COVID-19 Resources

All Yale students must be up to date with COVID vaccination as a requirement of enrollment. Your vaccination is up to date when you have received a complete primary sequence and at least one booster. Additionally, all Yale students were required to receive the updated bivalent booster by February 1, 2023. Students must submit documentation through the Yale Vaccine Portal.

Please note that having an up-to-date vaccination allows individuals to engage in the widest range of activity permitted by the University, while individuals with a vaccination exemption will be required to abide by strict health-and-safety precautions which will significantly restrict their ability to participate in some activities.

YSM students who fail to meet the University’s COVID vaccination policy will be withdrawn.

For complete details about the University’s vaccination policy, click here.

The following protocols ONLY apply to YSM students, faculty, and staff with up-to-date vaccinations and do not apply to individuals with vaccination exemptions.

• All activity will take place in-person.
• Classes and rehearsals will take place for their standard duration, at their regular times, and in their usual locations.
• Room capacities will be the standard limits set by the fire marshal.
• Individuals must swipe into facilities with their Yale ID. ArtsVision reservations are required for most YSM spaces; reservations for some ISM spaces are required via ISM calendaring.
• Participants are not required to physically distance on campus, including while participating in classes, lessons, coachings, chamber music, and large ensembles. 
• The University’s current policy requires masking in all instructional spaces; however, School of Music participants may unmask for curricular music-making upon receiving a negative result on a rapid antigen test 30-60 minutes prior to unmasking.
• YSM students are required to receive two Yale PCR tests every week.
• Student, faculty, and guest performances will take place. Audience members must be masked.
• The University may implement additional health-and-safety precautions as conditions warrant.

• By Aug. 15, have documentation on file with the University of a verified up-to-date vaccination against COVID-19 or a University-approved vaccination exemption. It is essential that you submit your vaccination record immediately if you have not done so yet. If you are an international student who cannot be vaccinated prior to arrival in New Haven, contact OISS for additional guidance.
• Review and abide by the Fall 2022 Yale Community Compact.
• Complete arrival testing (see Testing Requirements below).
• If you have questions about any of these requirements, contact the YSM Health and Safety Team at covidresources.music@yale.edu.

The University is granting a limited number of exemptions (medical or religious) to the vaccination requirement. Unvaccinated YSM students who are granted a vaccination exemption will be required to abide by strict University health-and-safety protocols including but not limited to:

• possible restrictions on participation in certain activities
• limitations of access to certain events, spaces, and roles
• must receive a mandatory COVID-19 test twice a week

If you have received or will be applying for an exemption, contact HSL Krista Johnson at krista.johnson@yale.edu immediately for more details and to discuss your options for the 2022-2023 academic year; students, please note that deferral or a leave of absence may be possible. 

A properly-fitted high-quality mask provides excellent protection against COVID-19 for individuals with up-to-date vaccinations. We strongly recommend that you continue to wear a mask whenever possible, and we encourage you to unmask only when it will significantly benefit your musical performance. Unmasking is optional; when unmasking is permitted, you can always choose to wear a mask. Whether you remove your mask or remain masked, please respect one another’s choices.

• The University requires masks in all classrooms and instructional spaces; however, the School of Music has secured special permissions from the University that allow participants to unmask for performance classes (i.e. lessons, coachings, performance seminars, rehearsals, and concerts) upon receiving a negative result on a rapid antigen test 30-60 minutes prior to unmasking. See the Testing Requirements section below for details about Rapid Testing.
• Masks are required in all non-performance classes (music history, musicianship and analysis, composition). Instructors may unmask at a distance of 12 feet. Participants may unmask briefly in non-performance classes when the face must be visible (i.e. diction, acting, conducting).
• Masks are required for audiences/spectators, on campus transit, and in medical settings.
• The School of Music will provide ASTM masks. For vocal activities that require masking, the School will provide singers with N95-equivalent masks. Personal masks should be N95-equivalent masks or ASTM masks; cloth masks are only allowed as an overmask.
• You must remain masked if you are experiencing symptoms, monitoring as a close contact, or have a vaccination exemption.

