Last Updated: March 3, 2022 at 3:37 p.m. ET
Latest Updates
This page is continuously being updated to be as relevant and accurate as possible.
March 3, 2022: Test at Home Initiative
In light of Spring Break 2022 approaching, Liberty University Health and Wellness will be launching a “Test at Home” initiative. If you are in need of a rapid antigen at home test kit, they are available free of cost to the Liberty University community. These are first come, first serve while supplies last. Visit the Liberty University Student Health Center and Wellness Initiatives department to pick up your test today!
Students and employees are encouraged to provide documentation of their COVID-19 Booster, as this information will be used to calculate quarantine timeframe.
- Students can submit a record of their booster via the Student Health Form.
- Employees can submit a record of their booster via the Employee Health Form.
Please contact Liberty University Student Health Center and Wellness Initiatives at (434) 592-7770 or at healthandwellness@liberty.edu if you have any questions.
Liberty University will be updating its quarantine and isolation protocol as recommended by the latest CDC update made on December 27, 2021. Please view here for more information on the CDC’s recommendations.
If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate)
Everyone, regardless of vaccination status must:
- Stay in your designated quarantine location or place of residence if you live off campus, for 5 days.
- If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your designated quarantine location or place of residence if you live off campus.
- Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
If you have a fever, continue to stay in your designated quarantine location or place of residence if you live off campus until your fever resolves.
If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 (Quarantine)
If you have been boosted, completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months, or completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months, you must:
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- Test on day 5, if possible.
If you develop symptoms get a test and stay in your designated quarantine location or place of residence if you live off campus.
If you completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted, completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted, or are unvaccinated, you must:
- Stay in your designated quarantine location or place of residence if you live off campus, for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
- Test on day 5 if possible.
If you develop symptoms get a test and stay in your designated quarantine location or place of residence if you live off campus.
Liberty University will be updating its International Travel Policy as recommended by the latest CDC update made on December 30, 2021. Please view here for more information on the CDC’s recommendations.
All travelers must:
- Get tested 3-5 days after travel.
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.
- Isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
- Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements after travel.
If you are not fully vaccinated, you must:
In addition to the testing recommendations above
- Self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel, even if you test negative at 3-5 days.
- If you don’t get tested, self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
If you recovered from a documented COVID-19 infection within the past 90 days (regardless of vaccination status), you do not need to get a test 3-5 days after travel. You also do not need to self-quarantine after travel.
The Biden Administration has placed new guidelines on International Travel into the United States. To read the full briefing see the White House fact sheet here. These changes will be effective beginning November 8. Liberty’s policy for international travel will follow these guidelines.
This will have an impact on international travel. We have highlighted the major updates below.
Non-US Citizens
- Non-US citizens who are nonimmigrants will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and must show a negative result of a recent (no more than three days) COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they will be allowed to board a flight to the United States.
US Citizens
- Travelers who are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents and Immigrants are not required to be fully vaccinated before boarding a flight to the United States but those who are fully vaccinated are still required to show a negative result of a recent (no more than three days) COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding the flight.
Exceptions
- Unvaccinated international travelers, including those not fully vaccinated, who fall under one of these exceptions must show a negative COVID-19 test result on a sample taken no more than 1 day prior to the flight’s departure from a foreign country. Further exception information can be found at this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/proof-of-vaccination.html#noncitizen
Indoor sports, events, and activities capacity restrictions have been lifted effective immediately. Masks and physical distancing are still strongly encouraged.
Convocation and Campus Community will gather in the Vines Center at their regularly scheduled times.
Sept. 9, 2021
The guidelines and updates listed below will be in effect following the conclusion of the COVID-19 mitigation period on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, until further notice. Liberty is resuming classes and indoor gatherings in a balanced way that both allows members of the campus community to select the university experiences they desire and respects the rights and responsibilities of individuals to make basic health decisions about vaccination and mask usage themselves.
Highlights
- All classes will resume in-person instruction with a digital instruction component.
- Masks and physical distancing are strongly encouraged, particularly where signage is posted and when visiting local churches and businesses.
- Indoor sports, events, and activities will be limited to 50% space capacity.
- Convocation and Campus Community will take place in Williams Stadium until further notice.
- Digital attendance options are provided wherever possible when attendance is mandatory.
