All students who will be continuing medical sciences for the May 2021 term. 

If you have an extenuating circumstance related to COVID-19 that prevents you from safely being in Barbados, we may consider you for an exemption for the May 2021 term. Please read our eligibility requirements and submit an Extenuating Circumstances Form by 4:00 pm EDT/AST Friday, April 2, 2021. Forms submitted after that deadline may not be considered.  

RUSM is ready to welcome students back during these approved arrival periods:

1. Thursday, April 29 – Saturday, May 1 
2. Tuesday, May 4 – Saturday, May 8 (recommended arrival period) 
3. Saturday, May 22 
4. Monday, May 24 
5. Saturday, May 29 

Once you book a flight, upload your travel itinerary and information here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/March2May.   

These approved arrival periods were carefully selected based on commercial flight availability, academic schedules, and our thorough Coverley Village quarantine process. As each wave of students completes their quarantine, we will conduct deep cleaning and sanitization of homes so the next wave of students can arrive and begin their quarantine. 

You do not have to arrive on these specific dates; however, if you arrive outside of these approved windows you will not be able to quarantine with us at Coverley (see below). 

You must be on the island by no later than May 31, 2021. Only those students who received approval from Student Affairs to arrive late will be accepted. If you arrive after May 31 without approval, you will be considered an unexcused absence per our Handbook policy and may be subject to an administrative withdrawal.  

RUSM will not hold mandatory in-person events during the first weeks of the semester to accommodate students who are still in transit or in quarantine.  

Many of our campus facilities and services are currently open and the following will be available for the May term provided it is safe and in alignment with local government protocols: 

• Study spaces at LESC and Coverley (Admin Building 1 and Town Square) 
• Clinical Skills Labs 
• Anatomy Labs and Medical Sciences Labs 
• Classroom spaces for live academic sessions and exams 
• ATL multipurpose rooms for faculty office hours and mentor/mentee meetings 
• IT and Student Services 
• Cafeteria and Coffee Bean 
• Shuttle services to and from campus 

We have redesigned our campus spaces in accordance with CDC-recommended safety protocols. Common areas have been outfitted with physical barriers and hand-sanitizing stations, and signage is posted throughout campus to promote social and physical distancing. We are regularly cleaning and disinfecting all campus facilities and require the use of facemasks and a daily health assessment (via the RUSM Safe App) prior to entry. Beginning with the May term, we will also institute random COVID-19 testing as a part of a new surveillance testing program. 

The RUSM Safe App is available for download on Google Play and the Apple App Store.  

Yes, Club Fitness at the Villages of Coverley is currently open and operating with enhanced cleaning and sanitizing procedures. Patrons must wear masks upon entering the gym and when traveling between the entrance and locker room. Temperatures will also be taken before entering and group class sizes have been reduced to comply with social distancing guidelines. 

Gym Hours:

• Monday - Friday: 6:00 am - 7:00 pm
• Saturday: 6:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Sunday: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Yes, many businesses in the Coverley Town Square have reopened, including the grocery store, health clinic, and restaurants. Safety protocols including hand-sanitation stands, safety barriers, and signage have been installed. 

Yes. Though you have already completed your first semester remotely, we still would like to properly introduce you to the island and all its amenities, so you immediately feel welcome. Students who join us in Barbados for the May 2021 term will have specific orientation activities to help you get acquainted with the island and campus. Some of these activities will be completed online, while you quarantine, while others will be in-person events after you have been cleared. 

Shuttle schedules are published an updated daily on the RUSM Safe app. Our shuttles conveniently operate from Coverley housing to our main academic campus, known as “LESC.” For the May 2021 semester, shuttles will operate daily from 7:00 am to midnight beginning May 7, 2021.  

Please refer to the official supply list provided by the Admissions department. Bed linens can be purchased on the RUSM Housing Portal and students can purchase home goods at stores on island. 

Coverley housing units come with all basic furnishings, including a full bed, nightstand, desk and chair, wardrobe/closet, desk lamp, hangers (18), window blinds, a dry erase board, couch, coffee table, kitchen table and chairs, and a fire extinguisher. Bathrooms are furnished with a shower curtain, shower rod, mop, plunger, and trash can. The kitchen of each home unit is outfitted with a stove, refrigerator, kettle, microwave, washer/dryer, plates, glasses, coffee cups, silverware, basic cooking utensils, pots and pans, mixing bowls, and trash cans. 

