A man being tested for COVID-19

Reentry Testing Required for On-Campus Residents

Students who will live on campus, including in Greek houses, for Spring 2021 Semester must test for coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) prior to resuming classes or other on-campus activities. Testing must be done within seven days of arrival, no later than Jan. 19, 2021.

UA will offer a free PCR test on campus, or students may elect to test at home or through a personal physician prior to returning to campus. The PCR test is required.

The testing program aligns with the UA Spring 2021 Return Plan and the UA System Spring 2021 Comprehensive Health & Safety Plan. To ensure the safest environment for the campus community, reentry testing for on-campus residents will be paired with increased sentinel testing and ongoing exposure, symptomatic and for-cause testing.

Any updates to the testing process or other elements of the UA Spring 2021 Return Plan will be communicated to the campus community and posted on the UA healthinfo website.

On-Campus Reentry Testing 

A free reentry test for campus residents will be provided at Coleman Coliseum weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Jan. 7, 2021. A scheduled appointment is required. The appointment schedule will be available before Jan. 2, and an announcement will be made when appointments can be reserved. Students must bring government-issued identification and their CWID, wear a mask and maintain social distancing at the testing site.

The University purchased additional testing equipment to facilitate the use of PCR tests, a more accurate way to detect an active COVID-19 infection. The PCR test involves an observed, self-administered short nasal swab.

Results will be provided within 24 to 72 hours. Those who test negative will receive an email, and positive results will be relayed via telephone by a member of UA’s COVID-19 Support Program. Students awaiting results are encouraged to minimize contact with others and answer any phone calls with a caller ID from the COVID Support Group.

Off-Campus Reentry Testing 

For students who choose to be tested off campus by a personal health care provider, a PCR test conducted between Jan. 2 and Jan. 12 is required and must be conducted no more than seven days before returning to campus housing.

Proof of a negative PCR must be uploaded and accepted by the UA COVID-19 Test Result Repository between Jan 2 and Jan. 12. The submitted documentation must clearly show the student’s name and CWID, date and location of PCR test, and test result. The University will not be responsible for charges associated with testing from a personal health care provider.

Prior Positives

Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 since Oct. 28 should not test again for reentry testing. Those who received their positive test result on campus do not need to submit documentation. Others must upload verifiable documentation of the positive test to UA COVID-19 Test Result Repository, and affirm they served the required isolation period and have been symptom free for at least 10 days before returning to campus. Details on uploading information will be provided on the Student Health Center website and at healthinfo.ua.edu.