Coronavirus
(COVID-19)
Information Center
All community members should follow PA guidelines for leaving and returning to the Commonwealth, including any quarantining and testing requirements.
Student Travel: During the semester, students should not travel away from the Bethlehem area, except for emergency circumstances, as this will reduce the risk of infection and transmission of the coronavirus. This includes trips home to visit family and friends, and especially to other college campuses or for related social activities. For students who travel outside of Bethlehem during the semester, their return to campus will require a COVID-19 testing protocol. We also expect that all students will follow all current PA requirements as described by the Commonwealth regarding leaving and before returning to Pennsylvania.
Travel guidance for students who test positive for COVID-19 or are identified as a close contact of an individual who tested positive: Lehigh strongly urges students to not travel after receiving a positive test result or being identified as a close contact. If you must, the Lehigh University Health and Wellness Center's current recommendation is that students who test positive or are identified as a close contact may travel if they are able to do so by private vehicle, but they should not use public transportation, which includes plane, train, bus, or rideshare. A student who is quarantining because they are identified as a close contact of someone who tested positive must complete the full 14 days of quarantine even if they test negative for the virus during that time frame.
Faculty and Staff Travel: University-related travel has been restricted since March 2020 due to health concerns. Because of the potential need for quarantining upon return from a long list of states as well as international travel, loosening these restrictions is not advised at this time. Therefore, all non-essential University-related travel should be deferred. ADDED 11/18: For personal travel, we expect that faculty and staff follow all quarantining and testing guidelines upon returning to Pennsylvania as described by the Commonwealth. These do not apply to people who commute to and from another state for work or medical treatment.
Transportation: Parking Services has sent updated information regarding parking options and fees for the Fall semester. Check your email. Transportation services will continue to operate TapRide until further notice. Learn more about TapRide >
Students who have applied for fall study abroad are working directly with program providers, who are continuing to adjust their schedules based on local conditions. ITAC will continue to monitor conditions that will affect study abroad programs directed by our partner providers.
Lehigh strongly urges students to not travel after receiving a positive test result or being identified as a close contact. If you must, the Lehigh Health and Wellness Center's current recommendation is that students who test positive or are identified as a close contact may travel if they are able to do so by private vehicle, but they should not use public transportation, which includes plane, train, bus, or rideshare.
Travel, both domestic and international, can present risks associated with exposure to COVID-19. Although travel by the university has been limited, those coming from international and out-of-state locations should follow the current Pennsylvania guidelines for quarantining and testing requirements.
Our success in returning to our vibrant on-campus experience will take the efforts of all of us, individually and collectively. We welcome your questions, ideas and suggestions.