The University at Buffalo is committed to protecting the health and safety of the UB community while remaining focused on our academic, research and community service mission. Ensuring the safety of the entire university community is paramount as UB responds to the COVID-19 pandemic and implements plans for a safe return to campus.
The following guidelines are being implemented across the university to help protect students, faculty and staff from spread of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Our guidelines are based on the most recent scientific research on effective methods for preventing the spread of COVID-19. They were informed by the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health and SUNY, as well as UB experts in infectious disease, laboratory medicine and public health.
Every element of this plan was developed with the goal of providing the safest environment possible for all members of the university community. Equally important is the role that each and every member of our campus plays in keeping one another safe. Described within these guidelines are simple but very effective measures that are critically important in mitigating virus transmission. These include wearing a face covering, frequent handwashing, adequate physical distancing and participation in daily health screenings. Your commitment to these interventions when on UB’s campuses and in the local community is essential and fundamental to a safe campus reopening.
The university’s guidelines will continue to be updated as needed in accordance with new recommendations from the state and CDC, and as new scientific findings emerge. Guideline updates will be posted on the Health and Safety Guidelines webpage.
To keep the UB community safe and strong, we must commit to protecting ourselves and others. Together, we are UB.
See below for latest updates to the health and safety guidelines.
Updated 3/1/2021
Quarantine No Longer Required for Fully Vaccinated Persons or Persons who have Recovered from COVID-19 Infection
The university will follow Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) quarantine recommendations for fully vaccinated persons or persons who have recovered from COVID-19 infection.
People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks (14 days) after receiving the full vaccine series of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine. An individual who is considered fully vaccinated may be exempt from quarantine for up to 90 days (see ECDOH guidance). ECDOH contact tracers added vaccination status questions to their case investigation scripts, and will confirm how vaccination may affect quarantine when speaking with close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
If a person received the full vaccine series of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine and is (1) exposed to an individual who tested COVID-19 positive or (2) traveled to a U.S. state other than those contiguous to New York and remains asymptomatic, that person will not need to quarantine under the criteria specified on the ECDOH COVID-19 web site.
Additionally, a person who recovered from a COVID-19 infection and remains asymptomatic will not need to quarantine under the criteria specified on the ECDOH COVID-19 web site
Those who have been selected to participate will be notified via email and should report to one of the testing sites that have been established across all of UB’s campuses. For more information on how to prepare for your test, read What to expect if you’re selected for surveillance testing on UBNow.
Quarantine No Longer Required for Fully Vaccinated Persons or Persons who have Recovered from COVID-19 Infection
The university will follow Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) quarantine recommendations for fully vaccinated persons or persons who have recovered from COVID-19 infection.
People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks (14 days) after receiving the full vaccine series of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine. An individual who is considered fully vaccinated may be exempt from quarantine for up to 90 days (see ECDOH guidance). ECDOH contact tracers added vaccination status questions to their case investigation scripts, and will confirm how vaccination may affect quarantine when speaking with close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
If a person received the full vaccine series of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine and is (1) exposed to an individual who tested COVID-19 positive or (2) traveled to a U.S. state other than those contiguous to New York and remains asymptomatic, that person will not need to quarantine under the criteria specified on the ECDOH COVID-19 web site.
Additionally, a person who recovered from a COVID-19 infection and remains asymptomatic will not need to quarantine under the criteria specified on the ECDOH COVID-19 web site
For events and gatherings on campus, the university will adhere to New York State guidelines, as well as recommendations from the CDC and public health experts. This includes limiting the size of private, social gatherings as well as larger events and gatherings (e.g., arts, entertainment and other leisure activities) in both indoor and outdoor public spaces.The number of people allowed at an event or gathering may change, depending on the degree of COVID-19 spread within the community.
For all events and gatherings: