With the end of winter quarter quickly approaching, we write to share UCSC’s 2022 COVID spring break guidelines.
Highlights
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Spring break testing protocol: test before you leave; test before you return
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Pick up your free at-home testing kit before you travel
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Stay up-to-date on your COVID vaccinations; get boosted
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Know before you go: follow the latest CDC guidelines for travel
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Tested positive? Know what to do.
Spring break testing protocol
Before you leave campus: Test on campus before you travel
Traveling for spring break? Whether you are venturing near or far this break, it is important to test before and after you travel. Testing on campus before you travel can help protect your own health as well as the health of those you will be around during the break.
Before you return to campus: Test 24 hours before your return
It is equally important to test before you return to campus. As such, all students are expected to complete an at-home test 24 hours before returning to campus. Rapid antigen test kits will be available to pick up, one kit per student, from College Housing offices, Bay Tree Bookstore, Barn Theater, and Scotts Valley Center beginning March 7.
Upon your return to campus: Test on campus based on your vaccination status
Similar to the return from winter quarter, students are expected to complete an on-campus test after returning to campus. As outlined in the spring break return protocol, the timeline for testing differs depending on your residential and vaccination status.
Residential students who are not up-to-date on their COVID vaccinations must test at an on-campus testing site within 48 hours of arrival to campus.
Non-residential students who are not up-to-date on their COVID vaccinations must test at an on-campus testing site within 48 hours of resuming in-person classes or campus activities.
Residential students who are up to date on their COVID vaccinations must test at an on-campus testing site within 7 days of arrival to campus.
Non-residential students who are up-to-date on their COVID vaccinations must test at an on-campus testing site within 7 days of resuming in-person classes or campus activities.
We encourage all students to schedule an on-campus testing appointment prior to returning to campus. Limited drop-ins are available, but confirming an appointment will save you time and help ensure compliance with the on-campus testing protocol.
Note: March 25 is a university holiday. Campus offices and testing sites will be closed.
Free at-home testing kits available
Beginning March 7, home antigen testing kits will be available for students to pick up from College Housing offices, Bay Tree Campus Store, Barn Theater, and Scotts Valley Center. Test kits may be picked up between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Students are encouraged to make necessary arrangements to collect their testing kit before departing for the break. At this time, kits are limited to one per student and are intended for use in the 24 hours prior to returning to campus, as outlined in the spring break testing protocol.
Note: Post-arrival tests need to be completed at an on-campus testing location.
Stay up-to-date and get boosted
Prior to traveling, please make sure you are up-to-date on your vaccinations. If you haven’t already, get boosted as soon as you are eligible. COVID-19 vaccine boosters will be available for students at the Hay Barn on Wednesday, March 9. Moderna and Pfizer will be available. Book your appointment today.
If you are unable to attend the March 9 booster clinic, please visit Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you to schedule your booster appointment.
Know before you go
Travel guidelines are dynamic and can change regularly and/or suddenly. Before you go, make sure you know the latest CDC guidelines for domestic and international travel.
Testing Positive for COVID-19
It is important to know what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 before leaving for break or prior to returning from break.
If you test positive before break, you will need to change your travel plans, immediately isolate, and follow the COVID-19 Positive Test Result Instructions.
If you test positive prior to returning from break, you will need to delay your return and follow the COVID-19 Positive Test Result Instructions.
If you have questions about what to do following a positive test result, please contact the UC Santa Cruz COVID-19 Call Center: 1-800-809-6097.
Challenging as the start of winter quarter was, we are grateful to our community’s collective and ongoing efforts to mitigate COVID transmission on our campus. We very much look forward to spring quarter and call upon all of us to continue following our COVID protocols.
We wish you all the best of luck on finals and a successful finish to winter quarter.
Go Banana Slugs!