- Vaccinations are encouraged, and clinics will be available for students, faculty, and staff.
Campus Logistics
- Postal services will continue normal operations and provide student mail services at the 245 ONE-FIVE Express
- The University Events office will continue to assist with event reservations and logistics.
- Indoor events and activities will be limited to 50% space capacity.
Liberty University has been dutifully monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on campus. As a response to the increased rates, Liberty University has made the decision to enact a temporary mitigation period. Effective immediately, please view below for the current plan of action:
- A campus-wide temporary mitigation period will be in effect August 30, 2021-September 10, 2021
- All residential classes will switch to an online platform
- All large indoor gatherings have been suspended during this period
- Indoor dining locations will be providing a takeout option as well as expanding outdoor seating near Reber Thomas.
The university will continue to encourage social hygiene practices that aid in reducing the spread of disease, including physical distancing and wearing a mask. The university will also be announcing upcoming vaccine clinics to be offered on campus.
During the Temporary Mitigation Period university employees who have questions regarding work responsibilities or the capability to work from home should contact their immediate supervisors and hr@liberty.edu. Human Resources in turn will work with the employee and their management concerning these decisions. The following are the basic requirements for an employee to request a work from home agreement:
- Employee’s own health condition
- Family member’s health condition (living with employee)
- Closed school or childcare facility
- Documentation will be required
- Work must be quantifiable and trackable
- Work from Home must meet minimum IT requirements and have insurance
Employees going out due to a positive COVID-19 test have the option of using paid time off, unpaid time, or short term disability (if enrolled)
Please utilize the Meal Request Form to request food while in quarantine if you have an on campus room assignment. Residential students must have a quarantine room assignment on file before they can complete the Meal Request form for meal delivery/pick-up.
We are excited to start off anew with an Academic Year!
- Face masks are no longer required for official and social gatherings of students. Students are not required to wear face masks in all academic buildings, dining locations, and residence halls.
- Physical distancing is no longer required.
- Capacity restrictions have been lifted.
- Wash your hands often. Be sure to utilize soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes. Utilize a tissue or cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Monitor your health daily.
If you begin to experience symptoms, test, or are exposed, be sure to fill out the Self Report Form.
If you have any questions, please contact the Student Health and Wellness Initiatives Department at (434) 592-7770 or at healthandwellness@liberty.edu.
We are looking forward to a fun and safe semester.
Attention Students!
Students in on-campus quarantine are permitted to visit The Food Court at Reber-Thomas for takeout meals.
Order your meal beforehand by using the Transact Mobile Ordering app. Select the Liberty University location and log in.
Be sure to use the “Reber-Thomas Quarantine Meals” selection to order during Dining Hall hours.
Please pick up your quarantine meal at the table outside the entrance of The Food Court at Reber-Thomas. If you cannot locate your meal, please wait outside and call (434) 582-7248 for assistance.
If you have an urgent medical need to speak to a Physician at the LU Student Health Center, contact (434) 338-7774 and click option “1” for this 24/7 service.
As a reminder, if you are in need of toilet paper, meal delivery, or have general housing questions, please contact the Office of Residence Life at residencelife@liberty.edu or (434) 592-4139 , and/or fill out the Meal Request Form.
The LU Student Health Center has a myCVFP app that allows patients to access a symptom checker as well as access to virtual visits. Currently, the virtual visits are not included in the Student Health Fee, so be sure to have your insurance ready for processing.
Past Updates
Liberty University’s policy is in compliance with the CDC’s guidance on International Travel. The policy is as follows:
Unvaccinated Persons:
- Before arrival to the United States, unvaccinated persons are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a flight to the United States.
- After travel, unvaccinated persons are required to get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel, and quarantine for a full 7 days regardless of test result.
- If an unvaccinated person chooses to forego testing, they must quarantine for a full 10 days. Click here for more information.
- If the test result is positive, quarantine is required.
Vaccinated Persons:
- Before arrival to the United States, vaccinated persons are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a flight to the United States.
- After travel, vaccinated persons are required to get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel and self-monitor for symptoms. Click here for more information.
- If vaccinated, you do not need to self-quarantine after arriving in the United States. Click here for more information.
- If the test result is positive, quarantine is required.
Please contact Liberty University Student Health Center and Wellness Initiatives at (434) 592-7770 or at healthandwellness@liberty.edu if you have any questions.
