COVID-19 Weekly Testing and Daily Health Check Requirements

December 23, 2020

To:  University Community
From:  Michelle Rogers, Vice President for Administration
Subject:  COVID-19 Weekly Testing and Daily Health Check Requirements

For the health and safety of everyone in the University of Redlands community, we are requiring that all students, staff, administrators, and faculty members who come onto a U of R campus (no matter how short the duration or frequency) be tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis and complete a daily health check to confirm they are free from COVID-19 symptoms. These requirements will take effect the week of January 17, 2021, in conjunction with the scheduled return of some College of Arts and Sciences students to residential life (under a decreased density program vetted by the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health).

The testing and daily health check requirements will supplement (not replace) other health and safety protocols, such as use of face coverings; physical distancing; frequent and proper hand washing; the completion of a training video; and immediate reporting of symptoms, exposure, and positive tests to the University via its reporting form.

Here are some questions and answers about the new policy.

How will the requirement for weekly testing help increase the University community’s safety?

Because people with COVID-19 don’t always show symptoms yet are contagious before symptoms appear, regular testing for COVID-19 helps identify those who are COVID-19-positive so they can self-isolate as soon as possible and avoid spreading the virus to others. Systematic testing is one of many COVID safety protocols to help track infections and thus contain the virus in any community, through tracing, quarantine, and isolation.

How will the daily health check help increase the community’s safety?

The daily health check will help flag potential symptoms of COVID-19—such as fever, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, headache, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea/vomiting, or diarrhea—so the individual can stay away from others, report symptoms to the University, and seek COVID testing as soon as possible.

Can I use the testing site on the Redlands campus for the required weekly testing?

Yes. A key reason for the University’s decision to partner with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health was to offer a convenient testing site to members of the U of R community. The testing center, which is operated by the County at no cost to participants, is located in University Hall, the third building east of the Memorial Chapel; please use the south entrance for testing, as the signage indicates. You can schedule an appointment via the County website at https://sbcovid19.com; the site also accepts walk-ins.

Do I have to use the testing site on the U of R campus?

No. You are free to seek testing wherever is most convenient, whether it is with a chosen health provider, through an approved self-test, or at another county testing site. Visit www.redlands.edu/urready for help identifying testing locations (including in Marin County). For a list of all County and State testing sites, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/get-tested.

Will the County or other test providers share my health information with the University?

No. Federal law—the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)—protects sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge. Therefore, any testing site is prohibited from sending results or any other information to the University. Employees must themselves notify the University if they test positive for COVID via our reporting form, so we can respond appropriately and provide needed support.

Will employees be paid for the time it takes to get tested every week?

Yes. Since testing is a requirement of employment, testing will be included as paid time in employees’ work schedules. Please reach out to your supervisor with any questions about time away from regular duties for testing.

How do I let the University know that I have been tested or that I’ve completed the daily health check?

You’ll use the University of Redlands app to report your weekly testing and complete the required daily health self-assessment. There will be a new “UR Ready” section dedicated to COVID-related information available within the app. The UR Ready section will be launched in early January, and we will communicate about its features in a separate announcement.

I don’t have the Redlands app. How do I get it?

To get the Redlands app, search for “University of Redlands” in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. For those who don’t have smart phones or who prefer desktop, the interactive app is also available to view on browsers at https://redlandsedu-prod.modolabs.net/redlands_default. For technical assistance, please email techsupport@redlands.edu or call 909-748-HELP (4357).

Are College of Arts and Sciences students required to test weekly?

Yes. All College of Arts and Sciences students who plan to reside on campus, visit campus for any activity, or take classes on the Redlands campus during spring semester 2021 are required to test weekly, after an initial five-day quarantine period and subsequent negative COVID-19 test. Direct questions to student_affairs@redlands.edu.

Do some members of the community need to be tested more frequently than once a week on a regular basis?

Yes. Student athletes and Athletics faculty and staff may require more frequent testing on a regular basis; the Athletics Department, 909-748-8400 or Bulldog_Athletics@redlands.edu, will provide details about specific requirements. Of course, if you are showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19, have had a recent known or suspected exposure to a person with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, or have been asked or referred to get testing by a healthcare provider or health department, you need to seek additional testing as soon as possible and not wait for the weekly requirement.

If I do not come onto any U of R campus and my work or studies are 100% virtual, do I need to test weekly? What if I’ve already had test-proven COVID or I have evidence of positive antibodies?

You are exempt from the weekly testing requirement, if you:

  • Have already had a confirmed case of COVID-19,
  • Have evidence of antibodies against the virus,
  • Have received the full two-course dose of a COVID vaccine under emergency use authorization,
  • Never set foot on a U of R campus and, if residing nearby, never meet in groups of students or employees outside of your household

When is this policy requiring weekly testing going into effect?

The policy is going into effect the week of January 17, 2021, meaning that everyone who works, studies, resides on, or visits a U of R campus must be tested by January 24, 2021, and weekly thereafter. We count on every member of our community to fulfill this requirement for the safety of others. Those who fail to comply will lose access to key U of R facilities. 

How long is this weekly testing requirement going to be in effect?

The weekly testing requirement is ongoing until the University deems that pandemic conditions no longer require it.

Thank you for everything each one of you does to keep our community safe. We recognize that complying with these requirements takes effort, and we appreciate that you go the extra mile to protect the health of others.

For more information, read a copy of the COVID-19 testing protocol or visit the University’s COVID response page at www.redlands.edu/urready. Questions can be directed to covidresponse@redlands.edu.