For larger items or larger quantities of items, it may be more cost effective to ship a container or barrel. Students have used companies like Tropical Shipping and King Ocean Services in the past, which ship out from Miami.   

For smaller shipments, Aeropost and Ezone are popular services. These eCommerce companies allow you to purchase and ship from multiple retailers to Barbados. They handle shipping from the US, clearance through customs, and local delivery. FedEx International is also an option for shipments to and from Barbados.  

Students living in Coverley Village should address their items using the following example: 

• Name: John Doe 

• Address Details: house number, village, Coverley Villages, Christ Church, Barbados, BB17091 

Example: 

#6 Gooseberry 

Coverley Villages 

Christ Church, Barbados BB17091 

• Contact details: 1 (Area code) 123 4567, myname@domain.com 

After you submit your online Immigration and Customs forms, you will receive an email back from the Immigration office that contains two receipts; one you will show to the immigration officer, and one you will show to the customs agent at the airport. 

We suggest checking with your credit card company about foreign transaction fees as well as your bank about foreign ATM fees. With that information, you may choose to open a local account in Barbados or continue to use your current bank. There is a bank in Coverley and across the street from the main academic campus. Although some vendors only accept cash, most will accept a major credit card. 

RUSM is ready to welcome students back during these approved arrival periods: 

• Thursday, April 29 – Saturday, May 1 (arrival window for new, incoming first semesters) 
• Tuesday, May 4 – Saturday, May 8 (recommended arrival period) 
• Saturday, May 22 
• Monday, May 24 
• Saturday, May 29 

Once you book a flight, upload your travel itinerary and information here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/March2May.   

These approved arrival periods were carefully selected based on commercial flight availability, academic schedules, and our thorough Coverley quarantine process. As each wave of students completes their quarantine, we will conduct deep cleaning and sanitization of homes so the next wave of students can arrive and begin their quarantine. 

You do not have to arrive on these specific dates; however, anyone who arrives outside of these approved windows will not be able to quarantine with us at Coverley (see below). 

Students who arrive in the first two waves will have added flexibility with their housing assignments and will be able to settle in more quickly for the semester. 

We strongly advise you to book travel that aligns with our approved arrival dates (see above). You are welcome to travel outside of these dates but will not be able to quarantine with us at Coverley. Instead, you will need to quarantine at a government-approved quarantine hotel at your own expense. A list of approved hotels is available here: https://www.visitbarbados.org/covid-19-travel-guidelines-2020.  

Our approved dates were carefully selected to manage a safe quarantine process for students.  

Email housing@rossu.edu as soon as possible so we can work on an adjusted travel and quarantine plan.

American Airlines, JetBlue, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Copa Airlines are currently operating flights from the United States to Bridgetown. Direct flights are operating from Miami, Boston, Charlotte, and New York City, Newark, and San Juan. Air Canada has announced it will resume non-stop flights from Toronto to Barbados starting May 5, 2021. 

Yes, Barbados requires a roundtrip ticket for all visitors. If you do not have your Barbados student visa stamp in your passport, your length of stay is dependent on your passport country. You can review the length of stay and entry visa requirements here. Students planning to leave during the semester break should consider a return ticket after the last day of the term, August 20, 2021.  

If you do have your Barbados student visa, be prepared to show it when checking in for your flight and again upon arrival to Barbados. Likewise, international students who have a Barbados entry visa should be prepared to display it before departure and upon arrival. Email immigration@rossu.edu for any questions about this requirement. 

Yes, you need to get a nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal PCR test three (3) days prior to your arrival. Before leaving for Barbados, you will upload your negative result to the Barbados travel website or via the BIMSafe App. If you take a test and your result is positive, self-isolate and do not proceed with your travel. Email StudentAffairs@rossu.edu and we will work with you on a new plan. 

Many health centers, urgent care clinics, and pharmacies offer free COVID-19 tests. You can call or visit the website for your state health department or check out this list of community-based testing sites compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. When selecting a testing site, make sure they offer the COVID-19 PCR test by nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal sample.  

