Vanderbilt University will temporarily reinstate indoor masking protocols as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently upgraded Davidson County’s COVID community level to “high” due to rising hospitalization numbers. Throughout the pandemic, the university has followed the latest scientific updates and developed its plans in close consultation with experts at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, as well as national, state and local public health officials. VUMC recently reinstated masking protocols as well.
Campus community members and visitors, including those on campus for camps and conferences, are expected to follow these protocols until the CDC lowers Davidson County’s COVID community level to medium or the university announces otherwise.
The masking protocols are as follows:
- Wear a mask indoors if you cannot maintain 6 feet of physical distancing from others.
- Masking is not required when in residential rooms, alone in private spaces or offices, or outdoors.
Departments and campus areas can request masks if needed by contacting the Facilities Department.
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to avoid eating around others, if possible, to help prevent the spread of COVID.
If you have a special circumstance that needs to be discussed, you are encouraged to contact the director of your program or your supervisor.
COVID testing and vaccination reminders
Symptomatic testing is available at the following locations:
- Student Health is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for Vanderbilt University students. Travel testing for Vanderbilt University students is also available through SHC. Please consult their website for more information.
- Occupational Health Express Care is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., for Vanderbilt University faculty, staff or postdocs. The Occupational Health Clinic is in Suite 112 on the first floor of the Medical Arts Building. Work-related travel testing is also available at OHC; contact OHC for information.
- Vanderbilt Health Walk-In Clinics noted here and the Vanderbilt Health Clinics at Walgreens noted here offer COVID-19 testing.
- More information on testing options through VUMC can be found here.
Free rapid antigen at-home kits are available for the Vanderbilt community (students, faculty, staff, postdocs) for pickup at the following location on campus:
- Sarratt 310: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays.
Rapid tests that you can do at home may also be available at retail locations and are partially covered by Vanderbilt insurance.
COVID vaccinations and boosters are available through Student Health, Occupational Health, VUMC and community clinic locations. More information can be found here.
Report your positive test result to the Public Health Central Command Center. Information about what to do if you receive a positive test result or are identified as a close contact can be found on the Health and Safety Protocols website.