Health & Wellbeing
Make Healthy Habits Your Routine
There are a few simple measures we can take to greatly reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19. Show you care for your fellow neighbors, classmates, family, and friends, and help hold each other accountable. The more diligent and careful we are now, the sooner we’ll be able to resume more in-person activities and welcome back more of our campus community.
Review the requirements and resources below for face coverings, physical distancing, hand washing, and more.
Wear a Face Covering, and Wear It Correctly
Massachusetts, the City of Cambridge, and the City of Boston require face coverings. You must wear a cloth or disposable face covering whenever indoors (unless you’re in your own private residence or room with the door closed). Massachusetts also announced that as of April 30, you don’t need to wear a mask outdoors as long as you can maintain a distance of six feet from other people. Outdoors at Harvard, masks are no longer required if 6-foot distancing is maintained. However, masks are required on campus when in gatherings (formal or informal) and when preparing to enter Harvard buildings and shuttles.
- Always cover your nose and mouth.
- Remove your face covering only when necessary to eat or drink, and immediately replace it when you’re finished sipping your drink or eating.
- Resist the urge to pull your mask off in order to be heard; just speak more clearly.
Learn more about which face coverings to use and when.
Practice Safe Distancing
Keep a distance of 6 feet or more from other people. Be aware of your surroundings, avoid drifting toward others while in conversation, and don’t linger in high-traffic areas.
Wash Your Hands Often
Use soap and water with 20 seconds of rubbing, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Do this before and after touching anything that needs to be touched by other people, and before eating, drinking, or touching your face or face covering.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cough/sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve.
- Disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces.
Learn more about how to stop the spread of germs.
Answer Your Phone
Timely communication is critical. Make sure your contact information is accurate in all University systems. Keep your phone powered and nearby at all times, and answer all calls (especially those from HUHS). We might be reaching out to alert you about an exposure you’ve had.
Health & Wellness Resources
Manage Fear & Anxiety
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
Balance work/life
Learn about programs and resources to help you balance your work and life.
Counseling & Mental Health Services
Learn about CAMHS operations, hours, and teleconsults.
Harvard University Health Services
Learn about HUHS operations, hours, and telemedicine.
Employee Assistance Program
Contact the Employee Assistance Program to speak with a mental health professional.
Harvard Center for Wellness & Health Promotion
Explore yoga, meditation, and mindfulness through virtual classes offered by the Center for Wellness and Health Promotion
Cope with Stress
Coping with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.
Socialize Remotely
Fulfill our human need for social interaction while still maintaining critical physical distancing measures.
Communication Resources
Keep Harvard Healthy Materials
Signs, graphics, and posters to encourage best practices and personal responsibility in combating the spread of COVID-19.
EH&S Covid Resources
Use these resources to assist with the safe reopening of labs and other parts of campus.
Face Coverings Required
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts issued an emergency order requiring that face coverings be worn in all public places.