Coronavirus Information

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause respiratory illnesses such as the common cold or more severe illnesses. The coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China had not been previously detected in humans or animals and much is still unknown about it. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

Rutgers convened the COVID-19 Task Force under the Office of Emergency Management to develop plans that anticipate probable scenarios of COVID-19’s effect on the university. The situation continues to evolve and remains fluid.

Recent Announcements

January 4, 2022
Significant Changes Related to COVID-19

The data and the science surrounding the surge in COVID-19 cases, and the dramatic spread of the Omicron variant, require that we adapt to the evolving situation. To do so, we are implementing appropriate contingency plans that rely on today's best available information and expertise so that we may continue to manage the impact of this virus at the university. Plans include in-person classes temporarily converting to remote classes through January 30; employee telecommuting extended through January 30; booster requirements for students and employees; housing and dining services changes; event and athletic event changes; and more. Read the announcement for full details.

December 20, 2021
Update on COVID-19 Protocols and Change in Operating Status

With the Omicron variant now upon us, decisions have been made to safeguard the health and safety of our community. From January 3 to 9, 2022, the university, all clinics, and research operations will remain open. If possible, telecommuting in accordance with the updated Telecommuting Policy relaxation is encouraged. Employees deemed essential should report as scheduled unless otherwise notified. Beginning January 3, 2022, any employee required to work on campus may access free weekly testing at the university through January 31, 2022.

All in-person or hybrid events scheduled from December 23, 2021, through January 31, 2022, should be moved to entirely virtual platforms, postponed, or canceled. Information concerning athletic events will be released as decisions are made.

December 17, 2021
COVID Testing from State of NJ

The State of New Jersey and Vault Medical Services have partnered to offer at-home COVID-19 saliva testing at no cost.

December 9, 2021
COVID Booster Guidance

COVID-19 vaccination boosters are recommended by the CDC for all who are eligible. Rutgers is a vaccine administration site and offers boosters at no cost at our three campus clinics.

December 8, 2021
Vaccine Deadline for All Rutgers Employees Remains in Effect

The current requirement for all Rutgers faculty and staff to obtain their final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by January 4, 2022, remains unchanged. The U.S. District Court in Georgia temporarily halted enforcement of President Biden's Executive Order 14042. Rutgers, however, continues to require all employees be vaccinated and offers COVID-19 vaccines to eligible individuals at campus clinics.

December 3, 2021
Update on Telecommuting Policy Relaxation

As part of the university's continued commitment to the health and safety of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rutgers has extended until June 30, 2022, the relaxation of Section II (A) of Policy 60.3.22 Alternative Work Arrangements and Telecommuting for Regularly Appointed Staff with regard to who is eligible to telecommute. All other policy provisions are no longer relaxed effective December 31, 2021.

November 8, 2021
New Deadline to Comply With Federal Order Requiring Coronavirus Vaccines

President Joe Biden signed an executive order that requires vaccination against COVID-19 for certain employees of federal contractors like Rutgers. To ensure compliance with this executive order, all Rutgers employees must now receive their final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by January 4, 2022.  Learn more details on the COVID-19 Vaccine page and read the FAQ.

October 25, 2021
President Biden's Executive Order Requiring Coronavirus Vaccine

On September 9, 2021, President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14042, which requires vaccination against COVID-19 for certain employees of federal contractors, like Rutgers. In order to comply with this executive order, as well as the subsequent guidance issued by the Federal Worker Safety Task Force, all Rutgers employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Recent Announcements

August 30, 2021
Navigating Our Classrooms and Student Spaces

Rutgers offers a quick reference guide for faculty and students on classrooms, residence halls, libraries, and other campus spaces including a high-level view of information pertaining to transportation, face coverings, spaces, vaccination, and testing.

August 27, 2021
Update to the Guide to Returning to Rutgers – 8/27/21

Rutgers community members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the details in this updated version of the guide, which reflects the most recent public health guidelines.

August 25, 2021
Final Weekly Message on Preparations for Fall Semester

As the semester approaches, President Holloway hopes the FDA's vaccine approval and Governor Murphy's state worker mandate will encourage increased vaccinations among the small percentage of unvaccinated Rutgers employees.

August 18, 2021
My Weekly Message on Fall Planning: Vaccination Rates and Town Halls

President Holloway provides an update on the fall semester as we prepare for a safe and full return to campus, including our students achieving a 99.5 percent rate of compliance with our COVID vaccination requirement with a small cohort receiving exemptions.

