Updated: June 1, 2023

Quarantine vs. Isolation

• You quarantine when you might have been exposed to the virus and may or may not have been infected.
• You isolate when you are sick or when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms.

Quarantine

Quarantine is a strategy used to prevent transmission of COVID-19 by keeping people who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 apart from others.

Exposure: Contact with someone infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in a way that increases the likelihood of getting infected with the virus

What to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19

Asymptomatic Individuals

After being exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should begin precautions immediately. This is true for all individuals regardless of vaccination status or previous COVID-19 infection. These precautions include:

• You should wear a well-fitting mask around others inside your home or indoors in public for 10 days from the date of your last exposure to someone with COVID-19 (the date of last close contact is considered day 0). This includes all public locations on campus.
• If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 you should get tested immediately.
• Asymptomatic individuals should get tested at least 5 days after their last exposure to someone with COVID-19. Several options are available on campus.
• Quarantine is not required for asymptomatic individuals exposed to COVID-19.
• Asymptomatic individuals may continue to go to class, work and events.
• Asymptomatic individuals may remain in their residence hall.
• Asymptomatic individuals should follow all guidelines below as outlined in “Additional Precautions for Masking After Exposure and Isolation.”

Symptomatic Individuals

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and you are exhibiting symptoms, you should immediately self-isolate (see below) and get tested. Several options are available on campus.

• Upon receipt of a negative test, these individuals should follow the guidelines above for asymptomatic individuals.
• If the test is positive, individuals should follow the isolation guidelines below and report the result via UA’s COVID-19 Test Reporting Form.

Isolation

Isolation is used to separate people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 from those without COVID-19. People who are in isolation should stay home or move to isolation housing until it’s safe for them to be around others. At home, anyone sick or infected should separate from others and wear a well-fitting mask when they need to be around others. Everyone who has presumed or confirmed COVID-19 should stay home or at their off-campus apartment and isolate from other people for at least 5 full days (day 0 is the first day of symptoms or the date of the positive viral test for asymptomatic persons). People who are confirmed to have COVID-19 or are showing symptoms of COVID-19 need to isolate regardless of their vaccination status. This includes:

• People who have a positive viral test for COVID-19, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms.
• People with symptoms of COVID-19, including people who are awaiting test results or have not been tested. People with symptoms should isolate even if they do not know if they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

What to do for isolation

• Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
• Stay in a separate room from other household members or roommates, if possible.
• Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
• Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.
• Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets.
• Don’t share personal household items like cups, towels and utensils.
• Wear a well-fitting mask when you need to be around other people.
• Learn more about what to do if you are sick.

All residence hall students whose permanent address is within 200 miles of campus, must return to their permanent address for the isolation period or make alternate living arrangements for the duration of their isolation.

Ending isolation for people who had COVID-19 and had symptoms

If you had COVID-19 and had symptoms, isolate for at least 5 days. To calculate your 5-day isolation period, day 0 is your first day of symptoms. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed. You can leave isolation after 5 full days.

• You can end isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved. (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.)
• You should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others inside your home or indoors in public (including all public locations on campus) until day 11. See below for more information on removing your mask and other restrictions related to masking on campus.
• Residence hall students with private accommodations (including a private bathroom) and who have received a negative test result from an antigen test after day 5 of their isolation may return to their room. This is the same type of test that the airlines use before some international travel. More information about supervised testing can be found under the testing section of this web page. If these criteria cannot be met, the student may not return to their room until the morning of day 11. It is the responsibility of the individual to inform the Department of Residence Life and Housing of their test results prior to asking to have their swipe card reactivated.
• Residence hall students with shared accommodations (living space and/or bathroom) must have a negative test result from an  antigen test on day 6 AND day 8 in order to return to their room. If these criteria cannot be met, the student may not return to their dorm until the morning of day 11. It is the responsibility of the individual to inform the Department of Residence Life and Housing of their test results prior to asking to have their swipe card reactivated.
• If you continue to have fever or your other symptoms have not improved after 5 days of isolation, you should wait to end your isolation until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved. Continue to wear a well-fitting mask. Contact your health care provider if you have questions.
• Individuals with a severe and frequent cough should remain isolated, if possible.
• Do not travel during your 5-day isolation period. After you end isolation, avoid travel until a full 10 days after your first day of symptoms. If you must travel for personal reasons on days 6-10, wear a well-fitting mask when you are around others for the entire duration of travel. If you are unable to wear a mask, you should not travel during the 10 days.

If an individual has access to a test and wants to test, the best approach is to use an antigen test on day 6. Test only if you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved. (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.) If your test result is positive, you should continue to isolate until day 10. If your test result is negative, you can end isolation, but continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public until the morning of day 11. Follow additional recommendations for masking as described below in “Additional Precautions for Masking After Exposure and Isolation.”