For details about the University’s masking policy, click here.

Because of the close-proximity aerosolization inherent to music-making, the School of Music will observe a rigorous testing program utilizing both PCR tests and rapid antigen tests (RAT). This surveillance approach allows us to identify potential asymptomatic infection early. Please note that both PCR and RAT are required and one type of test cannot be substituted for the other.

PCR and RAT are available in the Adams Center lobby.

Before the semester begins:

• Pre-arrival testing: All YSM students traveling to New Haven should perform a pre-arrival test, preferably a RAT on the day of travel, or a PCR test in the 48 hours prior to departure. If you test positive, report your results to the University and do not travel to New Haven until you have completed your isolation. Negative results do not need to be reported.
• Gateway/arrival testing: All YSM students must have a PCR test performed through the Yale COVID-19 Testing Program between Sept. 5 and Sept. 7. This includes those who have been in New Haven for the summer, as well as those moving to New Haven for the academic year. Take your next PCR test four days later to commence your twice-weekly PCR testing requirement.
• Report a recent positive case: If you tested positive outside the Yale system between June 5 and Sept. 5 this year, submit this form to pause your Yale PCR requirement. 

Twice-weekly PCR tests:

• All YSM students will be required to take two Yale PCR tests every week on Mondays and Thursdays.
• Color, the new testing platform, eliminates the need for appointments at a physical test site. Tests will be self-administered at home with a nasal swab. After you take each test, seal the sample, and drop it off at a central collection location. For detailed instructions on how to set up and use your Color testing account, see Setting up and using your PCR (Color) testing account below.
• If you are behind on testing, you will receive reminders via email. Failure to meet testing requirements may result in your access to campus being restricted.
• If you receive a positive PCR result, see Symptomatic Individuals and Positive Cases below.

Rapid Antigen tests (RAT)

• You must take a RAT 30-60 minutes prior to unmasking for any in-person music-making (lessons, seminars, rehearsals, concerts, coachings, recording sessions, etc.).
• A RAT may also be required prior to large school-sponsored gatherings such as the Opening Reception and the Honors Banquet.
• Your completion of a RAT is on the honor system; it is your responsibility to remain masked if you did not take a RAT right before an activity. You must also be up to date with your twice-weekly PCR tests (no more than four days since your last test).
• Negative results do not need to be reported.
• If you receive a positive RAT, see Symptomatic Individuals and Positive Cases below.
• You must remain masked if you are experiencing symptoms, monitoring as a close contact, or have a vaccination exemption.

It is essential that you follow each step of these instructions very carefully.

Step 1: Create your Color account

• Go to home.color.com on a smartphone or computer. Chrome is the preferred browser (do not use Incognito mode).
• IMPORTANT: SCROLL DOWN to “Sign-In with SSO” at the bottom of the screen and then enter your Yale email address.
  • You must use your Yale email address, not your personal email.
  • If you receive an error at this step, make sure that you have entered your Yale email address correctly. If you still receive an error message, contact covidtestinganalytics@yale.edu.  
• You will be prompted to enter your Yale NetID and password and to authenticate through DUO. Click “Remember me for 90 days.”
• Your account setup is complete. Once you are ready to test, follow steps 2-5 below.
• Watch these videos for instructions on how to create your account on a computer or a smartphone.

Step 2: Pick up your PCR test kits

• Each Color test is in a dark blue plastic bag.
• Kits are available in the Adams Center lobby and at COVID-19 test kiosks around campus. These are PCR test kits, which must be activated and sent to the lab for processing. These are not the same as Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT), which YSM students use to facilitate specific instances of unmasking for music-making.

