Novel coronavirus information

Spring quarter 2022

The UW is changing COVID-19 policies after the end of spring quarter. Learn more.
Masks remain recommended in facilities where they aren't otherwise required.

Last updated: April 19, 2022

Thanks to the hard work of everyone in our Husky community, the UW is continuing with another successful quarter of largely in-person classes, experiences and services on our campuses this spring. Read on for an overview of our current operations, health and safety measures, and links to more detailed information for students and personnel.

Academics

In accordance with updated local, state and federal public health guidelines, masks are optional inside most University facilities as of March 28, 2022. Masks are still required in clinical and other healthcare settings and on public transportation, including UW shuttles.

Because many people were returning to campus from travel over spring break and mobility was increasing in general, we strongly recommended wearing masks indoors during the first two weeks of spring quarter and also starting on April 26, after case counts in the region moved King County to the CDC’s “medium” risk level.

While optional, we continue to welcome and encourage mask wearing during spring quarter. Well-fitting, high quality masks remain an important tool against respiratory illnesses of all kinds and offer protection that can help all in our community feel safe. These sort of masks are available for free at various locations around the University. People need to or choose to wear masks for a wide range of reasons, and we should not make assumptions. Thank you for respecting those needs and choices.

Spring quarter classes will continue to be held largely in person, and you should expect them to follow the original format listed in the time schedule unless your instructors inform you otherwise.

As has been the case since we returned in autumn quarter, accommodations can be requested by those with health-related conditions or needs that put them at heightened risk. We’re also asking instructors to be flexible when it comes to student absences due to illness or other coronavirus-related disruptions, including the need to quarantine or because of daycare or school closures that may affect our students who are parents. Please note that while instructors will work to find ways for you to make-up missed coursework, they are not required to provide a remote option for classes that are being taught in person.

As a public research university, we’re fortunate to have experts in medicine and public health who’ve been studying the pandemic from its beginning. We understand much more about the virus now than when it emerged, our University’s vaccination rates are outstanding, and Washington state’s vaccination levels remain some of the nation’s highest. We will continue making decisions that reflect the most current public health guidance, as we have throughout the pandemic.

Facilities and learning spaces

Learn more about how our Facilities teams are keeping campus buildings safe for in-person learning and work.

UW Libraries have varying hours of operation. Be sure to check current hours and operations for Bothell libraries, Seattle libraries and Tacoma libraries  before you go.

Housing and dining

Seattle campus housing has returned to full occupancy. Dining venue hours will continue to expand as HFS hires new and returning employees.

Find more information about how we protect your health and safety in our housing and dining facilities.

Bothell campus housing and Tacoma campus housing are open and will continue following public health guidelines.

The UW will continue to follow all preventive health guidelines and support students who may have a COVID diagnosis while living on campus. Students who test positive are asked to temporarily move to a designated place where they can recover safely away from people who may be at risk of getting sick. During this time, we’ll help with food and mail delivery, laundry service and engagement activities to help students stay connected. Our Environmental Health & Safety COVID-19 Response and Prevention Team will work with you to understand whether other people may have been exposed, so we can get them tested and protect their health as well. You can learn more about how the University responds to positive cases on our COVID-19 FAQ page.

Student Life and activities

Recreation, Husky Union Building and other student spaces

On the Seattle campus, the IMA is open to current students, faculty and staff, and all UW recreation facilities follow state COVID-19 guidelines to protect your health and safety.

The HUB is open and reservations are not required for UW students, faculty and staff to visit. Learn more about visiting the HUB. Please contact individual offices for information about their services and hours.

UW Bothell’s Activities & Recreational Center and UW Tacoma’s University Y Center are open and following state COVID-19 guidelines.

Husky Athletics

In accordance with state and local policies regarding sporting events, as of March 12, masks are optional at all indoor and outdoor athletic events, including those in Alaska Airlines Arena and Nordstrom Tennis Center. Additionally, the vaccine verification process, which required either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, has been lifted from all events.

Visit UW Athletics for the most up-to-date information.

COVID-19 vaccines, testing and prevention

International students: We recommend bookmarking International Student Services coronavirus information for F1 and J1 students for information on visas, travel and COVID-19 protocols. ISS will update this page as new information becomes available. Continue to monitor your local embassy or consulate’s website, airline guidance and CDC travel notices.

Vaccines

All students, including students in fully online programs, are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 if they do not receive a medical or religious exemption. You must verify your COVID-19 vaccination status and upload documentation – such as a vaccination card or other proof of vaccination – or upload an exemption request for review by the UW’s Hall Health Center in order to register for classes. The deadline to upload your documentation is prior to your spring classes orientation and registration.

Visit our FAQ to learn how you can check whether you have met the COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Testing

There are many free testing options available to you, including Husky Coronavirus Testing, a voluntary research study.

Prevention

The UW will continue to follow local and state public health guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as we have throughout the pandemic.

The UW is fortunate to have outstanding Facilities teams who keep our classrooms and buildings safe all day, every day. If you’d like a deep dive into our cleaning and safety protocols, UW Environmental Health & Safety has a wealth of information on its COVID-19 resources page, including a link to UW Facilities’ building readiness guidelines.

What would cause the UW to change the course of our coronavirus response?

In March 2020, the UW was the first university in the country to move to remote courses. In autumn 2021, we were one of the last to return to largely in-person instruction. Those decisions, along with the many others made along the way — such as moving most classes online during the peak of the omicron wave in winter quarter 2022 — were guided by some of the world’s top health experts and made with health and well-being as our priorities.

We have also considered what would prompt a major change in course, such as a return to largely remote working and/or learning. No single metric can accurately capture a complex public health situation. We will continue to engage in science- and evidence-based decision making, relying on the expertise of our UW, local and state experts to guide us. Several scenarios are considered when evaluating a return to largely remote instruction and/or operations, including a major uptick in on-campus transmissions or positivity rates; greatly diminished capacity in our area hospitals; major disruptions in our K-12 schools or transportation systems; or the imposition of state or local restrictions, such as masking requirements or “stay at home” orders.

Because of the evolving nature of the pandemic, public health measures may be relaxed or reinstated depending on the community risk level of COVID-19 our area is experiencing.