Ending isolation for people who tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms

If you test positive for COVID-19 and never develop symptoms, isolate for at least 5 days. Day 0 is the day of your positive viral test (based on the date you were tested) and day 1 is the first full day after the specimen was collected for your positive test. You can leave isolation after 5 full days unless you need to return to a residence hall or fall under other specific national governing body or intercollegiate athletics conference requirements.

• If you continue to have no symptoms, you can end isolation after day 5. A negative test result is strongly recommended before returning to indoor public spaces.
• You should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public until the morning of day 11 (day 6 through day 10). If you are unable to wear a mask when around others, you should continue to isolate for 10 days. Avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, nursing homes and other high-risk settings, until after at least 10 days.
• If you develop symptoms after testing positive, your 5-day isolation period should start over. Day 0 is your first day of symptoms. Follow the recommendations above for ending isolation for people who had COVID-19 and had symptoms.
• Do not travel during your 5-day isolation period. After you end isolation, avoid travel until the morning of day 11. If you must travel on days 6-10, wear a well-fitting mask when you are around others for the entire duration of travel. If you are unable to wear a mask, you should not travel during the 10 days after your positive test.
• Do not go to places where you may need to remove your mask, such as the dining hall, restaurants, swimming pools and some gyms. Avoid eating around others at home and at work until 10 days after the day of your positive test.
• Residence hall students with private accommodations (including a private bathroom) and who have received a negative test result from an antigen test after day 5 of their isolation may return to their room. This is the same type of test that the airlines use before some international travel. More information about supervised testing can be found under the testing section of this web page. If these criteria cannot be met, the student may not return to their room until the morning of day 11. It is the responsibility of the individual to inform the Department of Residence Life and Housing of their test results.
• Residence hall students with shared accommodations (living space and/or bathroom) must have a negative test result from an  antigen test on day 6 AND day 8 in order to return to their dorm. If these criteria cannot be met, the student may not return to their room until the morning of day 11. It is the responsibility of the individual to inform the Department of Residence Life and Housing of their test results.

If an individual has access to a test and wants to test, the best approach is to use an antigen test on day 6. If your test result is positive, you should continue to isolate until the morning of day 11. If your test result is negative, you can end isolation, but continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public until the morning of day 11. Follow additional recommendations for masking as described below in “Additional Precautions for Masking After Exposure and Isolation.” The CDC has specific guidance for ending isolation for people who were severely ill with COVID-19 or have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised).

Additional Precautions for Masking After Exposure and Isolation

Below are some additional considerations for those who are required to mask after exposure to or isolation due to COVID-19.

• Do not dine in at eating locations on campus where your mask would be removed and avoid eating around others at home and at work until the morning of day 11. Students on the meal plan may should avoid Rob’s Dining Hall.

• Residence hall students who have a private living space, which includes a private bathroom, and are able to return before day 11 must wear a well-fitted mask when in any public areas.
• Residence hall students are not permitted to have any guests until the morning of day 11.
• Individuals should not use the pools or common showers at the SRWC or ONAT until the morning of day 11.
• UA students may not sing or play wind instruments indoors, use the practice rooms or attend one-on-one lessons at Guzzetta Hall until the morning of day 11.
• UA students may not attend any group rehearsals for music or dance until the morning of day 11.
• Those with a UA mask exemption must either wear a mask on campus during their 10-day period or refrain from being in public locations on campus.

Removing Your Mask

After you have ended isolation, as described above, you should wear your mask until the morning of day 11. Residence hall students may utilize the following to discontinue mask use earlier in order to be permitted to return to their on-campus living space.

• Receive a negative result from an antigen test on day 6 and day 8. This is the same type of test that the airlines use before some international travel. More information about supervised testing can be found under the testing section of this web page.
• Testing may be done at Health Services, urgent care, retail testing locations (CVS, Walgreen’s, etc.) or via a Abbott BinaxNOW test.
• It is the responsibility of the individual to inform the Department of Residence Life and Housing of their test results.
• This process only permits an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 to return to their dorm prior to day 11. UA policy requires all individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 continue to wear a well-fitted mask until the morning of day 11 in all public locations on campus.
• This process is not valid for those exposed to COVID-19. Those individuals should wear a well-fitted mask until the morning of day 11.

Support Contact Tracing Efforts

• In the event of an outbreak of three or more connected cases, the UA COVID Response Team will determine appropriate course of action.

The following provides information about what to do if you feel unwell, have been exposed to COVID-19, or if someone has disclosed to you that they have COVID or have been exposed to COVID. Please follow the guidance provided. If you feel unwell or have COVID symptoms, call Health Services at 330-972-7808.

