Health and Safety Recommendations for Winter Recess

As members of the Harvard community depart campus to gather with family and friends, remember to continue taking steps to protect yourselves, your colleagues, and your loved ones from COVID-19 as well as other circulating respiratory illness—like RSV and influenza. Influenza activity in the U.S. has been elevated for several weeks, much earlier than in typical years. 

Masking is still a valuable and effective method to prevent respiratory infection.
Though no longer mandatory on campus, except in the required clinical areas, wearing a face mask lowers your risk of getting ill. Consider wearing a face covering, especially in crowded settings or if you will be visiting vulnerable loved ones this holiday season.  

Stock up on antigen tests. Test before attending gatherings. 
If you plan to attend crowded indoor gatherings—like a concert or a family dinner—take an at-home antigen test in advance regardless of whether you have symptoms. 

Students and dependents enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan can find information on obtaining free antigen tests here; employees covered under the University’s Express Scripts program can follow these instructions. If you have a different health plan, check with your insurance carrier.  

Practice proper hand hygiene and socialize thoughtfully.  
Be sure to cleanse your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before eating and after using the bathroom. Do not attend events if you are ill or if you test positive for COVID-19.  

Do not attend events if you are ill; seek treatment if you test positive.  
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, take an at-home antigen test and stay home if positive; if negative, mask if you must be around others, and re-test in two days if symptoms continue.  

If you test positive for the virus and are at higher risk of COVID-19-related complications, consider taking an antiviral. These medications help to reduce your COVID symptoms and prevent hospitalization. Massachusetts offers a free telehealth service for Paxlovid prescriptions.