December 18, 2020
Dear Tulane Community,
In order to protect the campus community and city residents as we return to in-person classes following Winter Recess, all new and returning students will be required to complete a return-to-campus test in January and participate in ongoing surveillance testing throughout the spring semester. Notices to schedule testing will be sent beginning Jan. 4, 2020.
Tulane University and Campus Health will close for Winter Recess from Dec. 18, 2020 through Jan. 3, 2021. If you are in need of medical care in the New Orleans area during that time please check our website or your health insurance for available local options.
Pre-Arrival to Campus
Tulane is requiring all students to complete a COVID-19 test and provide documentation before returning to campus – instructions on uploading documentation will be shared soon. We are also requesting you take precautions and quarantine for 5-7 days prior to your return to New Orleans. This will reduce your risk of returning to campus with COVID-19. Your test to return to campus should be as close to your return date as possible. We do recognize testing may not be available for all students, email CHTestResults@tulane.edu if you are unable to get a test.
New Flu Vaccine Requirement
New for spring, all students are required to receive a flu vaccine and submit documentation (see instructions below). We will offer flu vaccine at the Arrival Center and on Campus in January; however, please do not wait – many pharmacies (Walgreens and CVS) and retail outlets (Target, WalMart) offer vaccines at low or no charge to you.
*Students with medical, religious, or personal reasons will have an option to submit an exemption form.
Instructions
How to submit your pre-arrival COVID-19 test and flu vaccine record:
- Log into the patient portal using your Tulane email address (without the @tulane.edu) and your email password
- Click "Immunization" in the top menu (be patient while the page loads)
- Find the Influenza Requirement and click in the blue bar so the drop down appears
- Fill in all the date you received the flu vaccine. When finished, click "Submit."
Testing Frequency for Return to Campus
Undergraduate Students
- All students living on campus are required to go through the Tulane Arrival Center (located at the downtown Hyatt Regency) before moving on campus, regardless of COVID-19 history. Testing hours are 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The QR code and your Splash ID number are required to access testing services – no appointment is needed.
- All on- and off-campus Newcomb-Tulane College (NTC) undergraduate students will be required to complete three COVID-19 tests within one week of their return to campus.
Graduate, Professional and School of Professional Advancement Students
- These students will be required to complete one test prior to the start of classes.
All students will receive a QR code via e-mail from no-reply@lablynx.com that will enable access to testing. Upon receipt of your QR code, utilize the patient portal to set appointments based on availability and testing requirement.
Please see below for more information about specific requirements:
On-Campus students who have NEVER had COVID-19
Undergraduate students who have never tested positive for COVID-19 are required to receive their return-to-campus test at the Arrival Center. These students should go to the Arrival Center for testing based on their move-in date. After the initial test is completed at the Arrival Center, NTC undergraduate students will be required to test for COVID-19 two additional times during the first week of the return to campus period.
Off-campus students who have NEVER had COVID-19
Off-campus students do not need to utilize the Arrival Center testing program. Undergraduate (includes SOPA), graduate and professional students from any school who are living off campus are required to get return-to-campus testing at any Tulane Testing Center location (uptown or downtown).
Students who tested positive for COVID-19 prior to Oct. 1, 2020
Any student who tested positive for COVID-19 prior to Oct. 1, 2020 will be required to follow the return-to-campus testing protocol as stated above and follow scheduled surveillance testing throughout the semester. Campus Health providers will work directly with these students on any issues they encounter.
Students who tested positive for COVID-19 after Oct. 1, 2020
- Any student who tested positive for COVID-19 on or after Oct. 1, 2020, will not be required to complete a return-to-campus COVID-19 test and will not participate in surveillance testing until directed to do so by Campus Health.
- All Students who tested positive outside of the Tulane Testing Program must submit documentation through the COVID-19 Reporting Form.
- On-campus students are REQUIRED to report to the Arrival Center for assessment and education by Campus Health to be cleared to move onto campus – no appointment is required. Booking a room at the Hyatt is not required.
