Madrid's government considers that most of its population is protected against severe COVID-19 due to current vaccination rates and natural immunity for those who have contracted the disease. 

Efforts are now directed at protecting those who are at risk of developing severe conditions. Thus, the Madrid Province continues to recommend that people wear face masks indoors and in public spaces where personal distance cannot be maintained. The government requires the use of face masks on public transportation, in pharmacies and health care facilities. 

Anyone who experiences COVID-19 symptoms should limit going out of the home and contact health professionals for testing and treatment. 

Anyone experiencing severe symptoms — such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, pale/bluish lips or face — should seek emergency medical attention or phone 112. 

If you are exposed to COVID-19 or have COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), wear a face mask on campus and in public, take extra precautions around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 and get tested.

If you test positive for COVID-19, please email or call the Office of Student Affairs at +34 638 763 758. You are not required to isolate unless you are experiencing severe symptoms. You will, however, need to wear a face mask on campus at all times. We recommend that you also keep your face mask on in public and take necessary precautions for the well-being of others.

Absences due to COVID-19 will be handled similarly to absences due to other health-related issues, such as those brought on by the flu or surgery. You should contact your instructors to discuss how you can stay up to date in your courses. Some instructors may provide "hybrid" options/video-conferencing for students who are unable to attend classes; however, they are not required to do so as it may distract from the learning of those attending in person. 

Spain and the European Union are not requiring vaccinations for students to initiate or continue their studies. Therefore, SLU-Madrid does not require that students get the COVID-19 vaccination. A vaccination record and/or booster may be required for entry into Spain.

The burden of staying safe on campus is largely vested in our student population and their commitment to protecting our community. If you are eligible and have not been vaccinated for COVID-19, please consider getting vaccinated.

The Spanish government has established a flat rate for COVID-19 tests, available in pharmacies. Information about tests for travel/repatriation through Sanitas and other labs is available here. The U.S. Embassy also provides a list of COVID-19 testing and lab locations in Madrid. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Borrás at dr.borras@gmail.com, Sanitas Asesoría médica 24 hours at +34 91 752 29 02 or the Office of Student Affairs (studentlife-madrid@slu.edu). 

Face masks are optional on campus, with the expectation that we will live our Jesuit values as we interact with one another. There are members of our community who are vulnerable to severe COVID-19 infection, or who live with or are caring for vulnerable loved ones.

As a community, we have a shared expectation that we will show care for the well-being of others by putting on a face mask when we interact with someone who is wearing a face mask. This means:

• You should carry a mask with you.
• If you approach someone to have a conversation and he/she is wearing a mask, please put on your mask.
• If you are just passing someone in the hallway who is masked, you do not need to put on your mask.
• If an instructor chooses to wear a mask while teaching or if a student wears a mask while in class, this does not mean that the entire class must be masked for the length of class. But if you are actively engaging with a masked faculty member or student in a small group or individual interaction, go ahead and put on your mask.

SLU-Madrid's classrooms are no longer configured to guarantee social distancing; thus, the use of face masks may be required in some classrooms or offices, out of respect and concern for students, faculty, or staff who may be at risk of developing severe conditions. 

We continue to recommend periodic handwashing and the use of hand-sanitizing stations with hydro-alcoholic gel located throughout campus, including at all key entrance and exit points. A Dyson Wash and Dry Pod, where you can soap, wash, and dry your hands, is also available at the cafeteria entrance.

SLU-Madrid has implemented daily disinfecting efforts on campus, with special attention to high-touch surfaces. Disinfectant detergent and paper towels are available in all shared offices and classrooms for additional sanitation during the day.

SLU-Madrid has ensured that the infrastructure and services are in place to support students if they become ill or need to self-isolate due to exposure to COVID-19. This safety measure requires host families to provide additional meal service and sanitary measures; thus, an additional 15 euros per day will be charged to the student for each day of prescribed confinement. If the host family is affected and/or cannot provide host family services, SLU-Madrid will move the student to a different housing accommodation. 

Students living with host families will follow the protocols recommended by Spain's health authorities. They must take responsibility for personal care and facilitate the cleaning/disinfection of their rooms and belongings. As on campus, students must follow all protocols, including but not limited to, social distancing, travel restrictions, use of personal protection equipment and possible confinement. In addition, host families may set restrictions on visitors to their homes. Detailed guidelines are available here.

SLU-Madrid's residential partners have also established health and safety protocols according to the requirements established by Spanish Health Authorities for this type of business. For additional information, contact your residence provider directly.

The health and safety of our community is a shared responsibility that requires all students, faculty and staff to be accountable for behaviors on and off campus. All members of the SLU-Madrid community will be required to follow the directives issued by Spain's health authorities. At present, these include mandatory use of masks in health care facilities and pharmacies and on public transportation. Consult the Madrid Province COVID-19 website for further information.

SLU-Madrid recommends that students from outside of Spain make travel arrangements that permit changes in the event of a need to return home due to unforeseen circumstances. All students from outside of Spain should consult the Spain Travel Health website for additional information and the documentation needed to travel to Spain.

Restrictions related to COVID-19 may vary widely by region in Spain, across Europe, and around the world. If you plan to travel from Spain to other destinations, you must monitor the travel information specific to your destination and to your return to Madrid. You should also review the CDC's travel guidelines, which include not traveling if you have COVID-19 symptoms, have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last ten days, are awaiting the result of a COVID-19 test, or have had recent close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Sources we turn to for information about COVID-19 include the Madrid Province (Comunidad de Madrid), Spain's National Ministry of Health, the U.S. Embassy in Spain, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.