Spring 2023 COVID-19 Transitions
The following was sent to all members of the Boston University Community on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 from Dr. Judy Platt, MD, Chief Health Officer and Executive Director of Student Health Services.
Dear Members of our Boston University Community,
With the spring semester moving along quickly, I write to share information about our COVID-19 related policies that will begin after the All University Commencement on May 23, 2023. These transitions align with the state’s acknowledgement of the ending of the COVID-19 public health emergency in Massachusetts on May 11, 2023.
Please read below for important public health updates about our:
- COVID-19 vaccination policy
- COVID-19 testing on campus
- Masking requirements and recommendations
COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
The best ways to protect yourself and others against severe COVID-19 infections is to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, wear a mask in crowded, indoor spaces, and test if you are not feeling well. We will be transitioning from a university COVID-19 vaccination mandate to a tiered vaccination policy.
- COVID-19 General Population Vaccination Policy: We strongly recommend that everyone remain up to date with all CDC COVID-19 vaccination recommendations.
- COVID-19 Clinical Population Vaccination Policy: All faculty, students, and staff who provide direct patient-facing healthcare will be required to provide documentation of a COVID-19 primary series and booster or submit a religious or medical waiver.
COVID-19 Testing
Free PCR testing at BU, for those with symptoms or exposures, will remain available at the Health Services Annex in the rear of 925 Commonwealth Ave Monday-Friday 9am-5pm through May 22, 2023, and all test results will appear in the confidential online portals by the end of the day on May 23, 2023. Moving forward from this date, students who need PCR testing should schedule an appointment at SHS and employees should seek out PCR testing through urgent care facilities or your personal healthcare provider offices. Our University COVID-19 Clinical Testing Laboratory will also close permanently on May 22, 2023.
Masking
Masks remain required in all healthcare spaces at Boston University until further notice. Our masking policy is currently aligned with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health COVID-19 mask requirements and we await further updates as the spring progresses. We continue to recommend masking inside your home if you or others in the home are not feeling well or if you have underlying medical conditions that place you at a higher risk for severe COVID-19. We continue to encourage the use of high-quality masks (such as N95s, KN95s, KF94s, and FFP3/2s) that cover the nose, mouth, and chin and fit securely to reduce the risk of viral transmission.
For more information about COVID-19, students can visit the Student Health Services COVID-19 website and faculty and staff can visit the Occupational Health Center COVID-19 website.
Wishing you all good health this spring and summer,
Judy T. Platt, MD (she/her/hers)
Chief Health Officer and Executive Director
Student Health Services
Boston University