Dear Members of the George Washington University Community,
With the expiration on Thursday of the federal government’s COVID-19 public health emergency, we are modifying GW’s COVID-19 requirements and operations.
After a thorough assessment of the current state of COVID-19, the university strongly recommends, but will no longer require, vaccination for all community members. We urge everyone to stay up to date with the latest booster or new vaccination recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The current recommendation is for the primary series of an original monovalent mRNA vaccine plus a booster dose or a single bivalent mRNA vaccine dose. We continue to ask that those who are vaccinated and have not previously provided documentation to do so in the medical portal.
Additionally, the university will begin to wind down our campus COVID-19 testing operation. This process will occur gradually over the next few weeks. Please note the following:
- The university’s COVID-19 testing will end May 25. Contact tracing and related services will end June 1.
- Students should continue to visit the Student Health Center for their medical needs, and faculty and staff should consult with their physicians.
- Masks will remain optional but may be required in some spaces, such as health care facilities, at the discretion of each facility’s leadership. Even where not required, anyone is free to wear a mask if they wish.
Members of our community should continue to follow guidance from the CDC regarding isolation, testing, masking, vaccination, and symptom monitoring, especially in cases of a positive COVID-19 test. Following this guidance helps to protect all members of our community, including those who may be at higher risk for complications.
We are grateful to the public health and medical experts who helped guide the university through the pandemic. The work of many positioned us well to maintain our public health preparedness. We will continue to monitor the incidence of COVID-19, share any additional information on the COVID website, and make adjustments as needed to support the health and safety of our community.
Sincerely yours,
Mark S. Wrighton
President
Christopher Alan Bracey
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Sharon Reich Paulsen
Executive Vice President and Chief Administration Officer