UT Austin Will Require Negative COVID-19 Tests For Campus Move-In

Austin TX

11 August, 2021

1:39 PM

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AUSTIN, TX — University of Texas will require all students to be tested for COVID-19 before the first day of class, UT officials said Monday. UT officials decided to institute the requirement, which applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated students, because of rising COVID-19 cases in Texas and Austin, as well as analysis from campus public health experts, according to an announcement on UT's website. The requirement states students moving to Austin or moving to a different residence within Austin must be tested within three days before their move. Students who are already living in the same place where they'll be living during the fall semester must get a test within three days of the first day of class, which is Aug. 25. "These experts recommend testing on-campus residents to help protect the UT Austin community by identifying and preventing imported cases," the message said. "Testing prior to arrival in Austin will allow individuals who are positive to isolate in their hometowns with support of family." UT officials recommend rapid antigen tests over PCR tests, the school said. The move for testing comes after Austin-Travis County officials sent an alert Saturday warning of the "dire" COVID-19 situation in the city and limited resources in health care facilities, authorities said. We're asking all students, faculty and staff use the Protect Texas Together app for daily symptom screening before arriving on campus each day, which will help make the campus community safer If you don't have a smartphone, a phone-based application is also available— UT Austin (@UTAustin) August 9, 2021 The contagious delta variant has contributed to a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Travis County and the entire state, local health authorities report. On Tuesday, the County's Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes said there were only 2 ICU beds available for Region O, which covers 11 counties, including Travis and Williamson, and serves more than 2.3 million people. MORE ON THAT STORY: Only 2 Available ICU Beds Left In Austin Metro: APH Of the people in area hospitals, more than 80 percent are unvaccinated and an additional 3.7 percent are partially vaccinated, Walkes said. Last week, Austin-Travis County moved to Stage 5 of its COVID-19 risk-based guidance as cases continue to surge in the area. In this stage, high-risk vaccinated people as well as for partially vaccinated and unvaccinated people are asked to avoid private indoor gatherings altogether with or without masks. UT officials said students moving into residence halls or off-campus university-owned housing will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result before receiving their keys, and students living in off-campus residences will need to upload their proof of testing to the University Health Services portal. Getting vaccinated is the best protection for you and your fellow Longhorns. We encourage all members of our community to get vaccinated if you are able, and we're developing plans to make vaccination more accessible on campus during the first few weeks of the semester— UT Austin (@UTAustin) August 9, 2021 The proof of the test must include the student's name, date and time of the test; the type of test; the name of the entity issuing the test; and the test results, officials said. UT will also be providing on-site testing for students moving into university-owned housing from Aug. 20 to Aug. 22 for students who are unable to get tested before they arrive. Officials said anyone moving into university-owned housing who refuses to get a COVID-19 test will have the housing contract canceled, but students can request exemptions for medical or religious reasons. It is not clear if there will be any consequences for students living off campus who do not submit a test. Authorities said if students provide false or misleading COVID-19 test results, they may be referred to the dean of students for potential investigation and disciplinary proceedings. UT is asking students who test positive to isolate at home and contact the Behavior Concerns and COVID-19 Advice Line to report the result. Students living in university-owned housing will have their move-in date delayed until they finish isolating, the UT website states. While some public school districts, like Austin ISD, are defying Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order by issuing a mask mandate, UT officials are not requiring that masks be worn on campus, nor are they requiring proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. UT's Protect Texas website says masks are "strongly recommended" indoors regardless of a person's vaccination status, and officials are urging students, staffers and faculty members to get vaccinated. RELATED COVERAGE: Round Rock ISD To Offer Virtual Learning In 2021-2022 WilCo Justice Center Courtrooms May Require Face Masks Back To School: Austin ISD 2021-22 School Calendar