In response to COVID-19 cases declining on campus, Hamilton College moved to Operating Status Blue effective Tuesday, Feb. 1. This change relaxes many restrictions, including testing: all students, faculty and staff are now required to only test once a week on Mondays, with optional Thursday testing still available.

Masks must be worn in all College buildings, except when attending to personal hygiene or eating and drinking in dining halls. However, a new exception has been made for residence halls. Vaccinated students no longer need to wear masks anywhere inside their own residence hall, which includes common rooms and kitchens.

During the Green operating status period, access to College buildings was restricted to vaccinated visitors on approved College business. This included admissions tours, which have been delayed till the week of Feb. 21. Now, all vaccinated and boosted visitors are allowed.

The notification process for positive cases has also been automated. If a student tests positive, they will receive an email with instructions on what to do next, before campus safety takes them to isolation in a hotel (or in-room isolation if hotels are filled). To take the responsibility off of students who test positive, the Health Center will automatically notify faculty and coaches on the student’s behalf. The College will also work with each student to notify their close contacts. Close contacts who are boosted will not need to quarantine.

Although New York State has adopted the revised CDC guidance for five days of isolation, the College is choosing to err on the side of caution, as a significant number of people remain infectious after five days. Hamilton is requiring that individuals test negative with a rapid test on day six or day eight before being released.