August 17, 2021
Libraries' Stacks to Open on August 23

Rutgers University Libraries will resume access to the stacks at all libraries beginning Monday, August 23, with some modifications to services for accessing print collections and following all safety protocols established by the university.

August 11, 2021
Our Continued Plans for a Rewarding and Safe Fall Semester

President Holloway writes that with high vaccination rates against COVID-19 and continued safety measures in place, Rutgers is committed to keeping the university community healthy as we prepare for the fall semester.

March 25, 2021
Our Path Forward – COVID-19 Vaccination and the Fall Term

Moving toward a return to pre-pandemic normal, the university announces that students planning to attend Rutgers in Fall 2021 will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

March 22, 2021
Extension of Prohibition of Indoor and Outdoor Events

Rutgers' current prohibition of indoor and outdoor events at all university locations will remain in force through April 30, 2021.

March 4, 2021
A Moment to Commemorate Tragedy and Commitment

A year ago today, the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus was detected in New Jersey. From the beginning, Rutgers has been on the front lines, using the full power of its science, innovation, and determination to help make the world well again.

March 3, 2021
COVID-19 Telecommuting – Extended through April 30, 2021

In order to continue to support social distancing, the telecommuting rule relaxation policy set to expire on March 31, 2021 has been extended through April 30, 2021.

March 2, 2021
Discouraging Spring Break Travel

Rutgers reminds community members that the State of New Jersey's travel recommendations continue to strongly discourage all non-essential interstate travel – even for individuals who are fully vaccinated, even if it's spring break.

February 2, 2021
Quick Reference Guide, Guiding Principles & Expectations

Rutgers releases a Quick Reference Guide to help managers facilitate the planning process for repopulating the campuses in fall 2021, and emphasizes that the conditions under which we be able to repopulate: our planning and return is reliant on, but not limited to, wide availability of vaccine, a significant decrease in transmission rates, and continued strict adherence to all public safety guidelines. 

February 2, 2021
Quick Reference Guide, Guiding Principles & Expectations

Rutgers releases a Quick Reference Guide to help managers facilitate the planning process for repopulating the campuses in fall 2021, and emphasizes that the conditions under which we be able to repopulate: our planning and return is reliant on, but not limited to, wide availability of vaccine, a significant decrease in transmission rates, and continued strict adherence to all public safety guidelines. 

January 22, 2021
President's Monthly Update: Returning to Campus This Fall, and Vaccine's Critical Role

Our plans for repopulating our campuses for fall 2021 will be in step with state and federal guidelines to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff. Central to these expectations is the progress we can make in vaccination against COVID-19. You will be hearing more about these plans from our chancellors and provosts in the near future. Watch the video Our Path Forward: A Conversation on the COVID-19 Vaccine and Campus Repopulation Efforts for more information.

January 15, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Expansion and Resources

New Jersey expanded the eligibility guidelines for COVID-19 vaccinations; detailed information on the rollout phases, vaccine safety, eligibility, and registration is available on New Jersey's COVID-19 Vaccine site. Understanding that the vaccine rollout is fluid, we urge everyone to visit this state resource on a regular basis.

January 11, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The COVID-19 vaccine is coordinated, controlled, and distributed by the State of New Jersey, and the state is currently in phase 1A distribution (health care workers and long-term care facilities) and partial phase 1B (sworn police officers and firefighters). Rutgers frontline workers are being vaccinated through our hospital partners. Currently, Rutgers does not have vaccines to vaccinate its community; however, the university will look to offer the vaccine when authorized to do so.

December 31, 2020
Temporary Expansion of Permissible Use of Accrued Paid Sick Time for COVID-19 Related Self-Quarantine, School Closure, Place of Child Care Closure, or Lack of Availability of Child Care
In recognition of the continued need to navigate the COVID-19 public health emergency, to increase public safety, and to protect employees and the university community, Rutgers announces that it is temporarily expanding the reasons that employees may use earned sick time.

December 30, 2020
Important Information Regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine
A paid or unpaid person serving in a health care setting who has the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine now as part of phase 1A of the state's COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Learn more about the phase 1A vaccination process, obtain a list of New Jersey vaccine sites for health care workers, and get answers to COVID-19 vaccine questions.

December 15, 2020
Increasing Rutgers COVID19 Testing Frequency

The university's Testing Protocol Action Group increases testing frequency among groups previously approved for testing through our targeted testing strategy. Completion of SARS-CoV-2 testing for groups and individuals previously approved for testing will be expected on a weekly basis effective December 14. Employees and students who are regularly present on campus should inform Occupational Health or Student Health if they test positive for COVID-19.