Step 3: Activate your PCR test kit when you are ready to take a test

• Log into your Color account at home.color.com. REMEMBER TO SCROLL DOWN to “Sign-In with SSO” at the bottom of the screen and then enter your Yale email address.
• Select “I’m interested in COVID-19 Services,” click on your name, and enter the required demographic information. DO NOT add a dependent. Color testing is only available for eligible faculty, staff, and students. 
• Answer the survey questions and click the attestation boxes. For state reporting purposes and inclusion on your MyChart record, you must enter your legal name (do not use any international characters) and date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY).
• Enter the barcode information found on your collection tube, including a barcode number (it starts with a “D”) and an accession number (it starts with a “C”). You can also upload a photo, using a smartphone, of the barcode sticker on the card inside your kit. 
• Once your kit is activated, you will receive a confirmation email or text.  
• Watch this video for instructions on how to activate your kit on a computer or a smartphone.

Step 4: Collect your self-swab sample

• Follow the instructions on the card inside your test kit.
• Collecting your sample is very similar to the process you may have followed at the on-campus test sites.

Step 5: Drop off your sample on the same day

• After activating your kit and collecting your sample, you must return your collection tube in the biohazard bag to a COVID-19 test kiosk by 1:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 
• Results will be delayed for samples dropped off after 1:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, or on Sunday.
• Because you have a testing requirement, it is important to collect and drop off your sample on your designated test days, which are Mondays and Thursdays. You will be reminded via text and email that you are due to test on the day prior to your expected test date. If you do not test on your assigned day, you will receive another reminder to test and will be noted as non-compliant with Yale’s health and safety requirements.
• The Schwarzman Center has the closest kiosk to the School of Music. The kiosk is on the lower level, across from the Bow Wow, and is available 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Step 6: Receive your test result, typically within 24-36 hours

You will receive an email and text notification to log into your Color account to review your results.

If you need assistance with any step of this process, contact Color’s Customer Service at support@color.com or 844-352-6567 (9 a.m.–8 p.m., 7 days a week). In-person assistance is available at the 109 Grove Street COVID-19 test kiosk location, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Nearby COVID-19 test kiosk locations:

• Schwarzman Center, 168 Grove St (lower level, across from the Bow Wow). 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Mon. thru Fri.
• Rosenfeld Hall, 109 Grove St (foyer). 24/7. Onsite assistance is available 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Mon. thru Fri.
• Loria Center, 190 York Street (lobby). 8 a.m.–11 p.m., 7 days a week.

Click here for additional kiosk locations.

Individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 or are identified as a close contact do not need to quarantine and should observe the following precautions.

• Receive two Yale PCR tests in five days: upon notification of exposure and on Day 5 after exposure.
• Monitor for symptoms for 10 days. If symptoms develop, self-isolate and see Symptomatic Individuals and Positive Cases below.
• Observe the following precautions for 10 days from the date of exposure:

• Close contacts who can remain fully masked at all times can continue all activities.
• Woodwind/brass players will be excused from music-making (except for solo practice) for 10 days. Woodwind/brass players with performances that fall within this 10-day period should consult with YSM HSL Krista Johnson about their options.
• Wear a well-fitting mask around others at home or in public settings. If you share a residence, mask except when you are in your room alone.
• Close contacts should not eat in dining halls or other indoor spaces but may eat outside or alone in their residence. To-go dining meals are available from the dining halls.
• All social gatherings are discouraged during this period.
• Take precautions if traveling.

For more details about the University’s close contact policy, click here.

If you are experiencing symptoms:

• Take a PCR and a RAT right away; and
• Remain masked and avoid interactions with others until you receive a negative PCR result.

If you test positive (via a PCR or a RAT) during the school year, please take these steps:

• Isolate immediately.
• If you test positive on a RAT, report it to the university here, and contact HSL Krista Johnson at 203-889-7846. The University will report positive PCR test results to the Dean and the HSL.
• For any positive test result, you must isolate in your residence. Length of isolation is 7 days, but students may be released early on day 5 or day 6 if they test negative on a RAT. Take a picture of your negative result.
• The School will provide remote learning accommodations for non-performance YSM classes for positive-testing students in isolation. 
• Upon the end of isolation, you may return to normal activities; you must remain masked until Day 11. When isolation ends, winds and brass may return to academic classes but are excused from in-person music-making (except for solo practice) until Day 11.

A visitor is any guest musician or guest instructor that is not a Yale student, employee, or trainee.

