The campus implemented its COVID-19 testing requirement two weeks ago and, as of today (Dec. 1), the Daily Symptom Survey is asking employees and students if they have complied. For those who answer “no,” the survey will respond with “not approved” for entry to UC Davis facilities in Davis and elsewhere in Yolo County.

Employees and students will also see “not approved” if they may have symptoms or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, as indicated by their other survey answers. Lack of a flu vaccination (or an exemption) will also generate “not approved.”

Testing is required of all employees and students who are accessing UC Davis facilities in Davis or elsewhere in Yolo County, and must be done no more than seven days in advance (including the access date). If you are an employee or student who is accessing these facilities at least once a week, you must be tested weekly.

The campus has developed a testing program for employees and students; the tests are free and limited to those who are asymptomatic. The testing process uses saliva samples; they are screened at the UC Davis Genome Center, which generally produces results within 24 to 48 hours, though some results have been taking 72 hours or more since the campus expanded its testing program to all students and employees Nov. 18.

Employees and students can also choose to be tested elsewhere; more information is available in the COVID-19 Testing FAQ.

The Daily Symptom Survey asks for a “yes” or “no” answer to: “Have you been tested for COVID-19 within the past seven days?” or “Do you have an appointment for COVID-19 testing today?” A notation states: “May be subject to verification.”

Employees and students can also indicate the question does not apply, because they are accessing UC Davis facilities outside of Yolo County.

Note: You need not have received your results in order to answer “yes” to having had a test within the last seven days; your “yes” simply declares that you had the test.

All tests are by appointment that you arrange yourself in the Health-e-Messaging portal. Please note that testing availability varies each week and same-day testing appointments are not guaranteed. See box for the testing kiosk location and the latest schedule.

The testing process

Remember: This testing is only for employees and students who do not have symptoms. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, contact your doctor or Occupational Health Services if you are a campus employee or Student Health and Counseling Services if you are a student.

If you are asymptomatic, here’s what to do:

• Make an appointment before you go.
• What to bring — Your appointment QR code and Daily Symptom Survey approval (save a screenshot to show at the kiosk, or show your “approval” email or present a copy you have printed out).
• One hour before — Drink plenty of fluids to stay well-hydrated.
• Thirty minutes before — Do not eat, drink, chew gum or smoke.
• Be prepared to wait in line outside — Wear your face covering and maintain physical distance while you wait.
• When it’s your turn — Follow the seven-step process previewed in this video. The process includes gently swirling water in your mouth, then pushing saliva through a straw, into a vial.

Post-Thanksgiving

A reminder to students who went home for Thanksgiving or spent the holiday with a household other than their own, and have now returned: The campus asked you to get a test before you left and another within seven days of returning, but no later than Sunday (Dec. 6). Note: The testing kiosk that day will be open from noon to 5 p.m., which is a shorter period than normal. Students should practice “shelter in place” until their test results are received. Students with residential meal plans will be able to get meals to-go from their assigned dining commons.

Learn more about UC Davis’ COVID-19 testing program.

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