December 4, 2020
Updated Quarantine and Travel Guidance

As part of Rutgers' continuing efforts to protect our employees, students, patients, and their families during the pandemic, the university updated quarantine and travel recommendations for all Rutgers employees.

November 25, 2020
Providing an Option to Undergraduate Students for Fall 2020 Grades

Rutgers announces an alternative grading option for undergraduate students. Students may apply to change any course from letter grading to Pass/No Credit grading. Further details for the opt-in process for fall 2020 grades will be forthcoming from campus provosts and chancellors in early December.

November 20, 2020
COVID-19 Telecommuting–Extended through March 31, 2021

In order to continue to support social distancing, Rutgers extends the telecommuting rule relaxation policy set to expire on December 31, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

Our Plans for Fall 2020

September 22, 2020
Planning for the Spring Semester

President Jonathan Holloway has announced that detailed plans for the spring semester will be made public by the chancellors in the coming weeks.

International Travel Advisory

The university has instituted an additional requirement to prohibit Rutgers employees and students from returning to campus for fourteen days after travel to one of the countries or territories on the CDC's Level 3 Travel Advisory List.

September 8, 2020
COVID Observation Reporting Form

Rutgers unveils the COVID Observation Reporting Form for reporting non-emergency violations of the university safety guidelines.

September 3, 2020
Rutgers University Return to Campus Survey

Faculty and staff—whether working remotely, on campus, or a hybrid schedule—are asked to complete the Return to Campus survey by September 14. Survey results will aid in policies, procedures, and services developed to respond to employee needs. Take the 5- to 10-minute survey.

August 27, 2020
Rutgers COVID-19 Testing Program Dashboard

The summary results of Rutgers' testing program are available for review on the testing program dashboard. Our positivity rates remain very low, especially compared to our colleagues in other universities.

August 19, 2020
Returning to Rutgers—Institutional Plan for Restart

Rutgers has submitted this comprehensive restart plan to the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE).

August 6, 2020
Rutgers COVID-19 Testing Strategy

Rutgers has developed a testing strategy that utilizes risk assessments to prioritize testing as part of a return-to-campus program.

Recent Announcements

Returning to Research: Guidelines, Process, FAQs (June 29, 2020)

Returning to Rutgers, FAQs (June 19, 2020)

COVID-19 Telecommuting – Extended through August 31, 2020 (June 19, 2020)

Additional announcements can be found on the Communications page.

Updated June 9, 2020, 11:05 a.m.

Campus Operating Status

Rutgers is open. Some services and facilities may not be operating or may be operating on limited schedules. Click on the following links for up-to-date information at:

Rutgers University–Camden, Rutgers University–Newark, Rutgers University–New Brunswick, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences

Planning for Fall 2020

An Update on COVID-19 Planning at Rutgers

May 13, 2020

Members of the Rutgers Community:

I hope this message finds you in good health and in good spirits. I am writing today to provide you with an update on the University’s preparations for a gradual return to campus and to inform you about our developing plans for fall instruction.

We are all focused on reimagining our university as we navigate the many unknowns of our current situation. The complexity of our federal and state responses to the virus, the uncertain progression of the pandemic, and the unpredictable pace of developing vaccines and therapeutics mean that we cannot yet make definitive statements about specific plans.

As we look to the fall semester, our planning teams are working closely with incoming president Jonathan Holloway in developing plans that prioritize community health and safety, that ensure robust academic offerings, and that further our essential mission of teaching, research, and service. Our overarching goal is that Rutgers operates with the excellence of the academic experience you rightly expect.

A preliminary plan for returning to campus will be shared with our community in the coming weeks. That plan will outline the safety requirements and the process for preparing our facilities and our employees to return to work safely.

All of our plans for returning to our campuses rely on social distancing, augmented by our growing capacity to test for the presence of the virus and for previous virus exposure, and conducting contact tracing when new positive cases are identified. We are fortunate that some of the most important advances in COVID-19 testing in the country have occurred here at Rutgers, and we are well-positioned to facilitate robust testing, tracking, and tracing.

At RBHS, Rutgers Health has already begun to expand in-person ambulatory service delivery. As in most areas of the country, elective procedures were suspended at the outset of the outbreak to free up all available resources for COVID-19 patients. As inpatient capacity becomes available again, non-urgent procedures are now being re-scheduled. Outpatient activity will increase with social distancing, and continuing travel restrictions will necessitate reliance on telemedicine as a major means of delivering care.

