Visitor Health and Safety Guidelines

For the Safety of Our Staff and Visitors
Chart noting COVID-19 community levels and masking guidance for the Johns Hopkins APL campus
The current COVID-19 Community Level for Howard County, Maryland, is Low. Masking is optional on the Johns Hopkins APL campus.

 All persons visiting APL must be free from any illness or symptoms common to COVID-19.

Visitors who are required to check in for a badge must complete the COVID-19 daily health check below to enter the main campus and other APL facilities. Staff members and visitors who are not fully vaccinated must maintain physical distance from others.

Currently proof of a negative test is not required to enter APL facilities. Screen testing of unvaccinated visitors has been suspended.

Visitors with a take-home picture badge (not required to check in on arrival) must be fully vaccinated to enter the main campus and other APL facilities. These visitors can use this FedRAMP-certified secure form to enter proof of their vaccination status

Staff and visitors are not required to wear a mask regardless of community level or vaccination status. Those who prefer to wear masks should continue to do so. We ask everyone to be considerate of those who choose to mask, and to consider wearing masks when working closely with others who are wearing them. These policies apply to all APL field offices unless precluded by state or local requirements.

To avoid delays and streamline the entry process, all visitors should check with their APL hosts about advance registration.

Hosts of any event held at APL facilities outside of the security perimeter must ensure compliance with all COVID-19 requirements in effect at the time of the event. While the Lab expects outside (non-APL) hosts of events at the Kossiakoff Center and other facilities to abide by APL requirements, the method they use is at their discretion. Event organizers can use their own means to verify vaccination status.

Mandatory COVID-19 Questionnaire for All Visitors

Question 1: Have you tested positive for COVID-19 in the past ten days but not yet been cleared to return to work?

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 but have not been cleared to return to work, per APL policy and current state and health agency guidance, you will not be allowed access to the facility.

Question 2: Are you currently experiencing or have you experienced ANY of the following symptoms common to a COVID-19 infection in the last five days?

  • Unusual headache
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Cough
  • Fever or chills
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
  • Muscle or body aches
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

If you are currently symptomatic or have experienced symptoms in the past five days, per APL policy and current state and health agency guidance, you will not be allowed access to the facility.

Question 3: Have you had a known exposure to a COVID-positive person within the last five days?

If yes, then you are required to wear a tight-fitting mask over your nose and mouth in all indoor locations during your visit.