To the UD Community:

The spring semester at the University of Delaware will feature more face-to-face classes and activities, so the need for everyone to practice healthy behaviors and protect the wellbeing of our community is our top priority. Below is important information about safety protocols, vaccinations and testing requirements, including actions that you need to take both before and after your arrival on campus.

The University’s health and safety guidelines — proper use of cloth face coverings, physical distancing, hand sanitization, etc. — remain in effect until further notice. Everyone, including visitors, who will be using campus facilities must complete the COVID-19 Daily Health Screening each day they will be on campus. These measures helped ensure a successful fall semester and Winter Session — with relatively low numbers of COVID-19 cases on campus and no evidence of transmission in our classrooms and labs — and will continue to be essential in the University’s efforts to “Protect the Flock.”

All members of the University community are encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to them. Information about where and how to get vaccinated in Delaware is available at de.gov/coronavirus. Those living outside of Delaware can get vaccine information from their state or local public health agency. More information about vaccines will be communicated as it becomes available. After you are vaccinated, you must still adhere to the University’s health guidelines and testing requirements.

For students who will be living on campus

Students who will be living in UD residence halls are strongly encouraged to obtain a COVID-19 test and the result within 72 hours before returning to campus. If you have test results available, please submit them to Student Health Services; log in and select Medical Clearances, then the Update button next to COVID-19. If you had COVID-19 within the previous 90 days and have recovered, you do not need to be tested, but please submit your previous positive test result to Student Health Services through the same portal.

All residential students and students attending in-person classes during the spring semester are required to complete an online training program on COVID-19 safety designed to help them “Protect the Flock.” The program will be emailed to all students before the start of the spring semester, and it must be completed by Feb. 26. Students who will not be on campus are also strongly encouraged to complete this program.

Beginning Feb. 15, students who are living in UD residence halls and are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms must be tested at a UD testing site once a week. Students will be notified of how to schedule their test each week and must participate; no walk-ups will be permitted. Testing sites will be open for students with an appointment Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Harker ISE Lab and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Clayton Hall. You must complete the COVID-19 Daily Health Screening and bring the results and your UD identification with you to the testing site, preferably on a phone or tablet. If you had COVID-19 and have recovered, you should not participate in weekly testing for 90 days after you began experiencing symptoms.

For students living off campus

Students who are living off campus but coming to campus for classes or activities are strongly encouraged to obtain a COVID-19 test and the result within 72 hours before returning to campus. Beginning Feb. 15, off-campus students who are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are strongly encouraged to get tested at least monthly. Students should take advantage of the many testing sites available throughout New Castle County and the state of Delaware. Students can also request a home test kit. If you have test results available, please submit them to Student Health Services; log in and select Medical Clearances, then the Update button next to COVID-19. This will help the University adequately monitor the health of the UD community.

On a random basis, Student Health Services will select and require off-campus students to test at UD testing centers. Students will be notified of how to schedule their test and must participate; no walk-ups will be permitted. If you are selected, you must complete the COVID-19 Daily Health Screening and bring the results and your UD identification with you to the testing site, preferably on a phone or tablet. If you are selected to test at a UD testing center, you must make an appointment as no walk-ups are permitted.

All students attending in-person classes during the spring semester are required to complete an online training program on COVID-19 safety designed to help them “Protect the Flock.” The program will be emailed to all students before the start of the spring semester, and it must be completed by Feb. 26. Students who will not be on campus are also strongly encouraged to complete this program.

For faculty and staff who are on campus regularly

Faculty and staff who are coming to campus regularly are strongly encouraged to obtain a COVID-19 test and the result within 72 hours before returning to campus. After that initial test, the University recommends that faculty and staff get tested once a month.

Faculty and staff should take advantage of the many testing sites available throughout New Castle County and the state of Delaware. Faculty and staff can also request a home test kit. Please note that while campus testing sites are also available to UD faculty and staff, testing is by appointment only and priority will be given to UD students. Test results should be submitted to the UD Health Portal, so the University can adequately monitor the health of the UD community.

Throughout the past year, the University of Delaware’s students, faculty and staff have demonstrated flexibility, patience and resilience in the face of this unprecedented global pandemic. The spring semester, as well, will require continued vigilance to protect our community from COVID-19.

For more information about the spring semester, please see the guidelines and a list of FAQs at udel.edu/coronavirus. If you have additional questions, please email coronavirus@udel.edu.