Students in the United States or Canada who prefer a stay-at-home option can order a test kit from StageZero Life Sciences for a fee. StageZero will then coordinate for a mobile phlebotomist to take a nasal sample at your house. For more information, visit https://www.stagezerolifesciences.com/barbados.html.  

All students are encouraged to download the Barbados government’s BIMSafe App to manage and complete all required travel documents. Prior to arrival, you will need to upload the following: 

• Travel / Immigration and Customs Form (must be submitted at least 24 hours before travel) 
• Image of their negative PCR test result (either to www.travelform.gov.bb or to the BIMSafe App). This image or documentation should indicate the date of your test, test results, and type of test.  

We strongly advise you to become familiar with the Barbados Travel Guidelines and to regularly check for new guidance as your travel date approaches.  

Yes, the same protocols are required for all travelers entering Barbados, including those who are vaccinated. If you received the COVID-19 vaccine, we recommend traveling with your documentation.  

RUSM will have shuttles available to transfer you from the airport to your quarantine home at the Villages of Coverley. You will quarantine at your assigned housing while waiting for the results of your second COVID-19 test, which will be administered to you at your home five (5) days after your arrival. If you test negative, you will be released from quarantine and move into your permanent residence. If you test positive, you will be transported to a government-approved facility where you will receive medical supervision until you test negative. 

Yes, but be aware that you may not be able to quarantine with us in Coverley. Quarantine homes are reserved for students who were not in Barbados for the January 2021 term. If we meet our capacity limit, you may need to quarantine at a government-approved facility at your own expense. You will not be able to quarantine at your current/permanent home. 

Yes, but please be aware of several travel and quarantine logistics. First, you will need to complete the required Pet Import Form for Barbados. Pets are also not allowed to quarantine at RUSM's quarantine houses in Coverley. If quarantining with RUSM, you will be required to board your pet until your quarantine is complete. Alternatively, some approved quarantine hotels accept animals. Please review the resources on the Visit Barbados website to identify approved quarantine hotels and confirm you are able to quarantine with your pet before booking a reservation.  

Your passport will have a student visa stamp in it. Stamps have only been issued to students who were previously on island; the Barbados Immigration office has not issued new stamps since May 2020. Our immigration team (immigration@rossu.edu) can help answer any additional questions.  

You will get a student visa stamp in your passport after you arrive to Barbados and likely before the end of the semester. Once you receive your stamp, you will be allowed to extend your stay on island. For questions, please contact immigration@rossu.edu. 

No. Students with a Complio account can check online to confirm that all of their documents were successfully submitted and there are no outstanding items. For questions, contact immigration@rossu.edu. 

On April 20, 2021, the US State Department revised its travel advisory rubric to more closely align with the CDC’s travel guidelines. With this change, approximately 80% of countries worldwide were given a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” designation, including Barbados. The new advisory level is not a reassessment of the health situation in Barbados, which has seen a steady decrease in COVID-19 infections and deaths; rather it is part of ongoing recommendations by the State Department and the CDC to US citizens to avoid activities that could increase risk of exposure to COVID-19. Barbados has rigorous testing and entry requirements that are designed to minimize the possibility of local transmission and spread. 

Yes, but you need to alert Student Affairs (StudentAffairs@rossu.edu) and Housing (housing@rossu.edu) as soon as possible and at least 4 days in advance of your changed arrival date. We need that time to prepare your home and coordinate shuttle service from the airport to Coverley.  

Our welcome team will be stationed just outside of the airport exit and will be wearing RUSM shirts and sitting at an RUSM-branded desk with signage. You can’t miss us!

Yes, RUSM will follow the government’s quarantine guidelines for fully vaccinated travelers which go into effect on May 8, 2021. Students who meet the eligibility requirements and receive a negative rapid PCR test from the Grantley Adams International Airport can complete their shortened quarantine period at Coverley. If you receive your rapid test result prior to leaving the airport and RUSM can verify those results, you will be allowed to move directly into your permanent housing assignment.  

No, the new entry protocols for fully vaccinated travelers go into effect on May 8, 2021. Vaccinated students who arrive before May 8, 2021 must adhere to the current protocols, which require you to quarantine while waiting for the results of a second PCR test administered five (5) days after arrival. 

Yes, if you receive a negative rapid test result prior to leaving the airport and RUSM can verify those results, you will be allowed to move directly into your permanent housing assignment. 

