Following the guidance of health professionals who work closely with local and state public health officials on COVID-19 safety, the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) has announced that in-person instruction resumes on Jan. 24.
UIC has decided to emphasize comprehensive testing, contact tracing, masking, and vaccination to ensure the safety of its campus.
Key Takeaways:
- On Jan. 24, in-person instruction at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) will resume.
- To guarantee the safety of its campus, UIC has prioritized rigorous testing, contact tracing, masking, and vaccination.
- COVID-19 re-entry testing is required of students who are returning to college within 72 hours after their initial entry.
Students who return to campus must take COVID-19 re-entry testing within 72 hours of their initial arrival. They are recommended to use the saliva/PCR testing available on campus. Students who take the test at any UIC location will not have to submit their scores because these will be automatically captured.
However, those testing outside of UIC must submit documentation of a COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) online by Friday, Jan. 21.
To meet the increased demand for testing at the start of the semester, UIC will sponsor a SHIELD Illinois COVID-19 testing location in the Isadore & Sadie Dorin Forum, Monday through Friday, beginning Jan. 24.
Beginning Jan. 24, testing hours at UIC’s existing Student Center East and Student Center West locations will be extended.
Additionally, on Jan. 23, the Student Center East testing site will be open. The UIC community is welcome to test at any site and should refer to the saliva testing webpage for the most up-to-date hours and information.
UIC has also announced that testing for COVID-19 is mandatory for the following:
- All unvaccinated students, faculty, and employees with a medical or religious exemption, as well as all partly vaccinated students, professors, and staff, at least twice per week, 48 hours apart.
- Once every seven days, all students, instructors, and staff in residential housing and performing arts.
- UIC Athletics has testing guidelines for student-athletes to follow.
Meanwhile, all students, instructors, and staff not in the required testing categories are highly encouraged to participate in surveillance testing.
Throughout the semester, specific units and departments will be asked by email on a rolling basis to engage in saliva testing to inform current and future health and safety measures.
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