No, MIT’s quarantine policies have not changed.
Many people within the MIT community have asked us about the CDC’s recently updated public health recommendations, which relax quarantine guidelines for individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 within the previous three months. The new recommendations would allow those individuals to skip quarantine in the case of a possible exposure to the virus.
However, MIT follows guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), and because the Commonwealth’s guidelines have not yet been modified, MIT’s testing and quarantine policies have not changed.
Do I have to follow the MIT travel policy if I have received a COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes. At this time, everyone must continue to follow the state’s travel order and MIT’s travel policy.
If I’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19, do I still have to quarantine if I am identified as a close contact to someone who tests positive?
Yes. We do not yet know how long the COVID-19 vaccines provide protection from getting sick or whether the vaccines also prevent people from spreading COVID-19. According to DPH, this guideline may change as we learn more about how the vaccine works. The percentage of vaccinated people and measures of how the virus is spreading in communities will also affect any decision to change this policy.
Do I need to continue taking precautions like wearing a mask and socially distancing after I have been fully vaccinated?
Yes. While we know that the COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping people from becoming ill with COVID-19, we do not yet know if the vaccine will prevent people from transmitting the virus. Until we learn more, it is important that we continue to take precautions to protect our community.
