August 17, 2020
To all students enrolled in residence who are living off campus,
As a student enrolled in residence but living off campus this semester, you may already be here in New Haven or will be soon. If you are traveling to New Haven from outside the state, it is critical that you follow Connecticut’s travel guidelines. You will find more information about them below.
I am writing to give you information about viral testing, and in particular ask you to schedule your initial viral testing by 5:00 p.m. eastern time, tomorrow, August 18. Here is what you need to do.
Take your pre-arrival test
By now, you should have taken your pre-arrival test from Quest Diagnostics. If you received a positive result, do not travel to New Haven (or anywhere) until you receive further instructions. If you have questions about your pre-arrival test, please call Quest at 855-332-2533.
Understand the on-campus testing schedule
Initial testing runs from August 20 until August 31; after then, term-time testing begins. Initial tests and term-time tests follow different schedules, but for now please concentrate on your initial testing; you will receive more information about term-time testing in the coming days. The number of initial tests you will need to take depends on when you will be arriving. It will be one, two, or three, according to the table that follows, below.
Set up MyChart
If you have not already registered for a MyChart account, you will need to do so now using the activation code you received from Yale Health earlier this month; MyChart is the patient portal for Yale’s electronic health records. I recommend that you also download the mobile app, available here for iOS and here for Android. While you will not make your appointment directly through MyChart, you need this account to proceed to the next step.
Schedule your initial testing
Once you have a MyChart account, go to covidtesting.yale.edu to schedule a testing appointment as soon as you arrive in New Haven. You will be assigned to the test site that is associated with your residential college. If you are already in the New Haven area, please schedule your initial viral test for August 20 or 21 if possible. There is no need to travel to New Haven early to get a test, but please schedule yours the day you arrive, or the following morning if you will be arriving after 6:45 p.m.
Once you schedule your initial test, schedule your remaining initial tests as follows:
|
INITIAL TEST |
SUBSEQUENT TESTS |
||
|
Thursday |
Monday |
Thursday |
[Term-time testing begins Aug 31] |
|
Friday |
Tuesday |
Friday |
[Term-time testing begins Aug 31] |
|
NO TESTING AUGUST 22 OR 23 |
|||
|
Monday |
Thursday |
[Term-time testing begins Aug 31] |
|
|
Tuesday |
Friday |
[Term-time testing begins Aug 31] |
|
|
Wednesday |
Saturday |
[Term-time testing begins Aug 31] |
|
|
Thursday |
[Term-time testing begins Aug 31] |
||
|
Friday |
[Term-time testing begins Aug 31] |
||
|
Saturday |
[Term-time testing begins Aug 31] |
||
|
NO TESTING AUGUST 30 |
|||
|
If you need to reschedule your test, first cancel your existing appointment through MyChart, then follow this same link to schedule a new test. For more information about the testing process and requirements, including tips for a successful test, please visit the COVID-19 Screening Program for Undergraduates webpage. Once the semester begins, on August 31, all students will shift to an assigned twice-weekly term-time testing schedule. You will receive your assignment and instructions for making those term-time appointments next week. QuarantineAfter you take your test, plan to quarantine in your off-campus residence for the 24 to 36 hours it takes to receive your result, regardless of where you are traveling from or if you have already been in the New Haven area. If you are from a restricted state, as determined by the State of Connecticut, you will need to continue to quarantine in your off-campus residence for 14 days, even if you test negative, leaving home only for your subsequent viral tests and any other medical appointments. You will also need to complete this form. If you are traveling from outside the country and have satisfied the CDC’s guidelines, you do not need to quarantine after you receive a negative test result, but you should nevertheless follow all public health guidelines such as wearing a face covering and maintaining social distancing. You can find quarantine information on the State of Connecticut's travel site, which has a FAQ page about the quarantine requirements for the general public; these are different from the state’s requirements for students living on campus, who will be quarantining for 14 days in their campus housing and will not be interacting with off campus students until their quarantine period ends. As a reminder, please remember to avoid contact with students on campus when you come to your testing site. Get ready to join usDespite the challenges we will all be managing together, this is an exciting time because you and your classmates will be creating and reimagining new communities, supporting the public health, and making creative, inclusive connections. You will be supported along the way by the staff, the heads, and the deans. I am so pleased to join with them in welcoming you to campus and working with you in the semester ahead. With best wishes, Melanie Boyd |