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The New Winter Quarter COVID-19 Ongoing Testing Program

In early January new information was released outlining the updated student testing requirement and the availability of testing for faculty and staff. This ongoing testing is one of many steps the university is taking to help ensure the health and well-being of Cal Poly and the broader community.

Below you will learn how to participate in the COVID-19 ongoing testing program in winter quarter.

Note: This testing is for asymptomatic individuals (i.e., no symptoms) only. Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who has been exposed to COVID-19 should not enter the building or come to campus. Campus Health and Wellbeing can only test symptomatic students. Contact your health care provider.

The first group that is involved in this testing program are Cal Poly employees.

Who? – Testing is required for full-time Campus Dining employees. Testing is also offered and strongly encouraged for Cal Poly faculty with face-to-face classes, as well as faculty and staff physically working on campus including full-time ASI and Cal Poly Corporation staff. Employees who are working completely virtually are also invited to participate.

What? -Free COVID-19 testing for those who are currently asymptomatic. To participate employees must first register with Avellino labs and schedule an appointment ahead of time. For more information about registering and scheduling an appointment, please visit this page about employee testing.

Where? – The Performing Arts Center Main Lobby, also known as Building 6. Additionally, on Jan. 7 testing will also be held in the Aliso Conference Room in Poly Canyon Village (171A).
When? - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 3 through Saturday, Jan. 16.

On Jan. 19, the university plans to start transitioning to saliva-based testing that will allow up to 4,000 individuals to be tested a day, including students and employees. More details will be shared soon about the saliva testing program.

Why? – This program was designed for the purpose of rapidly identifying and isolating asymptomatic COVID-19 individuals who may unknowingly spread the illness to others.

The next group involved is Cal Poly’s student population.

Who? – Last quarter, students who lived on campus or were accessing campus for class, work, services, etc., were required to test. The testing requirement has expanded this quarter to include all currently enrolled students who meet any one or more of the criteria below:
A. Lives in university housing
B. Is enrolled in face-to-face courses.
C. Works on campus.
D. Participates in research on campus.
E. Uses any on-campus service (except the Health Center).
F. Lives in the same household or congregate living facility (meaning a group housing facility, such as a dormitory or fraternity/sorority house) with a Cal Poly student who meets any of the criteria listed as A through E above.

What? – An ongoing testing program means that students participating will consistently have to get tested on campus twice a week, with tests spaced three days apart. Additionally, students living on campus or accessing campus for any reason must complete a COVID-19 test three days before returning to San Luis Obispo. For more information about the pre-arrival testing requirement, as well as how to register for this program, please visit this Student Testing site.

Where? - The Performing Arts Center Main Lobby, also known as building 6. Additionally, on Jan. 7 testing will also be held in the Aliso Conference Room in Poly Canyon Village (171A).

When? - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Why? - This program was designed for the purpose of rapidly identifying and isolating asymptomatic COVID-19 individuals who may unknowingly spread the illness to others.

As a community we are excited to welcome this new testing program as it will attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 and improve overall campus health.