Frequently Asked Questions

Latest updates

• I am an employee. What do I do if I have tested positive for COVID-19?

• My COVID-19 test kits have expired. What do I do?

• What are the masking requirements for spring 2023?

Testing and support

• My COVID-19 test kits have expired. What do I do?

• What will happen if/when employees test positive?

• What will happen if/when students test positive?

Contact tracing

• What will happen if/when employees test positive?

• What will happen if/when students test positive?

Quarantine and isolation

• Do unvaccinated employees who have been in close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive or suspected of having COVID-19 have to quarantine or test negative before returning to their workplace?

• How can students continue their coursework if they are required to isolate?

• I am an employee of Penn State, what do I do if I have, or think I have, been exposed to COVID-19?

• What will happen if/when employees test positive?

• What will happen if/when students test positive?

Health guidelines

• Can I request that masks are worn in my office/during office hours?

• Do unvaccinated employees who have been in close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive or suspected of having COVID-19 have to quarantine or test negative before returning to their workplace?

• How can I find COVID-19 resources in my local community?

• I am an employee of Penn State, what do I do if I have, or think I have, been exposed to COVID-19?

• I am an employee. What do I do if I have tested positive for COVID-19?

• I would like students in my class to continue wearing masks. How should I communicate this to my class?

• What are the masking requirements for spring 2023?

• What if I lost my vaccination card?

• What if students do not cooperate with my request to wear masks in the classroom?

• What is the masking policy for in-person human subjects research?

• What will happen if/when employees test positive?

• What will happen if/when students test positive?

Vaccine information

• Can a supervisor (or can other employees) ask for the vaccination status of an employee?

• Can instructors ask a student if they are vaccinated?

• How can students share their booster shot information with the University and do they need to do so?

• How do I share my vaccination status with the University?

• Is Penn State making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for employees or students?

• What if I lost my vaccination card?

Classes and academics

• How can students continue their coursework if they are required to isolate?

• I would like students in my class to continue wearing masks. How should I communicate this to my class?

• What if students do not cooperate with my request to wear masks in the classroom?

Human resources and employee information

• Can a supervisor (or can other employees) ask for the vaccination status of an employee?

• Can I request that masks are worn in my office/during office hours?

• Do unvaccinated employees who have been in close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive or suspected of having COVID-19 have to quarantine or test negative before returning to their workplace?

• How do I share my vaccination status with the University?

• I am an employee of Penn State, what do I do if I have, or think I have, been exposed to COVID-19?

• I am an employee. What do I do if I have tested positive for COVID-19?

• I would like students in my class to continue wearing masks. How should I communicate this to my class?

• Is Penn State making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for employees or students?

• What are the masking requirements for spring 2023?

• What if I lost my vaccination card?

• What will happen if/when employees test positive?

Research

• What is the masking policy for in-person human subjects research?

Student expectations

• How can students continue their coursework if they are required to isolate?

• How can students share their booster shot information with the University and do they need to do so?

• What are the masking requirements for spring 2023?

Federal funding

• Where can I find Penn State’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund reporting information?