Dear Danforth Campus Students,
I hope this finds you well and enjoying the remainder of your winter break. We can’t wait to start the new semester in a couple weeks and welcome you back to campus at the end of this month!
In last week’s message with updates to our plans for the start of the spring semester, we said we would get back to you this week with more information about COVID-19 pre-arrival and entry testing. Please pay close attention to the following instructions.
- We will be mailing to you a kit with two identical On/Go Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Tests. The tests are expected to arrive sometime between January 17 and 21. (See the Spring Testing FAQ for information about what to do if you don’t receive a test.)
- Follow the instructions for downloading the On/Go mobile app, which you will use to take your test, verify your results and report them to the university. We will provide additional instructions for using the app if needed.
- Complete the two tests as follows:
- Pre-arrival: It is our expectation that you will complete one of the tests no more than 48 hours before you leave to return to St. Louis (for those who have left the region during the break). Students who have remained on campus or in St. Louis during the break should complete this first test between January 28 and 30.
- Entry: Bring the other test with you and complete as soon as you get to campus, and no later than Friday, February 4. This test is REQUIRED for all students. If you do not take the test and report the results through the On/Go mobile app by Friday, February 4, you will be administratively withdrawn from your courses. You will not be allowed to enroll for the duration of the spring 2022 semester.
- If you test positive:
- Pre-arrival: Remain at home, seek any medical treatment from your local provider and isolate according to local requirements where you are. Habif Health and Wellness Center will be notified of your result through the On/Go mobile app and will contact you with further instructions.
- Entry: Do not come to campus or leave your on-campus residence. Contact Habif at habifpublichealth@wustl.edu for guidance. If you are ill, please call 314-935-2252. If you get voicemail, leave a message with your contact number and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
We’re providing these tests and requiring entry testing in order to protect the health and safety of our community, and to try to prevent a large influx of positive cases at the start of the semester that could overwhelm our health care providers and our quarantine/isolation capacity, leading to significant disruption to our classroom instruction and other campus activities. We want to be able to hold classes in person and have our students be together as much as possible this spring, and this testing will help us to do that. We appreciate your support and participation.
We know there will be lots of questions. We’ve compiled a Spring Testing FAQ, which we will keep updated with the latest information. Please check the FAQ to see if your question has been answered there. If not, you can email covidquestions@wustl.edu.
We hope you enjoy the rest of your break and look forward to seeing you soon!
Be well and stay safe,
Anna “Dr. G” Gonzalez
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs