Healthy Clark | Clark University

Our Approach to COVID-19

At Clark, we are proud of the extraordinary diligence, understanding, and compassion our community members have demonstrated during the pandemic. As COVID-19 has entered a new endemic phase, we have restored fully normal campus operations and no longer require mask-wearing and testing.

COVID-19 is expected to be with us for years to come, and in this new phase we are working toward sustainable policies and practices that provide opportunities for individuals to mitigate risks and for our community to engage in a full and vibrant campus life. Each individual will take the measures they believe are most effective for keeping themselves healthy and protected as they live, learn, and work on campus, and we as a caring community will continue to respect and honor those choices.

As we have done since the arrival of COVID in the spring of 2020, we will continue to track local and national trends, and will adapt campus policies and practices to the guidance from public health experts. In addition, we continue to ask our students, faculty, and staff to embrace the principles in the Clark Commitment to help us have a productive and fulfilling semester on campus.

Learn more about our approach for Spring 2023

Read the Clark Commitment

COVID in the Community

In addition to national and international developments related to the spread, treatment, and mitigation of COVID-19, Clark tracks local and regional COVID levels. Information about community spread is available through these online resources.

Eastern Massachusetts Wastewater Data

Check out COVID-related wastewater data for eastern Massachusetts via Boston’s Deer Island Treatment Plant dashboard.

View wastewater data

Central Massachusetts Wastewater Data

Check out COVID-related wastewater data for central Massachusetts via the Upper Blackstone River Treatment Plant dashboard.

View wastewater data

City COVID Rates

What are the current COVID rates in Worcester?

Check Worcester rates

State COVID Rates

What are the current COVID rates in Massachusetts?

Check Massachusetts rates

Spring 2023

As we return to for the spring 2023 semester, our current COVID-related procedures and protocols include:

Mask-Wearing

Clark is not requiring the wearing of masks on campus, with limited exceptions.

Read about our mask-wearing guidelines

Vaccination Requirement

Before accessing the campus, Clark students, faculty, and staff must be fully vaccinated/boosted or have received an exemption for health or religious reasons.

Read about our vaccination requirement

Testing and Test Kits

Clark University is no longer conducting community-wide surveillance testing. However, students are strongly encouraged to test at home 24 hours before traveling to campus.

Students are not required to test on arrival to campus, but rapid antigen tests will be available at the Information Desk in the Higgins University Center and at Clark Health Services for those experiencing symptoms.

Employees experiencing symptoms also may access test kits in Higgins or at local pharmacies and then seek reimbursement from their health insurance companies.

Quarantine and Isolation

Exposure to COVID-19 can result in the need to quarantine or isolate. Clark adheres to guidelines set out by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This semester, the University has reserved a handful of private isolation spaces for students with significant health circumstances. However, most students will need to quarantine or isolate in their rooms or at home, following best CDC practices for masking and distancing.

Read about quarantine and isolation at Clark