Important Update: Spring 2021 Pre-Arrival Testing and Quarantine Requirements (Students from all states non-contiguous to New York State and international locations)

Dear Students and Families:

We are writing as a follow-up to yesterday’s return to campus message, to provide detailed guidance concerning the pre-arrival testing requirements and quarantine procedures.

Important: The New York State Department of Health policy regarding travel, testing and quarantine varies significantly based on the state in which you live. You are receiving this email because you will be traveling to campus from a domestic or international location that is subject to unique travel, testing and quarantine requirements, mandated by state or federal public health authorities. Specifically:

1. New York State law requires that anyone traveling to New York from any U.S. state other than New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania or Vermont is subject to pre-travel testing and a mandatory quarantine period upon arrival.
2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that effective Jan. 26, 2021, the federal government will require pre-arrival testing for any individual traveling to the United States from an international location. This means anyone flying to the United States from an international destination must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test as a condition of entry.

It’s important to note: Syracuse University has no authority to grant exceptions to the above testing and quarantine requirements. With that in mind, the below message provides specific and comprehensive details to support your return to campus, including:

• Pre-Arrival Testing Requirement
  • When to Get Tested
  • How to Get Tested
• Uploading Your Test Result
• Quarantine Guidelines
  • For On-Campus Students
  • For Off-Campus Students
• Students Who Have Previously Tested Positive for COVID-19
• Financial Assistance
• Where to Direct Questions

Pre-Arrival Testing Requirement

All Syracuse University students returning to campus for the spring semester must participate in a pre-arrival testing program. Specifically, a negative pre-arrival test is required to move into campus housing. For students living off-campus, a negative pre-arrival test is required to access campus classrooms and facilities.

When to Get Tested

• According to the New York State Department of Health, you must receive a COVID-19 test within a three-day window, prior to your arrival in New York State.
• This test will satisfy your University-required pre-arrival testing; you will not need to submit another test when you arrive on campus.

How to Get Tested

Because New York State requires you test within a three-day window prior to your arrival, you will not be able to use a mail-in test this semester. Instead, you must seek out testing in your local community. To secure your COVID-19 test, we encourage you to:

• Plan ahead. Check with the local testing center about the average turnaround time to receive a result once you are tested. Choose a center that indicates that they typically return results with 24 to 72 hours.
• Get tested first thing in the morning, exactly three days prior to traveling to New York. This way you can maximize the likelihood of receiving your negative test result prior to arrival.
• To find community-based testing sites, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website. You can also check your local or state health department’s website for additional testing information.
• As costs may vary, we also advise you to contact your health insurance provider if you have questions about coverage for COVID testing.
• When traveling to New York State, carry documentation that you have been tested within the three-day window, and of your negative test result.

Uploading Your Test Result

• As soon as you receive your COVID-19 test result, upload it to the Student Patient Portal. This must be done prior to returning to campus.
• Detailed instructions as to how to submit your test result are as follows:
  • Log in to the Student Patient Portal using your SU NetID and password
  • Click “COVID-19” on the top menu
  • Enter the date and result of your COVID-19 test and click “Submit”
  • Your “Documentation Status” will be updated to “Needs Documentation”
  • Click “Select File” and upload a copy of your COVID-19 test results
  • Please ensure your name, date of test and result is clearly visible on your uploaded document
  • Upon uploading your documentation, your status will be updated to “Under Review” until reviewed by the Barnes Center
  • If “Under Review” status of your test result has not been updated within 48 hours, please check the Patient Portal for a secure message

Quarantine Guidelines

For On-Campus Students

As you prepare to return to campus, you will need to plan accordingly to comply with the mandatory quarantine period required by New York State.

• The duration of the quarantine period is four days. Individuals can conclude their quarantine on day number four upon receiving a negative COVID test.
• On-campus students can complete the mandatory quarantine in their current residence hall room or apartment.
• Students subject to the quarantine requirement must move into their on-campus housing on Jan. 30 and Jan. 31.

What this means for you:

• After you arrive to campus for your scheduled move-in day (Jan. 30 or 31) and complete all check-in procedures, you will begin quarantine in your on-campus housing.
• On Feb. 3, all quarantined students will be tested again at the Stadium Testing Center.
• Upon receiving a negative test result, you will be released from quarantine on Feb. 4.
• During the quarantine period, students will generally be restricted to their residence halls, and asked to abide by strict social distancing protocols. Students will be allowed outside for exercise and for grab-and-go food service, under limited and controlled circumstances. Additional quarantine details will be provided at check-in.

For Off-Campus Students

Students living off-campus and subject to the New York State Travel Advisory must comply with the mandatory quarantine requirement upon arrival in New York State. Specifically:

• Upon arrival to New York State, you will need to quarantine in your off-campus residence for three days. Please refer to the New York State travel advisory for quarantine requirements.
• On the fourth day, you can visit the Stadium Testing Center, where the University will provide the testing required by New York State, to allow you to exit quarantine status.
• Upon receiving a negative test result, you may exit quarantine.
• Please note, students will not have access to campus facilities (beyond the Stadium Testing Center and the Barnes Health Center) prior to exiting quarantine status.

Students Who Have Previously Tested Positive for COVID-19

Per New York State, students who have tested positive for COVID-19 are not exempt from the pre-arrival testing and quarantine requirements. Please plan accordingly to comply with the testing and quarantine requirements.

Financial Assistance

If you are experiencing financial hardship, support and assistance may be available. Please review the review information about emergency funding and complete the financial appeal for U.S. citizens/permanent residents or financial appeal for international students to apply. These requests will be reviewed quickly and based on financial need or hardship.

Where to Direct Questions

If you have questions about the pre-arrival testing requirement, please contact the COVID Project Management Office. If you have questions about your personal test result, related personal health concerns or about the Student Patient Portal, please contact the Barnes Center at The Arch.

We appreciate your continued cooperation, diligence and commitment to the University’s COVID-19 testing and public health programs, now and throughout the spring semester.

Sincerely,

Syracuse University Public Health Team