Since the pandemic outbreak, our research enterprise has been limited to only the most critical activities. In consultation with our faculty, we have developed plans to reopen laboratory research activities in a staged manner, allowing new safety protocols for social distancing, environmental hygiene, and cleaning. The goal for this plan is to have a majority of on-campus research activity functioning by August 1. We will share these plans with the broader research community within the next two weeks.

Research activity is closely linked with the training of graduate students, and a careful analysis is in progress on methods that will enable timely completion for graduate students who rely upon campus resources.

Of utmost importance, a rigorous, thoughtful planning process involving the faculty and faculty leadership is under way for undergraduate education. Since the COVID-19 landscape is still fluid, a number of scenarios for the fall are being actively considered. These include:

• A traditional in-person opening to the academic year, with minimal adjustments;
• Beginning the fall in a hybrid state, where some activities can be held in-person, but where state or federal guidelines still limit gatherings and business operations;
• Beginning the fall remotely, while transitioning to a more traditional operating model during the term; and
• A full remote semester.

While our preference might envision Rutgers classes to be in-person and for our dorms to be occupied at the start of the fall semester, the most likely scenario at this point is a hybrid model of in-person and remote education. The degree to which we can operate fully in-person will depend on the course of the pandemic and on the federal and state requirements that remain in place to mitigate the virus.

Our planning process prioritizes student, faculty, and staff safety, and is focused on the creative uses of academic spaces to accommodate in-person instruction, the specific needs of certain disciplines such as music and the performing arts for campus infrastructure, and the need for models that allow for a combination of face-to-face, remote synchronous instruction and asynchronous remote engagement.

Please recognize that the final decisions regarding many of these issues can only be made as more information becomes available over the next 6 to 8 weeks. If there is one thing this pandemic has taught us at home, in our communities, and at Rutgers, it is that we must be flexible and be prepared to adjust.  In light of this necessity, we ask for your understanding and patience.

Students, please know that Rutgers will be prepared for whatever scenario comes, and that we will do everything we can as an institution to see you, in-person, in the fall.

I look forward to sharing more information in the next few weeks, and in the meantime, I wish you and your families good health.

Sincerely,

Robert Barchi

Dear RBHS Colleagues:

During this time of unprecedented interruptions, we commend the RBHS faculty, learners, and staff for their resiliency, creativity, and flexibility while they maintain and continue one of our signature missions as an academic health center: research. 

Although certain wet lab-based activities are by necessity reduced in scope and scale, we have the ability to pursue our mission through creative avenues that many of you are already undertaking. This is essential as we prepare for the eventual full operation of our research enterprise, and continue to grow the RBHS research discoveries for the future. We are actively working on measures that will permit the gradual return of the research workforce, particularly the wet-lab graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, staff, and faculty who have suffered the most interruption of their research efforts. In collaboration with the Rutgers Emergency Operations Committee, we hope to unveil a program in the near future.

While support from some funding agencies may be on hold, NIH remains fully funded. This is an ideal time to submit an extra NIH grant, for your next project(s).  Further, funding opportunities for many new and diverse COVID-19 research projects are available from several NIH Institutes. Dry bench research, manuscript submission (original, reviews, commentaries), data analysis, grant writing and development of new collaborations offer fertile opportunities for ongoing and new explorations. For those less familiar with dry-bench research, we encourage you to consider resources including the Rutgers University Biostatistics and Epidemiology Services Center (RUBIES), and the variety of services offered through the New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science including the Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design Core, the Community Engagement Core, and data sets available through the Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research.

Related to COVID-19 research, we are delighted that the Rutgers University (RU) Center for COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness (CCRP2) has launched and is serving as an important hub for such efforts. We extend our appreciation to the Center Director (Dr. David Alland) and associate director (Dr. Henry Raymond), in addition to Drs. Amariliz Rivera and Jason Yang who are overseeing essential operations of CCRP2. As a testament to the amazing grassroots interest in COVID-19 related research, the recent pilot grant RFA garnered 97 applications; they will be reviewed shortly. These applications, coming from across RU, cover the entire spectrum of Basic and Translational Science, Clinical Trials, Diagnostics, Environmental and PPE Contamination, Public Health / Epidemiology, and Technology Development / Resource Building, Therapeutics, and Vaccine Development. We are actively working to raise funds to enhance COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related research support.

As you continue planning and performing your important research across disciplines, please remember to keep abreast of funding opportunities that are distributed by RU. Also, if you aren’t already subscribed, you can consider linking with the NIH regular listserv for funding opportunities and with the helpful NIH-related updates provided in the NIH Open Mike blog. There are several additional federal and nonfederal funding opportunities that we plan to circulate on a regular basis.

