Isolation & Quarantine at OHIO
If a person is under mandatory isolation or quarantine under the direction of public health officials, compliance is enforceable by law.
Isolation (as defined by the CDC): separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
Quarantine (as defined by the CDC): separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
Students, faculty, and staff who are COVID-positive must not return to campus activities until cleared by COVID Operations. Students may return home to their permanent address for isolation or quarantine, but we encourage families to consider the safety implications of travel and potential exposure to other family members or individuals. Residential students who test positive and choose to isolate on campus, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, must move to OHIO's isolation residence hall. Unvaccinated residential students who are identified as close contacts and choose to quarantine on campus, must move to OHIO’s quarantine residence hall.
Students may order meals from Culinary Services to be delivered to isolation and quarantine residence halls or may order from other local food delivery services. Academic accommodations will be made for all students (on or off campus) who are in isolation or quarantine. COVID campus liaisons (CCL) will provide resources and support for OHIO students, faculty, and staff who must isolate or quarantine.
Reference Guide: When to Isolate, Quarantine
Vaccinated Individuals
| Symptomatic |
Anyone, regardless of vaccination status, with symptoms of COVID-19 should follow the OHIO COVID-19 Protocol for symptomatic individuals. Stay home away from others and follow isolation instructions. |
|---|---|
| Tested positive |
Anyone, regardless of vaccination status, who tests positive for COVID-19 should follow the OHIO COVID-19 Protocol for positive individuals. Stay home away from others and follow isolation instructions. |
| Known exposure / close contact with an individual who has tested positive | Fully vaccinated individuals do not have to quarantine but still must test and monitor symptoms, as outlined in the OHIO COVID-19 Protocol for exposed individuals. |
| No symptoms, no known exposure, and awaiting test results (e.g., from Vault Health on campus) | No need to quarantine. Continue taking everyday precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. |
Unvaccinated Individuals
| Symptomatic |
Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should follow the OHIO COVID-19 Protocol for symptomatic individuals. Stay home away from others and follow isolation instructions. |
|---|---|
| Tested positive |
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should follow the OHIO COVID-19 Protocol for positive individuals. Stay home away from others and follow isolation instructions. |
| Known exposure / close contact with an individual who has tested positive |
Unvaccinated individuals with a known exposure should follow the OHIO COVID-19 Protocol for exposed individuals. Stay home and follow quarantine instructions until you have spoken with a CCL. |
| No symptoms, no known exposure, and awaiting test results (e.g., from Vault Health on campus) | No need to quarantine. Continue taking everyday precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Reminder: Unvaccinated OHIO students, faculty, and staff are required to participate in weekly asymptomatic testing through the COVID-19 Testing Pathway Program. |
| Unvaccinated international travelers | Follow quarantine instructions according to CDC guidance. |