As we near the end of the fall quarter, we are reaching out today regarding the university’s COVID testing protocol in advance of Winter Break (Dec. 11 through Jan. 2). With the rise of the Omicron variant and an expected spike in COVID cases due to holiday traveling and large group gatherings, our goal is to provide you with the most up-to-date information for reducing your risk of COVID infection while you are away from campus.
The Highlights
- Before Leaving
- While Traveling
- Upon Returning to Campus
- On-Campus Testing Locations
Before Leaving
As a reminder, if you are planning to travel away from Santa Cruz and its surrounding communities for Winter Break, please review the CDC’s latest recommendations for domestic or international travel. There is a comprehensive list on the CDC website of countries with travel restrictions, such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Germany, and Denmark. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, you should also get a COVID PCR test 1-3 days before your trip. Contact Student Health Services for international travel COVID-19 testing and clearance.
We highly recommend receiving a COVID-19 booster shot as soon as you qualify (at least two months after receiving the J&J COVID-19 vaccine or six months after your second Moderna or Pfizer dose). Currently, booster shots are not available on campus but see the Santa Cruz County Health website to find a location providing them in your area.
Lastly, we are providing a limited number of at-home COVID testing kits to students before Winter Break. The kits are being provided first-come, first-serve basis, and may be picked-up at the housing office of your residential community if you live on campus or the Bay Tree Bookstore if you live off campus. Please note that we can only provide one kit per individual and it is intended for use before you return to campus. These kits are also available for purchase at local pharmacies.
While Traveling
If you plan to travel over the break, please familiarize yourself with the CDC guidelines and requirements for minimizing infection risk at the time of holiday celebrations and carefully follow those instructions. For example, wear a face covering while on a plane or other form of public transportation or around a family member that is immunocompromised if you are gathering indoors.
Upon Returning to Campus
For students who are fully vaccinated, the testing protocol for Winter Break includes some additional steps beyond what was in place for Thanksgiving Break:
- Pre-arrival testing is not required but is advised for returning to campus.
- For fully vaccinated on-campus students: An on-site test is required when you return to campus by Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Testing is available at the Express store at Bay Tree from Sunday, Jan. 2, through Friday, Jan. 7, for vaccinated students only. Additional details are provided below.
- For fully vaccinated off-campus students: An on-site test is required when you return to campus by Friday Jan. 14, 2022 . Testing is available at the Express store at Bay Tree from Sunday, Jan. 2, through Friday, Jan. 14, for vaccinated students only. Additional details are provided below.
- If you are a new arrival to our campus: You will receive a separate list of move-in instructions from your college/residential community. It will include information regarding compliance with the UC COVID Vaccine Policy, which is due on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021.
For students who are NOT fully vaccinated, the testing protocol differs depending on if you live on- or off-campus:
On-Campus Not Fully Vaccinated Students
- Pre-arrival testing is required before you return to campus. You should have received a take-home test kit with instructions before Thanksgiving Break.
- An on-site test is required when you return to campus. The Merrill testing kiosk will be closed on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 and resumes on Jan. 3. Appointments to obtain a test may be scheduled through Health E-Messenger . We encourage you to test at your first opportunity to do so. After the initial test, the current testing cadence of at least once every 4 days is required. Additional details are provided below.
- If you are a new arrival to our campus, you will receive a separate list of move-in instructions from Student Housing Services. You must log-in to Health E-Messenger to get into compliance with the UC COVID Vaccine Policy. The deadline is Monday, Dec. 13, 2021.
Off-Campus Not Fully Vaccinated Students
- Pre-arrival testing is not required but is strongly advised.
- An on-site test is required as soon as you arrive on campus . Please make an appointment at the Merrill Cultural Center testing kiosk before your return. Additional details are provided below.
- If you are a new arrival to our campus, you will need to log-in to Health E-Messenger to get into compliance with the UC COVID Vaccine Policy. The deadline is Monday, Dec. 13, 2021.
On-Campus Testing Locations
On-campus testing for both vaccinated and unvaccinated non-symptomatic individuals is available at two campus locations. Details for each location are below.
Merrill Cultural Center at Merrill College (through UCSC Kiosk, for vaccinated and unvaccinated populations with an exception):
- Days/Hours: Starting Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
- Appointments: Please make an appointment through Health e-Messenger. Walk-ins may not be able to be accommodated and will be directed to test at Fulgent.
- Turn-Around Time: Averages 24 hours for results. You will receive an email with a link to results.
Quarry Plaza Express Store (through UCSC vendor Fulgent Genetics, for vaccinated populations only).
- Days/Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Starting Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, through Jan. 14, 2022 (closed Jan. 8–9, 2022).
- Appointments: Walk-in only. First come, first served.
- To Register: Campus affiliates will be pre-registered; please provide your name and date of birth.
- Turn-Around Time: Averages 24 to 48 hours for results. You will receive an email with a link to results.
Thank you for your time and efforts for the health of our campus community.
We wish you all the best in the New Year.
