February 9, 2022

Dear students,

The isolate-in-place policy announced last month will likely go into effect tonight because demand for isolation housing is reaching capacity. That means that many of you, if you test positive and live in a single bedroom, may now be assigned to isolate in your bedroom, whether standalone or within a suite. You will also receive detailed instructions on how to care for yourself and reduce the risk of spreading infection to others. It is especially important to:

  • Remain in your bedroom, leaving only for medical appointments or to pick up medical supplies, for brief periods outdoors in your courtyard, and to use the bathroom.
  • Wear the face mask you have received from your residential college whenever you are not in your bedroom.
  • Eat your meals in your room, where they will be delivered to you.

If you are isolating in place, you will be able to continue to use communal bathrooms; you will receive additional instructions about maintaining the already low risk of transmission in shared bathrooms.

This shift will have the largest impact on students who test positive, but it is important that everyone be aware of it.

  • Be alert to new signs in your college, and follow their instructions.
  • Pick up the pair of higher-grade masks recently distributed through your head of college’s office, if you haven’t already, and use them.
  • Read January’s FAQs about the isolate-in-place policy, where you will find answers to many questions.

The contact tracing team has not seen any evidence of transmission in classes or dining halls; most new cases have been traced to recent social gatherings where participants have not worn masks.

Please, wear your mask.

Sincerely,

Melanie Boyd
Dean of Student Affairs
Senior Associate Dean, Yale College
she | her | hers