Health & Safety Protocols
What to Expect When Coming to Campus
Last updated: 13 APR 2023
The health, safety, and well-being of our entire HBS community remain our top priority. We continue to monitor health and safety protocols as provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State of Massachusetts, and Harvard University and will make adjustments if the public health situation changes.
COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend an HBS Executive Education program on campus.* However, we strongly encourage all Executive Education participants, visitors and guests coming to campus to be up to date (per their country's recommendations) on their COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. We ask that you do not come to campus if you are sick, have been asked to quarantine or isolate, or have tested positive within the five days prior to your visit to campus.
*Exception: COVID-19 vaccination is required for programs consisting of 29+ consecutive days on campus. You will be notified well in advance if this applies to your program.
To explore upcoming programs, use our program finder or view our full program schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need to be fully vaccinated and boosted before coming to campus?
COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend an HBS Executive Education program on campus.* However, we strongly encourage all Executive Education participants, visitors and guests coming to campus to be up to date (per their country’s recommendations) on their COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. We ask that you do not come to campus if you are sick, have been asked to quarantine or isolate, or have tested positive within the five days prior to your visit to campus.
*Exception: COVID-19 vaccination is required for programs consisting of 29+ consecutive days on campus. You will be notified well in advance if this applies to your program.
What are the current requirements for international travel to the United States?
The U.S. Department of State continues to monitor health and safety requirements for travel to the United States. We recommend that you stay abreast of requirements, and review travel guidelines as you plan for your trip and prior to your flight.
Is HBS able to help me facilitate an expedited visa appointment?
As travel regulations vary greatly and are updated frequently, we encourage you to stay abreast of all travel requirements that will apply to your personal travel plans. Given the backlog that many countries are experiencing, we encourage you to consult with your nearest U.S. Embassy. While HBS is not able to assist you with the visa or NIE process for executive education programs, we can provide a letter with additional program information to admitted participants that you can include with your documentation.
If I am unable to secure a visa, can I cancel and receive a refund?
If you are unable to secure a visa, we can discuss options to either transfer your enrollment or cancel your participation for a full refund.
What is your cancellation policy if travel restrictions or a positive COVID-19 test
prevent me from traveling to campus to attend my program?
Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test during my stay on campus?
What protocols are in place if I test positive? Will I be required to isolate?
Will I be required to quarantine if a fellow participant tests positive?
Will I be required to wear a mask?
What are the shared living arrangements and what precautions are being taken for those
spaces?
Executive education residence halls feature individual bedrooms, each with a private bathroom. Bedrooms are disinfected per CDC-recommended standards between occupancy.
Each living group also includes a shared living space, including a meeting area with a conference table, a soft seating area, and a kitchenette. In these shared spaces, high-touch surfaces are disinfected each night per CDC-recommended standards.
What precautions are taking place to ensure air quality and ventilation?
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Preparing to Come to Campus
Will I need to be fully vaccinated and boosted before coming to campus?
COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend an HBS Executive Education program on campus.* However, we strongly encourage all Executive Education participants, visitors and guests coming to campus to be up to date (per their country’s recommendations) on their COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. We ask that you do not come to campus if you are sick, have been asked to quarantine or isolate, or have tested positive within the five days prior to your visit to campus.
*Exception: COVID-19 vaccination is required for programs consisting of 29+ consecutive days on campus. You will be notified well in advance if this applies to your program.
VISA/TravelWhat are the current requirements for international travel to the United States?
The U.S. Department of State continues to monitor health and safety requirements for travel to the United States. We recommend that you stay abreast of requirements, and review travel guidelines as you plan for your trip and prior to your flight.
Is HBS able to help me facilitate an expedited visa appointment?
As travel regulations vary greatly and are updated frequently, we encourage you to stay abreast of all travel requirements that will apply to your personal travel plans. Given the backlog that many countries are experiencing, we encourage you to consult with your nearest U.S. Embassy. While HBS is not able to assist you with the visa or NIE process for executive education programs, we can provide a letter with additional program information to admitted participants that you can include with your documentation.
If I am unable to secure a visa, can I cancel and receive a refund?
If you are unable to secure a visa, we can discuss options to either transfer your enrollment or cancel your participation for a full refund.
What is your cancellation policy if travel restrictions or a positive COVID-19 test prevent me from traveling to campus to attend my program?
If you are unable to attend due to travel restrictions issued or a positive COVID-19 test after you've been accepted to a program, we can discuss options to either transfer your enrollment or cancel your participation for a full refund.Staying on CampusWill I be required to take a COVID-19 test during my stay on campus?
HBS no longer requires regular COVID-19 testing. However, if you feel unwell and/or experience/exhibit symptoms during your program, you will be asked to not physically participate in any program activities and test for COVID-19. If you test positive, you will be required to follow the positive-case protocols outlined below. If you wish to test regularly, you will need to provide your own test kits.What protocols are in place if I test positive? Will I be required to isolate?
More details will be provided upon a positive test result, but if you test positive for COVID-19, you will not be permitted to physically participate in any program activities during your isolation period. Per CDC guidelines, the isolation period is generally five full days after the date of the positive test or, if applicable, when symptoms first began (regardless of when you tested positive). As long as you choose to remain on campus, you will generally need to stay in your bedroom (isolated from others) during your isolation period with limited exceptions. If your isolation period extends beyond the end date of your program and you would like to stay on campus until its conclusion, we will discuss feasibility with you at that time.Will I be required to quarantine if a fellow participant tests positive?
No, however, if you start to feel unwell and/or experience/exhibit any COVID-19-related symptoms, per our policy, you will be asked to not physically participate in any program activities and test for COVID-19. More information will be provided to you at that time.Will I be required to wear a mask?
Masks are optional (except when completing isolation protocol after a positive COVID-19 test) and available at many locations throughout the HBS campus. The decision to wear a mask in settings where it is not required is a personal one and all members of the HBS community are encouraged to choose the option with which they are most comfortable. Note that masks remain required off-campus in certain settings, including healthcare facilities.What are the shared living arrangements and what precautions are being taken for those spaces?
Executive education residence halls feature individual bedrooms, each with a private bathroom. Bedrooms are disinfected per CDC-recommended standards between occupancy.
Each living group also includes a shared living space, including a meeting area with a conference table, a soft seating area, and a kitchenette. In these shared spaces, high-touch surfaces are disinfected each night per CDC-recommended standards.
What precautions are taking place to ensure air quality and ventilation?
Air filters have been upgraded in all areas possible to meet or exceed CDC, State of Massachusetts, and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards. In all cases, ventilation and airflow have been increased as much as feasible without affecting the thermal comfort of occupants, in line with the standards noted above.
Have other questions not related to COVID-19? Please consult our standard Executive Education FAQs.