COVID-19 Information for Students & Families

As we continue on-campus education, we all have a part to play in keeping the Bucknell community safe and healthy.

Bucknell strongly encourages students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition to being vaccinated, the best way to prevent the spread of the virus is to avoid being exposed to COVID-19. That's why you should practice everyday preventative actions:

Avoid large groups and self-isolate if you're feeling ill.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wear a mask when required.
Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces you touch frequently.

By taking these simple steps and following the other rules and policies you'll find here, you're doing your part in helping us rise to this challenge together.

If You Think You Might Have COVID-19

It's important to pay attention to your health and monitor any changes. Symptoms of COVID-19 include: new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache.

If you test positive for COVID-19, follow the steps below that apply to your situation.

If you test positive for COVID-19 while on campus, whether at Student Health or elsewhere, you should isolate in your residence, whether on or off campus. You may also return to your permanent residence for isolation. The University will offer limited isolation housing for students in extraordinary circumstances. Dining and transportation services will not be provided to any students in isolation.
If you take a home antigen test and get a positive result while on campus, immediately contact Student Health at 570-577-1401.
Students isolating in place may leave their residence hall room to use shared bathroom facilities or to pick up to-go meals from campus dining facilities. They should wear an N95 or KN95 mask while doing so, and return directly to their room.
Isolating students should not attend classes. Student Health will notify the appropriate academic dean's office if a student will be out of class for more than three days. Students who are isolating should communicate with their faculty members to ensure continuation of academic progress.
Per CDC guidelines, students who test positive will remain isolated for five days, with release on Day 6. They must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and have significant reduction in symptoms. Students should use a home antigen test to confirm a negative result before leaving isolation. They must continue to wear an N95 or KN95 mask for an additional five days after release from isolation.
Close Contacts and Quarantine
Should you test positive, please alert your close contacts — individuals with whom you have been in close proximity for 15 minutes or more within the last two days.
Close contacts regardless of vaccination status do not need to quarantine but should wear a mask for 10 days and do a self-test on Day 5. If symptoms develop, contact Student Health at 570-577-1401 for an evaluation.
If you test positive within five days of your planned return to campus, do not come to campus. Please take the following steps:
1. Contact Student Health at 570-577-1401 — they will give you instructions and contact your academic dean
2. Contact your professors to let them know you will be unable to attend classes

Face Coverings

As of Jan. 1, 2023, a campus mask mandate will only be imposed when a mask mandate is issued by either the state or the federal government. However, masks may still be required in certain circumstances. Please always have a mask available to you.

Masks may still be required by faculty in classrooms and labs, and by others when meeting in private spaces. Individuals will be expected to comply with the requests of faculty or staff in these circumstances, and students who fail to comply may be excused from class.
Those who have completed isolation following a case of COVID-19 should continue to wear a mask for five days.

We encourage all members of the campus community to exercise their own judgment regarding individual masking, and to respect the choices of others.

Home Tests

We strongly recommend that you bring a supply of home COVID-19 test kits with you to campus.

If you take a home antigen test and get a positive result while on campus, immediately contact Student Health at 570-577-1401.

COVID-19 Information for Students & Families

If You Think You Might Have COVID-19

If you test positive while on campusPlus Icon (Large)

If you test positive over a University breakPlus Icon (Large)

Face Coverings

Home Tests

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