Current policies and status
Below is an overview of current policies and protocols at Stanford related to COVID-19.

Face Masks
Stanford strongly recommends masking in crowded settings.
Face masks are no longer mandatory in classrooms. However, individual instructors have the option of requiring masks in classes. Instructors who require masking should inform students in advance on Canvas, the university’s learning management system, and by email.

Vaccination
Effective Monday, April 10, the university no longer requires – but continues to strongly recommend – COVID vaccinations and boosters for faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students. Vaccination requirements will remain in place for students and staff who work or rotate in Stanford health care facilities, in accordance with federal guidance. For the most current information on COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, including where to obtain them, visit the Vaccinations page.

Testing
Asymptomatic surveillance testing is no longer required, regardless of vaccination status.
As of March 24, 2023, Color testing will no longer be available to faculty, staff, postdocs. Color testing will continue to be available to students through June 18, 2023.
Rapid antigen tests are available for free to faculty, staff, postdocs, and students at campus locations. For more information, click here.

Health Check
Faculty, staff, and postdocs who test positive for COVID are required to self-report their health status in HealthCheck.
Guidance for faculty, staff, and postdocs who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms or have been in close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 has been updated here.

Travel
Stanford recommends, but does not require, that international travelers test themselves using a rapid COVID test on day 0. Travelers who are experiencing symptoms of illness should mask until receiving a negative rapid COVID test on day 5.
Students planning travel or returning to campus should review the Student Affairs Travel & Return Testing Guide.
More information about travel is available here.

COVID Dashboards
Stanford’s COVID dashboard provides regular updates on COVID prevalence based on analysis of wastewater data collected from more than 150 buildings on campus by Stanford’s Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering.
Latest Updates
Change in COVID vaccination policy
Effective April 10, the university will no longer require COVID vaccinations and boosters for faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students. The university continues to strongly recommend COVID vaccinations and boosters.
Read more about Change in COVID vaccination policyChanges to COVID testing program
The university is transitioning away from the Color testing program. Free rapid tests will continue to be available.
Read more about Changes to COVID testing program