Liberty University’s policy is in compliance with the CDC’s guidance on International Travel. The policy is as follows:
Unvaccinated Persons:
- Before arrival to the United States, unvaccinated persons are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a flight to the United States.
- After travel, unvaccinated persons are required to get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel, and quarantine for a full 7 days regardless of test result.
- If an unvaccinated person chooses to forego testing, they must quarantine for a full 10 days. Click here for more information.
- If the test result is positive, quarantine is required.
Vaccinated Persons:
- Before arrival to the United States, vaccinated persons are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a flight to the United States.
- After travel, vaccinated persons are required to get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel and self-monitor for symptoms. Click here for more information.
- If the test result is positive, quarantine is required.
Please contact Liberty University Student Health Center and Wellness Initiatives at (434) 592-7770 or at healthandwellness@liberty.edu if you have any questions.
Spring 2021 Semester Major Update:
Welcome Back!
As we settle into a new semester, let us remember the guidelines and practices that we must each participate in to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 in our community.
- Face masks are required for all official gatherings of students. Students must wear face masks in all academic buildings, dining locations, and residence halls. If you are in need of a Mask Exemption, please contact the Office of Disability Accommodation Support for more information.
- Maintain a social distance of 6 feet away from others. For a practical visual, you should remain about 2 arm’s length away from others. Remember, there are those without symptoms that may be able to spread the virus.
- Wash your hands often. Be sure to utilize soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes. Utilize a tissue or cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Monitor your health daily. Use the convenient Daily Wellness Survey to monitor your health and track symptoms.
If you begin to experience symptoms, test, or are exposed, be sure to fill out the Self Report Form.
We are looking forward to a fun and safe semester.
Champions Together!
To mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and to uniformly protect our student body at the outset of the Spring 2021 semester, Liberty has implemented a mandatory “Spring 2021 Quarantine Protocol” period, where new and returning residential students are required to be on campus by January 15 in order to allow for two weeks of no in-person meetings, classes, or social gatherings. Students are required to quarantine (on-campus) from January 15 through January 25.
The “Spring 2021 Quarantine Protocol” is different from quarantine/isolation practices that students will be required to adhere to if they receive a positive test result, are in direct contact with someone with a positive test result, or start experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
Monday, January 18, is the first day of access to course content. Be sure to complete the Course Requirement Checklist (CRC) for each of your courses on that day. No other course engagement will be required for residential classes on that day in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
In-person instruction will resume on Monday, January 25. Visit the Academic Calendar for more information on attendance.
Students are required to wear face coverings (except when in their own room) in all residence halls and common areas, wash their hands, and maintain 6 feet of social distancing.
Liberty University Online Students: Spring A and B term online classes will begin Monday, January 18. Online classes will proceed as usual. For any questions regarding intensives, please review the General Operations section under Quick Answers for the latest information and updates on intensives.
Residence Life:
All returning students must be on campus by Friday, January 15, 2021, to begin the mandatory “Spring 2021 Quarantine Protocol” period.
New students are welcome to arrive on Thursday, January 14, 2021.
Returning students must return on Friday, January 15, 2021, so that all students will be here for the “Spring 2021 Quarantine Protocol” period and have time to adjust before commencing in-person classes.
There will be no hall events during the “Spring 2021 Quarantine Protocol” period. Hall events may be planned after the quarantine period and will occur within applicable guidelines.
Health Services will continue to provide COVID-19 testing at the triage location in Residential Commons III.
Failure to Comply:
Students who fail to arrive by Friday, January 15, 2021, will be subject to the following:
- A $100 Administrative Fee will be assessed to their student account.
- Students will be denied admittance to their on-campus housing assignment for non-compliance.
- Must submit or present a negative PCR COVID-19 test result upon arrival. Submissions must be sent through the Self Report Form. The test must be administered within 72 hours prior to arriving on campus. Students arriving without a negative test result must be tested at the Student Health Center upon arrival and assigned to the Annex until a negative result has been received.
- Mandatory daily wellness check for 14 days post-arrival.
Students may request an exemption from quarantine by completing a Quarantine Exemption Form. This form must be emailed to healthandwellness@liberty.edu to be processed for approval. The deadline to submit this form is Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Spring textbook orders will be ONLINE ONLY. Avoid the rush and order by 1/12/2021 to ensure you have your course materials ready before classes start. Here are the instructions to easily place your order.