Yes, students and long-term companions who quarantine at Coverley for one night or who are cleared to move directly into permanent housing will be refunding the full $200 quarantine fee. This charge is automatically applied to student accounts so the refund will occur retroactively.

Students and long-term companions who quarantine at Coverley for two (2) nights or longer will be charged the standard $200 per occupant fee. This includes fully vaccinated travelers who are waiting for their rapid PCR test results.

Yes. We do not have the capacity to quarantine all students simultaneously. These approved arrival dates allow us to quarantine students in phases so that can deep clean and turn over quarantine homes in between arrival groups. 

You should anticipate somewhere between 7 and 10 days, depending on how quickly your second PCR test results come back. 

You can move into your permanently assigned house and room once you have been cleared from quarantine and RUSM Housing has checked you into your permanent room assignment.

Yes, a charge of $200 will be applied to your student account. This is a highly subsidized fee that covers a portion of your utilities, transportation to/from airports, security, and your second COVID-19 PCR test, which is currently required by the Barbados government. Students who elect to quarantine at a government-approved hotel are likely to incur much high costs. 

Long-term companions who request to quarantine at Coverley will also be charged $200.  

Yes. To reserve space at one of our quarantine homes, fill out an application via the RUSM Housing Portal, which will open on Tuesday, April 6 at 12:00 pm ET. You will receive a quarantine housing assignment with further instructions later in April.  

Each home will have two (2) people, each with their own assigned bedroom and bathroom. You will quarantine with someone who arrived to Barbados on the same day as you. Families of three or more can request to quarantine together.   

Yes, but only if you and your classmate arrive to Barbados on the same day. You can make this request on your housing application once the RUSM Housing Portal opens on Tuesday, April 6 at 12:00 pm ET. We will make every effort to match you with your roommate but cannot make guarantees at this time.  

Companions and/or family members who will be living with you in Barbados are welcome to quarantine at Coverley. Companions, like students, will be charged $200 to use our quarantine homes. Alternatively, you and your companion can choose to quarantine at a government-approved quarantine accommodation at your own expense.  

Remember, non-students moving to Barbados with you will need to submit separate immigration documents to extend their visitor status after your student visa has been issued. If you have questions about this process, email immigration@rossu.edu.  

RUSM will provide a welcome package to assist with the first 24-hours. Students may also utilize approved delivery services to order meals from a variety of restaurants. All payments for delivery services must be done online and students must not attempt to interact or tip delivery agents in-person while in quarantine. Deliveries will be dropped off on the front porch and you should wait for the delivery person to leave before retrieving your items.  

To help students have a comfortable quarantine, we are providing welcome packs with essential items and goodies, including toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, pasta and sauce, tuna, oatmeal, instant coffee with creamer and sugar, and dish soap. Students will also be able to order food from a list of approved grocery and restaurant delivery services (see page 7 of the RUSM Summer Welcome Guide) 

Quarantine tickets for students arriving on April 29 and 30 were issued on Wednesday, April 28. All other quarantine tickets for later arrivals were issued on Thursday, April 29. If you did not receive your quarantine ticket but have a confirmed quarantine housing assignment, email housing@rossu.edu for another copy of your ticket. 

No, students (except new first semester students) are free to arrange their own housing accommodations for their time on island.  

Quarantine home refers to the unit and room you will be assigned at Coverley for the quarantine period. After you have been cleared from quarantine, you will move out of the quarantine zone into your permanent home for the rest of the term. 

The RUSM Housing Portal opens on Tuesday, April 6 at 12:00 pm ET. Students who complete their application between April 6-11 will receive their housing assignment on our target release date of April 16.  

We are aiming to release housing assignments (both quarantine homes and permanent homes) on Friday, April 16, 2021.  

Once the RUSM Housing Portal opens on Tuesday, April 6 at 12:00 pm ET, you will be able to apply for both a quarantine home and permanent semester housing. The application includes a series of lifestyle questions that we will use to match housemates into permanent units. You can also request a roommate(s) in either your quarantine or permanent home. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences. 

We will do our best to accommodate roommate requests, however not all requests can be granted due to quarantine logistics and housing availability.  

