our campus remains in a Transitional Posture with near capacity in-person classes and activities.
  • As of March 5, the Daily Self-Assessment will no longer be required for whom it was a requirement. It does however remain a recommended mitigation measure and will continue to be available to the entire CMU community.
  • All classroom and laboratory notifications of positive cases will end after this Friday, March 4.
  • As of March 14, isolation and quarantine requirements are shifting for anyone not fully vaccinated and boosted (i.e., “up to date” ). In short, if you are a close contact of a COVID-19 positive case and are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination series, are asymptomatic and test negative, you are not required to quarantine. However, if you are a close contact of a COVID-19 positive case and are not up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination series, you must quarantine for seven days and test negative using an antigen test at the end of that period to be cleared from quarantine.
We recently updated the COVID Dashboardwhich now includes data on booster and hospitalization rates. As the pandemic evolves and becomes endemic, the data we present paints a more nuanced picture of our own preparedness and the impact the virus has on our community. We are encouraged that 82% of eligible students, faculty and staff have already received a booster and remind all who have not yet submitted their booster documentation to do so as soon as possible.

Vending machines stocked with KN95 facial coverings and COVID-19 at-home antigen test kits, available to all students, faculty and staff free of charge, have been installed at various locations around campus to ensure easy and accessible distribution of these essential COVID-19 mitigation resources.

While we are pleased to see COVID-19 positivity rates and case numbers trending downward following the Omicron surge, it is imperative to stay vigilant and take appropriate precautions while making plans for Spring Break. This includes testing before you travel, wearing high-quality facial coverings and avoiding travel if you feel any symptoms. Tartan Testing will remain operational during Spring Break. Testing will not be required for those returning from Spring Break but is recommended per our travel protocol and will continue to remain available to all members of our community.

While CMU’s per capita case rates remain above those of the surrounding county, we are assessing the latest CDC guidance, continuing to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 and are examining our policies around facial coverings, gathering limitations and other protocols accordingly. We will keep you apprised of any changes as the month progresses.

We are all looking forward to longer spring days filled with sunshine, warmth and flowers in bloom. For those going on break, we hope that you return to campus after the holiday well-rested and energized to finish the spring semester strong!

Sincerely,

Daryl Weinert,
Vice President for Operations, Interim Vice President for Research, COVID-19 Coordinator