- Auto-load your books through ASIST.
- Login to ASIST
- Click on “Student”
- Click “Registration”
- Click “My Books”
- Click “Get books”
This will take you to the Bookstore website, where all of your course materials will be waiting for you to review based upon your schedule.
Positive Test Quarantine Protocol
Those who test positive for COVID-19 must:
- Quarantine for 10 days from onset of symptoms date
- If no symptoms are present, quarantine for 10 days from the positive test date
Example: Mary develops a cough and fever on January 1. Her symptoms have improved, and she does not have a weakened immune system. She should remain in quarantine through January 11. Mary leaves quarantine on January 12th.
Spring 2021: Quarantine Update
Important Quarantine Update for those who have received COVID-19 Vaccination:
The CDC has released a new policy for those who have received full vaccination and are then later exposed to a suspected or confirmed positive COVID-19 case.
Liberty University will abide by CDC’s guidance and the policy is as follows:
Vaccinated persons with an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they meet all of the following criteria:
- Are fully vaccinated (greater than, or equal to 2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or greater than or equal to 2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)
- Are within 3 months following receipt of the last dose in the series
- Have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure
Those who do not meet all 3 of the above criteria will need to quarantine.
Fully vaccinated persons who do not quarantine should still self-monitor for COVID-19 related symptoms for 14 days following an exposure. If they begin to experience symptoms, they should be clinically evaluated and should visit the Student Health Center, or their primary healthcare provider.
If you were instructed to quarantine, and have already received full vaccination, please contact the Student Health Center and Wellness Initiatives office at (434) 592-7770.
Important Quarantine Update for those who have received COVID-19 Vaccination:
The CDC has released an updated policy for those who have received full vaccination and are then later exposed to a suspected or confirmed positive COVID-19 case.
Liberty University will abide by CDC’s guidance and the policy is as follows:
Vaccinated persons with an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they meet all of the following criteria:
- Are fully vaccinated (greater than, or equal to 2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or greater than or equal to 2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)
- Have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure
Those who do not meet both of the above criteria will need to quarantine.
Fully vaccinated persons who do not quarantine should still self-monitor for COVID-19 related symptoms for 14 days following an exposure. If they begin to experience symptoms, they should be clinically evaluated and should visit the Student Health Center, or their primary healthcare provider.
If you were instructed to quarantine, and have already received full vaccination, please contact the Student Health Center and Wellness Initiatives office at (434) 592-7770.
For actively enrolled students and employees of Liberty University
Liberty University has partnered with Central Virginia Family Physicians (CVFP) to administer the COVID-19 Vaccine. When the vaccine becomes available, those interested will be notified by CVFP and given specific details about their appointment to receive the vaccine.
Those who are eligible for the vaccine must meet criteria for distribution guidelines established by the state of Virginia. We are currently in phase 1C. Please click the following link for more specifics on Vaccine Phases, provided by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
If you are interested in receiving, and are eligible for the vaccine, please utilize the following link to be placed on the COVID-19 Vaccine Waitlist.
Effective Monday, December 14, 2020.
- All social gatherings must be limited to 10 individuals, down from the previous cap of 25. Social gatherings include, but are not limited to, parties, celebrations, or other social events, regardless of whether they occur indoors or outdoors. This does not apply to religious services, employment settings, or educational settings, except where those facilities would be rented out or used by others for social gatherings (i.e., employee parties, student socials, and wedding receptions). Restaurants and retail stores are already governed by strict social distancing requirements and are not included in this ten-person limit. The presence of more than 10 people in a particular location, such as a park, or retail business is not a “gathering” if individuals do not congregate. This restriction does not apply to the gathering of family members living in the same residence.
- Occupancy at fitness and exercise facilities (including LaHaye Fitness Center) is limited to 75% of the lowest occupancy load. However, the total number of attendees (including both participants and instructors) in all group exercise and fitness classes cannot exceed 75% of the minimum occupancy load or 10 persons, whichever is less.
- Williams Stadium, Vines Center, Tower Theater, LaHaye Ice Center, Montview Bowling Alley, and Snowflex now have an occupancy load of the lesser of 30% of the venue’s load capacity or 250 persons. The spectator limit excludes
- Please note: Restaurants and foodservice operations rules have not changed. Please remember to maintain social distancing and wear face coverings.
