Updated September 15, 2021

Our Shared Responsibilities in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Himalayan Institute holds the wellbeing and safety of our guests, staff and community as our top most priority. We invite you to come and enjoy our vibrant, friendly environment with the understanding that we all have a shared responsibility to follow best practices at the Institute and in our personal lives, for everyone’s health and peace of mind.

Our Promise to You. We will:

• Require guests and visitors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Require masks in all public places indoors.
• Require Wellness Check questions for all staff and guests on campus (see below).
• Adhere to COVID-19 best practices protocols based on CDC and State and Federal government guidelines.
• Maintain thorough cleaning and ventilation throughout our buildings.
• Provide hand sanitizer stations.
• Strive to provide you with what you need to make your experience with us outstanding.

Your Promise to Us. You will:

• Follow our guidance on keeping our campus safe and healthy for all.
• Agree to be fully vaccinated before visiting. 
• Provide proof of vaccination (website below).
• Wear a mask indoors in all public areas.
• Incorporate best practices for a COVID-19 safer lifestyle and travel, at least for the 14 days before you visit the Institute. (see below)
• Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer as needed.
• Choose another time to visit the Institute if you:
  • are ill
  • have been exposed in the last 14 days to anyone with COVID-19,
  • have been exposed to an area with high COVID-19 cases where you are not able to maintain Covid-safe practices.
  • have travelled internationally in the last 14 days
  • are not able or willing to abide by our protocols.

Vaccination Requirements

• We require guests and visitors at the Himalayan Institute to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. You are fully vaccinated when:
  • A full 2 weeks have passed since your second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
  • A full 2 weeks have passed after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

Acceptable vaccines are those authorized or approved by the World Health Organization. Follow this link for the acceptable vaccines list. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/covid-19-vaccines/advice 

• If you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Please choose another time to visit the Himalayan Institute.
• Overnight Guests are required to provide proof of vaccination prior to arrival. Email a photo of your vaccination card to: covidvaccine@himalayaninstitute.org  Please bring your proof of vaccination with you when you visit.
• Day visitors are required to provide proof of vaccination upon arrival

Masks

• Masks are required in all indoor public spaces throughout the Institute including indoor yoga classes and lectures. 
• You may remove your mask when actively eating or drinking in dining areas, but please put it back on immediately after.
• Masks are required in the Sri Vidya Shrine; recitations are done silently 

• Masks are not required in outdoor settings unless gathered in a group close together

Wellness Questions

• We will ask you these COVID-19 related wellness questions on arrival. If you answer ‘yes’ to any of them, you will need to choose another time to visit.
  1. Do you have any COVID-19 symptoms not related to a pre-existing condition?
  2. Have you been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days?
  3. Have you traveled Internationally in the last 14 days?

Best Practices for a Covid-safer Lifestyle for People who are Vaccinated

Please Incorporate best practices for a COVID-19 safer lifestyle and travel, at least for the 14 days before you visit the Institute. If you are not able to follow these COVID-safer guidelines, please choose another time to come.

• Wear a mask at indoor locations outside of your home where you do not know if everyone is vaccinated. Practice physical distancing in these settings.
• Avoid indoor gatherings where COVID-19 has a greater chance of spreading, such as:
  • COVID-19 hotspots where you are not able to maintain COVID-safe practices. Check the hotspot map here: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html 
  • Where people are not, or may not be, vaccinated
  • Where indoor spaces are poorly ventilated. 
• Wear a mask when using public transportation like planes, trains and buses. 
• Avoid large crowded indoor and outdoor gatherings, unless everyone is required to be vaccinated. Wear a mask. Practice physical distancing.
• Avoid close proximity to people who have COVID-19 during the first 14 days after their symptoms start, or they test positive.
• Monitor yourself and people you live with for COVID-19 symptoms, and test if you have symptoms. 

International Travel Guests

If you have traveled internationally (anywhere outside the United States) in the 14 days prior to your visit, you will need to choose another time to join us. Guests who have travelled internationally need to monitor their health for a full 14 days after they return to the U.S. before visiting the Institute. 

General Information for Guests

• The Himalayan Institute community adheres to COVID-19 best practices protocols based on CDC and State and Federal government guidelines, including requiring face masks for all staff and guests. 
• Our campus community is over 90% vaccinated. 
• We will not pair guests in shared rooms. Shared rooms are only for those guests who choose to room together.
• We will maintain at least a 24″ physical distancing space between chairs and mats in classrooms.
• Hand washing/hand sanitizing is required before entering the dining hall buffet line. Wear your mask through the buffet line, and any time you get up from your dining seat.
• Our COVID-19 policies may change as the situation changes and new information becomes available.
• Staff and guests agree to use COVID-19 safety strategies when traveling. Check those out here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html 
• Guests agree to notify our Guest Services desk if they become ill while staying on campus so we can assist you.
• We are prepared to quarantine and/or isolate guests and staff who test positive.
• If you are ill, or have been exposed to COVID-19, stay home.

If You Get Sick While Staying at the Himalayan Institute:

• If you have an emergency, call 911.
• Contact our Guest Services team at the front desk or call 570-253-5551 #1 and let them know. After hours call 973-283-4100 answering service.
• Isolate yourself.
• Contact your healthcare practitioner or local urgent care provider, and follow their guidance.
• Have a plan in place to get home as soon as possible.

COVID-19 Waiver of Liability:

The Himalayan Institute has in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, COVID-19 is contagious, and traveling outside your home and gathering with others has risks. We cannot guarantee that you will not become infected. The waiver agreement found here needs to be understood and signed by our guests before they come to our campus.

In Service,

Greg Capitolo, Mission Programs Director

Brian Fulp, Retreat Center Director

Policies and Procedures

PureRejuv Wellness Center Protocols