Changes to COVID Isolation and Quarantine Support
On Oct. 31, Gov. Jay Inslee lifted the COVID state of emergency that had been in effect since February 2020. This is another step in the state’s drawdown from the pandemic, and it is being mirrored here at Western. If you have not read the entire statement from Western, please view it here.

What does this mean for residents living on campus?
Beginning on January 2, 2023, all students who test positive for COVID will self-isolate in their room.

How can you prepare for these changes?

• Review campus Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines, which includes information on what to do if you test positive for COVID or if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.
• Things to consider include your ability to travel to a permanent residence for your isolation period or the need to isolate in place on campus, access to food, laundry needs, etc.
• If you do test positive, campus dining offers a sick meal program. The sick meal program provides an opportunity for friends or roommates to use your Western ID to pick up a to-go meal in any of the three dining commons locations (Viking Commons, Fairhaven Commons, Ridge Commons).
  • If you are unable to find anyone to assist you with meal deliveries, you also have the option to mask up and pick up a to-go meal from the dining hall or one of the many retail locations across campus.
• If you do test positive for COVID and have a need to move to isolation (high-risk residents) or if you have a strong desire to quarantine away from roommates who have tested positive, we have isolation/quarantine housing in Birnam Wood that can be offered on a case-by-case basis as space allows. If you need isolation or quarantine housing in Birnam Wood, please contact your Resident Director or the Resident Advisor/Apartment Advisor on call for your community at night and on the weekends. Transportation will be provided to Birnam Wood. Meals will not be provided; however, residents will continue to have access to the sick meal program in isolation and quarantine housing.

University Residences primary goal is to provide safe residential communities. To promote a healthy and safe living environment, University Residences will continue to partner with public health officials to make changes in response to the COVID pandemic.

WWU Testing

Housing works closely with University, local and state health officials to stay up to date on COVID-19 best practices and safety guidelines. For more information, on testing in the residence halls, visit Campus Virus Testing.

Isolation

All students living on campus should self-isolate in their room for five days when testing positive for COVID. Students also have the option to return to their permanent residence to isolate. Students who need to move to isolation (high-risk students) or who have a strong desire to quarantine away from roommates will be offered isolation/quarantine housing in Birnam Wood on a case-by-case basis and as space allows.