FACULTY/STAFF

If you are an employee and you feel unwell or have COVID symptoms, you should:

• Report off work by notifying your supervisor.
• Reach out to your health care provider or call Health Services at 330-972-7808 if you wish to be seen or have testing completed.
• If you are waiting on test results, refrain from communal activities (including in-person classes) and always wear a mask when in the presence of others until your test results come back.
• If you have received a positive test result, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 you may self-disclose your health status to students and/or co-workers.

If you are a faculty member and a student discloses that they have COVID or have been identified as a close contact or they have been advised to quarantine by contact tracers, you should:

• Follow any advice from the University of Akron COVID Response Team if an outbreak has been identified.
• In general, people who are up to date on their vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who has COVID-19, unless they have symptoms.
• Note: Students will not be issued a letter of return but may return to class after the quarantine period.
• If you are a supervisor and an employee (including students) discloses that they were in close contact with someone who tested positive, you should work with eligible employees to make arrangements to work from home during quarantine.

Teaching

For faculty: Guidelines for classes, including guidance for masks, office hours and more.

The following provides information about what to do if you feel unwell, have been exposed to COVID-19, or if someone has disclosed to you that they have COVID or have been exposed to COVID. Please follow the guidance provided. If you feel unwell or have COVID symptoms, call Health Services at 330-972-7808.

If you are a UA student and feel unwell or have COVID symptoms, you should:

• Call Health Services at 330-972-7808 or your health care provider. The CDC offers an interactive self-checker tool that can be referenced for recommendations on testing or medical care.
• Let your instructor know if you will be missing class due to illness or are waiting on a COVID test result (and, if you test positive for COVID, let your instructor know).

If a UA friend discloses to you that they have COVID, you should:

Determine if you had close contact with them 48 hours prior to their symptom onset or date they took their COVID-19 test, if they were asymptomatic. People should quarantine for up to 10 days if they have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19.  If you feel unwell or have COVID symptoms, call Health Services at 330-972-7808 if you wish to be seen or have testing completed. 

Updated: September 8, 2023

The University no longer requires Covid-19 vaccinations for students or employees and no longer reviews or considers exemption requests.

Members of the UA community who work and learn at sites with independent COVID-19 vaccination requirements, e.g., hospitals, clinical sites, co-ops, and schools may be required to comply with requirements pertaining to those sites. Not complying with program partners’ COVID-19 vaccination and exemption requirements could prevent individuals from fulfilling academic and professional objectives.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Emergency Regulation

On August 4, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ended their COVID-19 vaccination or valid exemption requirements for individuals working in a healthcare clinic that participates in Medicare or Medicaid programs. Those individuals working or learning at on-campus clinical sites funded by CMS are encouraged to consider keeping current with their vaccinations. 

(Updated August 9, 2023)

Med+Proctor and privacy

We are partnering with Med+Proctor to securely collect the vaccination status of students and employees. Med+Proctor is a confidential record-storage site that automates the immunization-verification process for universities.[TE1] [EG2] 

Access to the form submission and Med+Proctor data is restricted to University health care professionals and trained employees. Your information will not be shared publicly or directly with instructors, supervisors or colleagues.

There is no charge to upload your information.

How to upload

1. Log on to medproctor.com. First-time users will need to register for a new account. There is no charge.
2. Upload your vaccine record.

Need help? See step-by-step instructions.

COVID vaccination is available at the Summit County Public Health clinic by appointment only.  Call 330-375-2772 to schedule.

Visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov for more registered vaccination locations in Ohio.

Updated: February 9, 2023

Symptomatic Individuals

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, testing is available at Student Health Services.  Office visit fees apply. You may obtain a take-home test via curbside pickup at Bierce Library. (See details below.)

Asymptomatic Individuals

If you are NOT experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 but would like to get tested, (including those exposed to COVID-19 not experiencing symptoms), you can pick up an at-home test from Bierce Library or the Student Recreation and Wellness Center while supplies last. See details for all options below.

Health Services

Testing for those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 can get tested at Student Health Services inside the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. An appointment is required and can be made by calling 330-972-7808.  Office visit fees apply.

At-Home Test Pickup

At-home tests for COVID-19 may be picked up at the Bierce Library circulation desk and the Student Recreation and Wellness Center main desk during normal operating hours.

Curbside Pickup of At-Home Tests

Curbside pickup of at-home tests for COVID-19 may be arranged at Bierce Library by calling 330-972-5355 or email circ@uakron2.libanswers.com to schedule a time.

Supervised Antigen Test

Supervised antigen test requirements can be met in a variety of ways, including off-campus testing with official lab results, testing on campus with Health Services and athletic training. Take-home tests, including the Abbott BianaxNow (available at pharmacies) when used in conjunction with the eMed virtual lab, qualify as supervised if used according to the remote proctoring protocols as it includes a verified lab result.

Updated: September 11, 2023

The University of Akron no longer conducts surveillance testing.

As part of the University’s effort to reduce the spread of COVID, we may employ periodic mandatory testing for segments of our campus community in the event of an outbreak.