The housing department will contact you via email with your room assignment and roommate details once you have completed your housing application and before your arrival to Barbados. Please remember — we will do our best to accommodate roommate requests, however not all requests can be granted due to quarantine logistics and housing availability.

Probably not but this will be dependent on your arrival and quarantine period. Once the majority of our students have quarantined and moved into permanent housing, our quarantine homes will transition to become permanent homes. Most students will not live in their quarantine home but there is a chance that a student who arrives during a later travel period will end up quarantining and permanently living in the same housing unit.  

Homes are likely to be filled to capacity. Students must receive a negative result on two separate COVID-19 PCR tests (pre-arrival and 5 days after arrival) before receiving approval to move into their permanent home. 

You can start moving into your permanent Coverley home once your required quarantine is complete and you receive notification from the Office of Student Housing. For students who arrive to Barbados early, permanent home check-in will be available on Sunday, May 2 and Monday, May 3 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. If you would like to move in after May 3, please contact Housing@rossu.edu at least 24 hours in advance to schedule your check-in. Regular check-in hours are 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. 

You can move into your permanently assigned house and room once you have been cleared from quarantine and RUSM Housing has checked you into your permanent room assignment. You must complete the RUSM Housing application under the Housing Resources tab on the myRoss portal prior to arrival in Barbados. Our housing department will contact you via email with your room assignment and roommate details before your arrival. Please remember — we will do our best to accommodate roommate requests, however not all requests can be granted due to quarantine logistics and housing availability. 

For those who have opted to move into the Village of Coverley, we will make every attempt to keep you in the same home throughout your time on the island. We are uncertain what the quarantine requirements will be in future semesters, but are creating housing assignments for this semester that will give us the best chance of avoiding displacement during future arrivals. 

RUSM's housing department released quarantine housing assignments via email on Monday, April 26. If you applied for a quarantine home on the housing portal and have not received an assignment, please contact housing@rossu.edu for an update. As a reminder, students must complete RUSM’s Travel Form and upload their flight itinerary in order to receive their assignment. 

RUSM’s housing department began issuing post-quarantine housing assignments via email on Wednesday, April 28. The department will continue to email permanent housing assignments on a rolling basis as portal applications are received. Students who meet our deadlines and complete all requirements will receive both their quarantine and permanent housing assignments via email ahead of arrival. 

RUSM’s Return-to-Campus Team has implemented numerous protocols as part of our comprehensive safety plan, including: 

• Symptom screenings with temperature checks upon campus entry 
• Hand-sanitizer stations 
• Reduced capacity of common spaces 
• Mandatory face masks 
• Redirecting pedestrian traffic to utilize one-way routes 
• Physical barriers in student service areas 

Beginning with the May term, we will start a COVID-19 surveillance testing program to help monitor community prevalence.  

Our campus spaces adhere to international health agency safety protocols. Common areas have been outfitted with physical barriers and hand-sanitizing stations, and signage is posted throughout campus to promote social and physical distancing. We have established comprehensive cleaning protocols, including a wipe-down of all touch points (e.g., handrails, elevator buttons, door handles, and push plates) every 30 minutes and sanitization of all other surfaces every four hours. The entire campus is deep cleaned on a nightly basis.

Positive COVID-19 patients will be referred to a government healthcare facility. Please review the Barbados Travel Guidelines for more information. 

Capacity for the shuttles has been reduced to ensure social distancing. We are partnering with bus companies to ensure they are following CDC guidelines for proper cleaning of the shuttles. 

Students who were previously approved to waive Aetna insurance and will now be living in Barbados, will again have the opportunity to apply for a waiver. All students who will be living in Barbados will be required to have international coverage to be considered for an Aetna insurance waiver. Students will receive information on the opt-out process from the Student Accounts office. You can also email Bursar@Rossu.edu if you have any questions or if you do not receive information from the Student Accounts office.

Yes, you will be required to show your COVID-19 self-assessment at our campus entry points every time you visit campus. The QR code is valid for the entire day. However, should you develop symptoms after completing the assessment, please notify the campus safety and security team and leave the campus immediately. 

Medical care and/or medical emergencies for students in quarantine homes will be managed by the Coverley Medical Center. Positive COVID-19 patients will be referred to a government healthcare facility. 

Please review the Barbados Travel Guidelines for more information.