Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

The COVID-19 virus is spread mainly from person-to-person, through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. There may also be instances of spreading when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touches their mouth, nose or eyes.

How long after exposure does it take for symptoms to appear?

• Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure, and may include:
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

The quickest and safest way to minimize your risk of contracting COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. Additional measures to reduce your risk of infection include the following guidelines for good health:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough and/or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for wearing a mask or other approved face coverings.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Yes, students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated to attend in-person classes and activities at St. Joseph's University. The University will continue to require that all students and employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive the COVID-19 booster when they are eligible.

For more information, view our COVID-19 immunization policy.

Fully online students are exempt from this policy. However, any fully online student who comes to campus and/or any of our offsite facilities will be required to show proof of vaccination before being allowed to enter the premises.

Yes, all in-person University employees are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and the COVID-19 booster when they are eligible.

Instructions on submitting proof of vaccination are sent to students via email prior to established deadlines.

All new incoming students must submit proof of completed vaccination by August 5, 2022, or one week after a student has registered for classes (when applicable, e.g., late registrants).

Students must receive their first dose of either the Pfizer-BioTech COVID-19 vaccine or an FDA-authorized-for-emergency-use vaccine no later than August 5, 2022, or one week after you register for classes (when applicable, e.g., late registrants). Any student who fails to submit the required documentation with proof of vaccination will be contacted and reminded of the requirement. Non-compliance with this policy will prevent you from being permitted on campus, which may also impact your enrollment in classes.

To find a vaccination center near you, please use the following links below:

• Nationwide
• New York City
• New York State

Yes, students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated to attend in-person classes and activities at St. Joseph's University. The University will continue to require that all students and employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive the COVID-19 booster when they are eligible.

Medical and religious exemptions will be submitted as instructed in keeping with the exemption process outlined in the University’s immunization protocols. Students who wish to request an exemption must do so no later than August 5, 2022, or one week after you register for classes (when applicable, e.g., late registrants), per the instructions sent to their St. Joseph's University email account prior to the established deadlines.

All new incoming students, if booster shot eligible, must submit proof of completed vaccination by August 5, 2022, or one week after a student has registered for classes (when applicable, e.g., late registrants). Instructions on submitting proof are sent to students via email prior to established deadlines.

Unvaccinated students who have not completed their full series of vaccination by the required deadline may not be allowed on campus unless granted a medical or religious exemption or a special circumstances extension by the University. Examples of students who might be considered for a special circumstances extension include an international or out of state student, whose travel to campus has prevented them from meeting the established timeline or a student who enrolled at the University close to or after the established timeline. Please note that special circumstances exemptions will only be awarded for case-by-case situations and then only on a temporary basis. Unvaccinated students are also required to participate in surveillance testing (please see below for information about surveillance testing).

The mask mandate has been lifted as of Wednesday, March 2. Masks are optional in all St. Joseph's University facilities. It is understood that some individuals will still want to continue wearing masks and the University is supportive of that.

Masks and face coverings are optional for all members of the St. Joseph's University community. The University follows CDC guidance on what is considered an acceptable mask; gaiters, buffs, bandanas and face shields are not acceptable face coverings.