Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Information

While Lesley strongly encourages community members to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, we no longer require vaccinations. 

• Based on your personal risk assessment, we strongly encourage you to be up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination. The CDC now recommends one updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine.
• Please consult the CDC website or your physician for your personal risk assessment. 

• No Required Testing: Lesley is not requiring testing for participation in university activities or housing.   
• Rapid Tests Available on Campus: Lesley community members who are taking courses or working on campus may obtain rapid tests on campus through Public Safety (all students, faculty and staff) and the Student Health Service (residential students) if they are symptomatic or believe they have been exposed.

• Lesley has an optional mask policy.
• Anyone who wishes to wear a mask should feel free to do so in any setting.
• Anyone who wishes for others to wear a mask in their classrooms or office spaces should feel to require that.  It is important to respect the individual choices our community members make regarding personal health decisions.

• Immediately notify your manager and email COVID_Update@lesley.edu.
• Contact your doctor for guidance.
• Isolate in your home and do not come to campus
  • until your symptoms are improving. This is a change from the prior CDC recommendations to maintain 5 days of isolation. With these guidelines, the period of isolation can be more or less than 5 days, depending on the time your symptoms take to improve.
  • until at least 24 hours have passed with no fever (without the use of fever reducing medications).
  • until you take additional precautions for a period of 5 days including wearing a well-fitting mask while around others. See CDC website for additional precautions and FAQs regarding respiratory viruses including COVID-19.
• If you are a residential student:
  • Immediately notify COVID_Update@lesley.edu and the Office of Residence Life.
  • Consult your physician or other healthcare provider.
  • Please isolate at home off campus if feasible. If this is not possible, remain in your assigned living space and follow the CDC guidance for isolation (see CDC updated guidance on precautions for respiratory viruses including COVID-19.
  • Maintain isolation until your symptoms are improving and you’re without fever for at least 24 hours off fever reducing medications.
  • You will be able to leave your room to pick up food from the dining hall to take back to your room and to seek medical assistance.
  • If you have a roommate, as you would anytime you or your roommate might become ill, be considerate – let them get rest and sleep, and do your best to minimize disturbances.
  • Wear a well-fitting mask when around others indoors or outdoors during your isolation period and for five days after the isolation period. Note that the isolation period is the time it takes for your symptoms to improve.
  • Notify your advisor and instructors (for students) or supervisor (for employees) that you will be unable to come to class for a period of time.

If you are a residential student and your roommate has COVID-19 and is isolating in the residence hall room, please see the instructions elsewhere on this webpage, wear a mask, and contact the Student Health Service or the Office of Residence Life if you have any questions.  

Please notify your close contacts, including your personal close contacts and your on-campus close contacts, if you have COVID-19.

• If you are sick with a respiratory illness, which may include symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, fever, cough — isolate as above and contact your physician for advice.
• Employees should avail themselves of the paid sick leave benefits available to them or switch to remote working options to the extent feasible.
• Students who feel sick must be in immediate and regular communication with their advisors and faculty members to discuss alternate plans. Residential students may also contact the Student Health Service. Commuter students should contact their primary care providers for additional advice.

Please do not come to campus if you

• have symptoms of a respiratory illness or have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the common cold, or flu.
• are a caretaker for a household member with COVID-19.
• follow advice above for symptoms of a respiratory illness including COVID 19.