UMass Boston

The following are UMass Boston's official COVID-19 policies, last updated May 5, 2023. 

Vaccination Policy

As of July 1, 2023, the University is suspending its vaccine requirement and transitioning to strongly recommending the vaccine for all students, staff, faculty, and visitors. Boosters continue to be strongly recommended, when individuals are eligible.

Face Covering Policy

UMass Boston currently has a mask optional policy in all spaces on campus, except for in University Health Services (UHS). Within UHS, patients who have respiratory symptoms or fever must wear a face mask. 

Please note the following:

• Masks are welcomed and encouraged on campus.
• Anyone completing isolation or quarantine should continue to wear a high quality mask for the full 10 days.

Please continue to be vigilant in closely monitoring your own health and symptoms. If you feel symptoms, please stay home and get tested.

We will continue to make antigen tests and masks available at University Health Services (Quinn, second floor).

Isolation and Quarantine

Isolation: Individuals testing positive must isolate for a minimum of 5 days. Isolation may end on day 6 or later when the individual is asymptomatic or if the individual is fever free for 24 hours and symptoms are improving. Any individual testing positive whose isolation ends prior to 10 days must mask at all times while on campus. This means that removing your mask for eating or drinking is NOT permitted within 10 days of the initial positive.  

Quarantine: After a known exposure to the virus, individuals should wear a high quality mask for 10 days and should get tested on day 5. Symptom monitoring during this time is critical.  

Hygiene and Daily Health Screening

We will continue to clean high touch surfaces and common areas and encourage use of hand washing and hand sanitizer and other routine hygiene practices that promote good health. In addition, all students and employees are encouraged to monitor their own health daily. Students, staff, and faculty are asked to review the daily check list prior to coming to campus each day. 

Event and Visitor Guidance

In general, all campus safety protocols apply to visitors and events. This means that we expect each visitor to adhere to University requirements for masking and/or vaccination.  Currently, masks are welcomed on campus, but not required.  As of July 1, 2023, vaccinations and boosters (if eligible) are strongly encouraged, but not required.  We also recommend that visitors complete a daily symptom self-check.