While devastating, this pandemic may bring us together in ways that we had not previously considered, growing our research efforts in both breadth and depth and creating new and productive collaborations. We are reminded by the example Sir Isaac Newton set, with some of his most impactful discoveries made while working at home during the Great Plague of London. As Christine Caine is quoted, “When we feed our faith, we starve out doubts.” We salute and thank you for your patience and for making the best of this situation, and relay our heartfelt appreciation to our healthcare workers who are risking their lives for our safety.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Scotto, Vice Chancellor for Research, RBHS
Bishr Omary, Senior Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs and Research, RBHS
Brian Strom, Chancellor, RBHS

Recent Announcements

Summer Courses and Activities

The only University-sponsored courses/programs/activities that will take place this summer on the Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick campuses will be done via remote technology. There will be no in-person classes, programs, camps, conferences or other activities through at least August 14. Information related to fall orientations and intercollegiate pre-season athletic activity will be forthcoming. This cancellation does not apply to RBHS clinical programs and activities; please check with the relevant RBHS office to ascertain the status of RBHS summer programs, courses, and activities.

Read the full message from April 2 about summer courses and activities.

Recent Announcements

Summer Session 2020 Is on Track

Barbara Lee, senior vice president for Academic Affairs, announced that the 2020 Rutgers summer session will proceed as scheduled. Because of the spread of the COVID-19 virus, instruction for all courses will be offered remotely. Registration is open.

Read the full message from March 26 about summer classes.

Updated March 24, 2020, 4:00 p.m.

Change in Admittance Procedures for All Rutgers Libraries 

Effective March 17, 2020, admittance to all Rutgers University Libraries will be limited only to users with current Rutgers IDs.  

While this decision was not made lightly, the Libraries have an important responsibility to ensure that our students, staff, and faculty have healthy environments in which to learn and to work. As popular gathering spaces in our local communities, the Libraries must take into consideration the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State of New Jersey, and Rutgers University to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19. This includes adopting best practices for social distancing and limiting the amount of people who can occupy their physical locations at any given time. 

For the latest updates on library services and support during this period, please visit libraries.rutgers.edu/covid-19. 

Updated March 20, 2020

Update on Leave and Telecommuting

As part of our continued efforts to advance measures to support the health and well-being of our community, the university has formalized the COVID-19 Telecommuting and COVID-19 Paid Leave (CPL) process and guidelines.  These guidelines are effective immediately and will be in place through April 30, 2020.  These measures are in concert with guidance provided by the State.

Read about the guidelines in Senior Vice President for Human Resources & Organizational Effectiveness Vivian Fernández’s message to the University Community.

Updated March 18, 2020, 4:24 p.m.

Operating Status of Rutgers Libraries:

We understand questions have been raised about the decision to keep Rutgers libraries open to our students. The primary reason the libraries are open is that the libraries are essential to educating our students while the university remains open and operating.

The libraries are critical to our ability to meet the directive in Executive Order 104 that mandates that all in-person classes at all universities be suspended and converted to online instruction. The university libraries, located across all campuses and throughout the state, provide access to the internet through nearly 1,000 computer terminals. Access to the internet through these computers is essential for students who for economic or other reasons do not have access to the internet in their homes.

Read the full message with the steps Rutgers has taken to provide library access to students with the health and best interests of our staff, students, and faculty foremost.

Important Update on Courses, Events, and Commencement:

President Robert Barchi announced Rutgers is suspending all in-person instruction, with the exception of clinical instruction, for the remainder of the spring semester. The president also announced all events scheduled at the university through the month of May are suspended, including Rutgers Day and commencement ceremonies at all campuses.

Read the president’s full message from March 17, which also provides information on room and board, and support for academic continuity, research continuity, telecommuting, and leave flexibility for issues related to COVID-19.

Announcements:

Operating Status of Rutgers Libraries (March 18, 2020)

Important Update on Courses, Events, and Commencement (March 17, 2020)

Message to Rutgers Alumni and Friends (March 17, 2020)

Card Access Changes on Campus (March 17, 2020)

Rutgers University–Newark Update from Chancellor Cantor (March 16, 2020)

Update on COVID-19 at Rutgers (March 15, 2020)

Food Availability through April 3 at Rutgers University–New Brunswick UPDATED (March 15, 2020)

Additional announcements can be found on the Communications page.

Impact to NJMS

In accordance with Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School is closely monitoring developments related to COVID-19 (coronavirus), and its impact on our community. The university is providing updates via a dedicated website, coronavirus.rutgers.edu.  

Please visit the following pages for pertinent information for key members of our community.

Students/Parents

Faculty/Staff

Additional resources