Direct Contact Quarantine Protocol
On December 10, 2020, the CDC released an updated protocol for Direct Contacts. In compliance with this change, the updated Liberty University Direct Contact Protocol is as follows:
All individuals who have been identified as Direct Contacts must quarantine.
Quarantine keeps someone who might have been exposed to the virus away from others.
What counts as Direct Contact?
- You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more
- You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
- You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)
- You shared eating or drinking utensils
- They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you
As a Direct Contact, it is your responsibility to stay at home and quarantine for 14 days.
Options to reduce quarantine:
If you have been identified as a Direct Contact and are asymptomatic, please adhere to the following:
- Fill out a self-report form
- Quarantine for 10 days from your last date of contact
- Should you test after day 5 of quarantine, and receive a negative result, quarantine for 7 days from your last date of contact
- Under the main “Students” section at the top, added:
- Please note that all summer intensive courses for online programs with the exception of Exercise Science (EXSC) 511 and 551 have been moved to a digital format. Students registered for intensive courses will receive detailed guidance regarding course schedule and delivery from their instructor at the beginning of the summer term.
Liberty University announces plans to fully reopen in August
Current Operating Status: Liberty University remains open ONLY to students, employees, and those conducting University business.
Students
- As a customer service measure, Liberty University announced that students who did not return to use their on-campus residence hall room for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester (departing on-campus housing as of March 28, 2020) will receive an automatic $1,000 credit toward any of their Fall 2020 charges (room, board, tuition, fees). The credit will be disbursed onto the student’s account after they begin active enrollment and on Liberty’s standard financial aid disbursement schedule.
- In observance of social distancing, effective immediately all employee physical payroll checks will be mailed. Employees are encouraged to complete a direct deposit form and submit it to Human Resources as this is the fastest way to receive your paycheck. When submitting your form, remember to sign it and include your Liberty ID #, and include either a bank verification letter or voided check that clearly shows your name and the routing and account numbers.
- Please note that all summer intensive courses for online programs with the exception of Exercise Science (EXSC) 511 and 551 have been moved to a digital format. Students registered for intensive courses will receive detailed guidance regarding course schedule and delivery from their instructor at the beginning of the summer term.
- Please note that all fall intensive courses for online programs with the exception of Nursing (NURS) 740 & 741 have been moved to a digital format. Students registered for intensive courses will receive detailed guidance regarding course schedule and delivery from their instructor at the beginning of the fall term.
Faculty & Staff
- Announcement: President’s Statement Regarding COVID-19
- Faculty should make any COVID-19 related work-related adjustments with your dean and Provost Office.
- Staff who have questions regarding COVID-19 related work assignments should contact their supervisors.
- Please report to your supervisor if you are experiencing symptoms.
- Employee physical payroll checks will be mailed. Employees are encouraged to complete a direct deposit form and submit it to Human Resources as this is the fastest way to receive your paycheck. When submitting your form, remember to sign it and include your Liberty ID #, and include either a bank verification letter or voided check that clearly shows your name and the routing and account numbers.
How We’re Making Decisions
The safety of the Liberty University community is our primary concern. Liberty University officials have been meeting regularly and carefully monitoring the situation, maintaining contact with state public health officials, and following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for college campuses. The decisions we are making rely heavily on the guidance we are receiving from the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health and are intended to protect the health and welfare of our students, faculty, staff, and local community.
On May 9, 2020, Governor Northam signed Executive Order 61, presenting a detailed framework of a phased re-opening plan for Virginia. Most of the state was able to enter Phase One on Friday, May 15. See the full Executive Order.
COVID-19 has affected many countries around the world. Liberty University will continue to monitor the guidance from local, state, and federal public health officials. For the most up-to-date information, visit CDC or The Virginia Department of Health.
Travel
Liberty University has made the decision to cancel all upcoming international Liberty-sponsored travel over for Summer 2020. See news release for Liberty’s response to COVID-19 and international travel. In doing so, we ask each of you to take into account the possibility of travel delays, future quarantines, or prolonged self-isolation when returning from travel to our communities. Faculty and staff are also advised to carefully consider these resources while monitoring U.S. Department of State and CDC travel alerts prior to departure.