COVID-19 Summer Testing Policies (5/24/21)

Healthy Yale.

To: Yale faculty, staff, and post-doctoral and post-graduate trainees

Good afternoon,

We are pleased to see that cases of COVID-19, both on campus and in the greater New Haven community, have dropped significantly in recent weeks as vaccination rates climb. COVID-19 testing remains a key part of our strategy to prevent outbreaks and continue the current positive trends. Policies for the Yale campus for summer 2021 are outlined below and available here.

Vaccination

As recently announced by President Salovey, all faculty, staff, post-doctoral and post-graduate trainees are required to be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption from vaccination by August 1. Vaccine is currently widely available through the Yale COVID-19 Vaccine Program and the state, as well as nationwide, and we urge you to seek vaccination now if you are not already vaccinated. Additional information can be found on the Yale COVID-19 Vaccine Program website.

The testing and quarantine policies below have been modified for fully vaccinated individuals who have submitted their documentation.

  • Fully vaccinated is defined as 2 weeks following the second dose of a 2-dose series, or a single dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
  • Beginning June 1, faculty, staff, and trainees MUST submit documentation of their vaccination through the Yale Employee Vaccine Portal. Instructions for submitting your documentation may be found on the Yale COVID-19 Vaccine Program website.
  • Until vaccination information is confirmed in the university’s system, unvaccinated status will apply.

Arrivals and travel

In all cases, faculty, staff and trainees who are arriving from out-of-state or international locations must follow appropriate Yale travel requirements for vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals when returning to or arriving in New Haven. Note that fully vaccinated individuals are not required to test or quarantine following domestic travel.

Voluntary and symptomatic testing

All members of the community, regardless of vaccination status, will continue to have access to asymptomatic testing if desired through the Yale COVID-19 Screening Program. Testing is strongly recommended in the event of a significant exposure to a known case. In addition, testing in the event of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 should be obtained through the Campus Covid Resource Line at 203-432-6604. Summer test sites and hours of operation can be found here.

FACULTY AND STAFF TESTING POLICIES

Summer high contact staff (who will also receive a separate communication)

  • Fully vaccinated staff: No routine asymptomatic testing required after June 1.
  • Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated staff: Weekly testing required beginning June 1 until fully vaccinated.

All other faculty, staff, post-doctoral and post-graduate trainees

  • Fully vaccinated staff: No routine asymptomatic testing required after June 1.
  • Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated staff:
    • Testing is voluntary, but is recommended for faculty, staff, and trainees who are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated.
    • Asymptomatic testing protocols to be determined in the coming weeks.

As always, if you have questions you may contact the Campus COVID Resource Line at 203-432-6604.

Thank you for your patience and your commitment to a Healthy Yale.

Madeline S. Wilson, MD, FACP
Chief Quality Officer
Director, Yale COVID Testing and Tracing Program
Yale Health Center