Important Public Health Updates

1. Updates to public health guidelines:
   1. Only surgical masks+ are acceptable inside Columbia facilities.
   2. Shortened isolation for COVID-positive individuals. If a close contact, there is variable quarantine times and testing depending on vaccination status.
   3. Columbia is no longer conducting contact tracing, in line with New York State recommendations. Focus is on providing support to those who test positive.
2. COVID-19 vaccine boosters are due Jan. 31 or within 31 days upon reaching eligibility. Documentation to be submitted to the Columbia Health Patient Portal (step-by-step instructions).
   1. Only FDA-authorized vaccines are accepted for the booster dose. WHO-authorized vaccines are NOT accepted as a booster dose.
   2. Students who received a non-FDA-authorized primary vaccine must receive a Pfizer booster.
   3. Students (especially those who are abroad) who recently had COVID and cannot get a booster due to doctor or country health rules must submit a medical exemption request.
   4. More information available on the booster compliance page.
3. Gateway testing period extended to Feb. 4.
   1. Specific requirements depending on student status. If arriving on campus after February 4, students must schedule according to the requirement. As a reminder, the gateway period refers to the fact that COVID testing status will NOT affect redpass. After Feb. 4, students will get a redpass until the testing requirement is completed (app updates within 72 hrs), hence the recommendation to complete it within the gateway period, if they are already in NYC.
   2. Please encourage students to schedule on the Columbia Health Patient Portal ahead of planned arrival to ensure they have an appointment. Appointments open 7-10 days in advance.
   3. Only tests performed at a Columbia site count for a gateway test, except if positive PCR test was reported. See below.
   4. Local PCR testing prior to campus arrival is strongly recommended.
4. Report off-campus positive PCR tests within 48 hours (counts as gateway requirement).
   1. Individuals with a positive PCR test (through the testing program or an external, reported PCR test) are not permitted to re-test at Columbia within 90 days of the positive test. This is in line with CDC recommendations.

Student Resources

Emergency Resources