The surveillance testing strategy is based on several different factors that include taking into consideration each person’s potential exposure to others who have tested positive and share facilities, density of congregate living environments and activities with higher risk of close contact.

• Students who do not comply with the testing requirement will be referred to the Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards, where they will face increasingly progressive discipline that may include warnings, educational sanctions, fines, probation, loss of campus privileges or suspension.
• Employees who do not comply with the testing requirement will face appropriate progressive discipline. 

We encourage anyone who is feeling ill or who is immunocompromised to use caution and consider facial coverings for their personal safety.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides periodic updates on COVID-19 hospital admission levels, to help communities and individuals decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. The University is following CDC guidance and recommending individuals wear face coverings indoors on our campuses when Summit, Medina or Wayne counties’ CDC community alert levels are high.

County levels can be low, medium or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Summit County, Medina County and Wayne County community levels are one of several factors the University considers when modifying mask recommendations or requirements.

Unless otherwise communicated masks are optional (for those not under quarantine or isolation restrictions) in the following locations:

• Residence hall isolation suite common areas 

Please note, there will be locations where masks may still be required, including: 

• Some faculty and staff may continue to request (not require) that others wear a mask in individual classrooms, research labs or offices. Please continue to carry a mask to wear in these situations to protect the health of vulnerable people in our community and respect the Zips who make these requests. However, there will be no consequence if you decline the request.
• Athletic training will determine requirements in training room and other close contact locations based on their own surveillance data. 

Areas where masks will still be required universally:

• Student Health Services 
• Speech and Audiology clinics in the Polsky Building 
• Office of Accessibility
• Note: Those under COVID-19 quarantine or isolation restrictions are required to be masked for a minimum of 10 days

Individuals may choose to wear masks at any time.

The University will continue to monitor conditions and guidance from the CDC, the State of Ohio and local health officials and adjust protocols as needed.

More

• In the unlikely event a universal mask mandate would return, faculty/instructors who are teaching in-person classes may choose to wear a face shield in place of a face mask while teaching if they are vaccinated and can maintain a safe distance of more than six feet from their students if the University has a campus wide mask requirement in place. See additional information for faculty. 
• Microphones may be requested to aid in teaching.  Please contact Audio Visual Services for assistance. 
• The Office of Accessibility may request that instructors wear a clear view face mask or visible shield to provide necessary facial cues. Faculty may wear their own clear face covering or request one from the Office of Accessibility. 
• Any supervisor or employee who has questions about the non-compliance of the mask requirement for employees, please contact LaborRelations@uakron.edu. 

Report COVID test, symptoms or exposure

About Student Health Services

Located in the Recreation Center (map), Student Health Services is staffed by certified family nurse practitioners. Appointments are available for degree-seeking students and University employees.

Where to get assistance

Affording the semester

Help-A-Zip: Help for students struggling with academics, mental health, finances or adjustment to college. Make a referral or request help for yourself.

ZipAssist: Hub for student support and assistance

Campus Cupboard: Providing students in periodic need with access to the basic necessities of daily living.

Technology needs holding you back?

Students in need of technology (laptop, webcam, etc.) to complete their classes are encouraged to visit Bierce Library and reserve a device https://www.uakron.edu/libraries/services/

Equipment (such as laptops, Chromebooks, webcams and hot spots) are available for the duration of the semester. 

Students in need of internet should also check out a federal broadband assistance program. Qualified households experiencing pandemic-related hardships may be eligible for up to $50 of their monthly broadband charges through this program. Learn more about the Emergency Broadband Benefit.

If you are concerned about your ability to be successful in an online course, please feel free to submit a Help-A-Zip referral. Our team will work with you to offer resources.

For meetings and events that necessitate being in person, departments and student organizations are required to follow these guidelines. 
Departments and student organizations are required to meet the following guidelines to promote healthy behaviors to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Adherence to federal, state and local public health requirements. 
• Adherence to the University's policies for masks as posted elsewhere on this page. 

Before your event

• In marketing materials, require staff, volunteers and attendees to stay home if they do not feel well or have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Asymptomatic individuals that had direct contact with an individual diagnosed with or suspected to have COVID-19 should follow the masking and other guidance located under the Quarantine and Isolation section of this website. Continue to share event expectations so that attendees will be prepared for your event. 

During your event

Provide hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol near the event entrance and exits. 

Info for anyone traveling out of Akron:

Travel policy for students, faculty and staff traveling out of Akron and the United States

For non-U.S. students coming to Akron, see arrival details for those traveling from abroad.

For non-U.S. students coming to Akron:

See arrival details for those traveling to Akron from abroad

For those traveling OUT of the United States see UA's international travel policy for those traveling abroad.

• Reports about expenditures for coronavirus relief funds allocated to UA