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Alumni Affairs and Development Event Guest Policy

Events Requiring Proof of Vaccination or Negative Test

We are delighted you are joining us. As we resume in-person events, Harvard University is committed to providing a safe environment for all. Supporting our community’s well-being while advancing Harvard’s academic enterprise requires our collective participation in the University’s health and safety measures. We’ve created this page to highlight the most important COVID-19 safety requirements. Guests are required to follow all applicable health and safety requirements imposed by federal, state, and local authorities, as well as Harvard University policies, to reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19. Requirements may change as the public health situation evolves. Things may look different as we get closer to the event. We will adapt these policies as needed based on public health guidance; please check this page as the event date gets closer.

Required Proof of Vaccination or Negative Test

To reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19, guests will be required to show proof of vaccination, or a negative PCR or rapid antigen COVID-19 test result within the past calendar day. Please read through the requirements below carefully; if a guest is not able to present one of these two pieces of information, event staff will deny entry.

  • You are considered “fully vaccinated” 14 days after receiving either a 2-dose series of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna)or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine (Janssen vaccine) and a booster (if eligible) of one of the above-listed vaccines; OR the equivalent dose of another WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccine.
  • For those who cannot provide proof of vaccination, documentation of a negative PCR or rapid antigen COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours of the event is required.

ACCEPTABLE PROOF OF A COVID-19 VACCINATION INCLUDES:

  • A COVID-19 SMART Health Card through myvaxrecords.mass.gov/. This is the preferred proof of a COVID-19 vaccination for people who receive their vaccine in Massachusetts. Please note, it could take up to 24 hours to get access to your COVID-19 SMART Health Card.
  • A CDC vaccination card
  • A digital image of your CDC card
  • An image or printout of any official immunization record
  • A city-designated app containing a digital image of any official immunization record, or
  • Another COVID-19 vaccine verification app, including the CLEAR Health Pass, CommonPass, NYC COVID SAFE (Android | iOS), VaxYes, IATA Travel Pass, and the Excelsior Pass.

General Requirements for Attending Harvard-Sponsored Events and Gatherings

  • Guests are required to follow all applicable health and safety requirements imposed by federal, state, and local authorities, as well as Harvard University policies, to reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19.
  • Guests must not come to an event, on or off campus, if they have symptoms, if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or if they have been instructed to quarantine or isolate. 
  • Guests are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 using a vaccine authorized by the FDA or WHO, unless they are eligible for an exemption based on age, a medical contraindication, or firmly held religious belief. If you are eligible for an exemption, a negative PCR or rapid antigen COVID-19 test result within the past calendar day will be accepted.
  • We ask that guests read the COVID-19 Safety Awareness Training: Prevention/Protection Practices document to familiarize themselves with current guidance and safety practices, including the requirements for acceptable face coverings on campus. 
  • Guests traveling from outside the state of Massachusetts are encouraged to receive a COVID-19 test on the day of arrival through a local clinic or pharmacy at their own expense. 
  • Unvaccinated guests traveling from international points of departure who plan for an extended stay up to seven days from attending an event, are required to take a COVID-19 test on the day of their arrival and must avoid close, unmasked social activities, including social gatherings and dining with other unvaccinated people, until they have received a negative test result. Guests are required to take an additional test four to five days after arrival. Keep documentation of any COVID-19 tests readily available in the event of an exposure or other public health need. 
  • Quarantine/Isolation Policy: Please be advised the University is not equipped to provide isolation housing and services to non-Harvard community guests and visitors. If an event guest becomes symptomatic or tests positive while at an event on campus, the University does not provide isolation or quarantine housing, meals, or transportation. Guests will need to leave campus directly and should have a plan for what they will do if they need to self-isolate.
  • All guests are expected to report a positive COVID-19 test result or clinician diagnosis immediately to the Contact Tracing Team at Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) via email at clear@huhs.harvard.edu if they have been on campus within 48 hours of symptom onset or a positive test result. 

Additional Requirements:

INDOOR EVENTS:

  • Guests must wear face coverings at all times, except when actively eating/drinking. While eating and drinking, unvaccinated visitors should continue to practice social distancing (six feet apart) while unmasked. 
  • Face coverings must always be worn by all guests when in any common areas of the event venue, including restrooms, entryways, and lobbies.

OUTDOOR EVENTS:

  • Fully vaccinated guests are not required to wear a face covering when outdoors. However, fully vaccinated guests should consider wearing a face covering in crowded outdoor settings and for outdoor activities with close contact with others who may not be fully vaccinated.
  • Unvaccinated guests may remove their face coverings outdoors if they are able to consistently maintain a distance of at least six feet from others (including when eating or drinking). If a physical distance of six feet cannot be consistently maintained, unvaccinated guests are required to wear a face covering. 
  • Guests will be provided easy access to hand sanitizer, hygiene facilities, and supplies.
  • In all shared University or private vehicles driven on campus, all occupants of ride-shares, shuttles, and taxis must wear face coverings, regardless of vaccination status. 

OFF–CAMPUS EVENTS:

  • Harvard University COVID-19 policies apply to Harvard events held off campus as well. Guests are required to follow all applicable health and safety requirements imposed by federal, state, local, and venue authorities to limit the spread of COVID-19. 

Thank you for adhering to Harvard University COVID-19 safety protocols. We can all play a role in preventing the spread of infection. We’re healthier together.

Although Harvard University has taken steps to comply with federal and state safety standards designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, the University cannot guarantee that you will not contract COVID-19 while attending the Event. Nor is Harvard in a position to know if you are or will be physically near to a person infected with COVID-19 at the Event. Accordingly, in attending the Event, you recognize that you may be subjected to potential risks of infection, illness, injury, and even death from COVID-19. You have made your own investigation of these risks, understand these risks, and assume these risks knowingly and willingly.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, you release Harvard, its current and former members of its governing boards, officers, faculty, staff, representatives, volunteers, employees, fellows, students, other trainees and agents, and their respective heirs and assigns, from any and all claims, losses, expenses, damages, or liabilities which you may incur or suffer, arising out of or related to your contracting COVID-19 while attending the Event and resulting from any cause. This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (excluding its conflict of laws principles), which shall be the forum for any lawsuits filed under or incident to this document.