The interim University of Hawaiʻi COVID-19 guidelines for the 10-campus system were updated for the fall 2021 semester. The university also posted its vaccination and testing policy.
The key updates and sections include:
- A COVID-19 vaccination requirement for students, faculty, staff and visitors who come to a UH campus.
- Unvaccinated students and employees are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test weekly.
- Vaccination information or weekly proof of a negative test must be uploaded to the LumiSight UH daily health check app, which also screens for COVID-19 symptoms and possible exposure. The LumiSight UH app is anticipated to be able to accept negative test results beginning Friday, August 20.
- Everyone needs a green “You may report to campus” status with the current date on the app to be on a UH campus
- Some courses—clinicals, labs, performing arts, field work—may require vaccination without exception because safe physical distancing cannot be maintained. Unvaccinated students are encouraged to defer registration for these classes until spring or a subsequent semester.
- Required physical distancing has been reduced from 6 feet to 3 feet.
- Face masks are required indoors while on a UH campus. The only exception is if you are in a room by yourself.
- Face masks are no longer required outdoors while on campus but strongly recommended when 3-foot physical distancing can not be maintained, such as in a crowd.
- Campus community members are asked to report all positive COVID-19 cases on campus (if on campus within 14 days of onset of symptoms or exposure), and individual campuses will continue to notify their communities when positive cases are reported.
The interim guidelines will continue to be revised based on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and latest county, state and federal guidance. The most recent updates reflect the current pandemic conditions and take into consideration the high vaccination rates of students and employees, according to recent surveys.
Every aspect of campus operations is covered by the guidelines with a focus on health and safety and preventing the spread of the virus. This includes the more contagious Delta variant, which is circulating throughout Hawaiʻi and resulting in higher case counts, particularly among the unvaccinated.
The guidelines were updated in consultation with the UH Vaccination Team and the UH Health and Well-Being working group, made up of UH medical and public health experts, and were reviewed by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health. The three public worker unions representing UH employees were also consulted.