• Guest performers and guest instructors with up-to-date vaccinations may participate in YSM activities, including performing on student degree recitals. All guests must carry vaccination documentation and be prepared to show it if asked.
• All visitors must be hosted by a YSM faculty or staff member, or a YSM student. It is the responsibility of the host to determine whether their guest has an up-to-date vaccination. Guests do not need to fill out a vaccination attestation unless they will be on campus more than four days in a given month.
• All guests must be added to the building access list and must check in at the Adams Center security office upon arrival. Email the guest’s name and the date(s) of their visit to covidresources.music@yale.edu.
• Guests must test prior to travel to New Haven, and take a RAT upon arrival.
• Guests must remain masked except while teaching, or engaging in rehearsals and performances; guests must take a RAT 30-60 minutes prior to each unmasked activity that involves YSM students.
• For more details, see the University’s Visitor Policy.

When you travel, observe the Yale Travel Policy and the precautions below:

Upon returning from domestic travel:

• get tested for COVID-19 within three to five days of return if travel involved situations with greater risk of exposure such as being in areas with high community levels of transmission or crowded places while not wearing a well-fitting mask; and
• monitor for symptoms and isolate and test immediately if symptoms arise.

Upon returning from international travel:

• get tested for COVID-19 within three to five days of arrival in the United States; and
• monitor for symptoms and isolate and test immediately if symptoms arise.

• In addition to the above requirements, students arriving from international locations must follow Yale/CDC travel requirements for testing upon arrival in New Haven.
• Students who have not yet received both doses of an approved vaccination regimen or a booster should schedule additional vaccination as soon as possible after arriving in New Haven.

You must take a RAT 30-60 minutes prior to unmasking for any in-person music-making (lessons, seminar, rehearsals, concerts, coachings, recording sessions, etc.). See Required Testing above for details.

Woodwinds and brass do not need to wear slit masks or use bell covers.

If you are a close contact, you will be excused from music-making (except for solo practice) for 10 days. Woodwind/brass players with performances that fall within this 10-day period should consult with YSM HSL Krista Johnson about their options. See Close Contacts above for details.

If you are experiencing symptoms, take a PCR and a RAT right away, remain masked, and avoid interactions with others until you receive a negative PCR result. You should not engage in in-person music-making until you receive this negative PCR result.

If you test positive, you may return to normal activities upon the end of isolation but must remain masked until Day 11. Winds and brass may return to academic classes but are excused from in-person music-making (except for solo practice) until Day 11. See Symptomatic Individuals and Positive Cases above for details.

Yale University has developed protocols for the phased return to campus that are consistent with federal, state, and local public health guidance. Employees with specific questions should consult with their managers or the Employee Service Center at 203-432-5552. Managers are strongly encouraged to contact their HR Generalist to consult on their workforce planning, as there may be contractual and policy implications.

For workplace guidance, as well as a list of resources available to support staff who are managing work and family responsibilities through the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit

• COVID-19 Workplace Guidance: Includes resources for childcare, wellness, eldercare, disabilities, and more.
• What to Expect When You Are Approved to Return to Work On Campus
• FAQs

Although YSM faculty and staff are not required to engage in mandatory weekly testing, you are strongly encouraged to receive regular and frequent voluntary testing. 

PLEASE NOTE: Yale’s COVID-19 testing process has changed, effective August 8
New processes for asymptomatic and symptomatic testing have eliminated the need for physical test sites. Current testing requirements can be viewed on the Health Guidelines page.

• Campus COVID Resource Line: 203-432-6604, toll free 866-924-9253
• Frequently Asked Questions
• COVID-19 Student Information
• Yale Mental Health & Counseling
• Yale Health website
• Managing Stress

• Yale COVID-19 FAQs
• Social distancing and occupancy
• Appropriate use of face coverings
• Compliant cleaning and disinfecting protocols
• Required training for Yale community members prior to return to campus
• COVID-19 testing requirements
• Reporting concerns regarding violations of health and safety standards
• Travel guidance, visitors to campus, events and group gatherings
• Community Compact