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Spring 2022 COVID-19 Info: Return-to-campus testing for students and employees

Andrew Bruso

This is just one of our COVID-19 policies for the spring 2022 semester.

To view a comprehensive summary of our policies, please visit this link.

 

Per SUNY guidance for the spring 2022 semester, all SUNY New Paltz students, faculty and staff must get two COVID-19 tests for returning to campus: One between Jan. 12 – 22, before the first day of classes, and one during their first week physically present on campus.

The first test can be conducted on- or off-campus. Use this link to check availability and schedule an appointment for on-campus PCR testing.

Those who test at the campus-run testing site at Awosting Hall and swipe their campus ID cards will have their test results automatically synced to their COVID-19 Profiles.

You can also make an appointment for a test at the New York State-run site at the College Terrace. More information about that testing site is available here.

If you get tested at the state-run site, an off-campus testing facility or with an at-home antigen test, you must upload your results to the COVID-19 Profile at my.newpaltz.edu to satisfy the requirement. See more details below about that process.

Students will need to complete this pre-return test to have their ID card access to campus buildings turned on before the first day of classes. This is necessary for gaining entry to residence halls and other campus buildings.

The new SUNY guidance also requires students, faculty and staff to test after they return to campus. The College will offer expanded on-campus testing during the week of Jan. 24 – 28, with appointments at Awosting Hall available from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day that week.

We will return to our regular schedule (9 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily) the week of Jan. 31.

 

Pre-return COVID-19 test for spring 2022: Complete ONE of the following actions

1) Get a PCR Test between Jan. 12 – 19, 2022: You can choose to get a test on campus (available Jan. 12, 18 & 19 through Enzo Labs by appointment only) or off campus. Off-campus test results must be uploaded to your COVID-19 profile at my.newpaltz.edu.

2) Get an Antigen Test between Jan. 20 – 22, 2022: The College will accept results from “rapid” antigen tests, which can be self-administered at home. Test results must be uploaded o your COVID-19 profile at my.newpaltz.edu by Jan. 23 and should include a photo of the test result that includes your name and the date and time of the test taken. At home tests are available to purchase from most drug stores and online stores such as Amazon. There are many types available; here is one example. Please note that at this time at-home tests are not typically covered by health insurance. Most health insurance does cover antigen (and PCR) tests given by a healthcare professional. Antigen tests will be accepted for this spring 2022 return-to-campus requirement only; they are not an acceptable alternative for ongoing PCR surveillance testing throughout the semester.

3) Show Proof of a Positive COVID-19 Diagnosis on or after Oct. 25, 2021: Members of our community who have tested positive and recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days before the start of the spring semester will not need to participate in return-to-campus testing. We still encourage them to get a booster shot as soon as eligible – unless otherwise advised by your doctor, there is generally no medical reason to delay vaccination after recovering from COVID-19. And, if you recently had COVID, it’s really important that you tell us, to avoid an unnecessary positive test or isolation after you’ve already recovered.

Please note that we will accept PCR or antigen tests ONLY for the pre-return testing requirement. PCR tests (not antigen) will be required for the post-arrival test requirement and ongoing surveillance testing.