Indoor Masking Policy Update

Face masks are optional in all indoor spaces. 

Starting on Saturday, March 26, Penn State will pause its required COVID-19 testing for students, faculty and staff.  Although required COVID-19 testing is being paused, testing will continue to be available to students who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19, are identified as a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Student tests will continue to be distributed by the student health center and in room 235. Students are no longer able to order PCR tests online via Vault Health and are encouraged to use test kits they previously ordered. Monday holds on students’ access to CANVAS due to non-compliance with covid testing will no longer be in effect.

Faculty and staff may seek testing through their health care provider or other local COVID-19 testing options. Employees are no longer able to order PCR tests online from Vault Health and are encouraged to use test kits they previously ordered or obtain free, at-home rapid tests from the U.S. government by ordering them online at covidtests.gov. Symptomatic employees should stay home from work and are advised to schedule an appointment with their health care provider for testing.  

We still encourage all to get vaccinated if you are not.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Tom Dubreuil at [email protected].

Quarantine and Isolation Guidance

Penn State is adopting the new CDC guidance for quarantine and isolation effective immediately and acting conservatively.  We will continue to adapt and modify this guidance as needed 

Isolation Guidance 

Guidance is the same for those that are unvaccinated, vaccinated and/or have received a booster: 

  • Isolate for a minimum of 5 days from symptom start or date of positive test, if asymptomatic.  The default isolation period will be 10 days and we will adjust this if students test negative and meet the criteria to leave isolation. 
  • Students who are asymptomatic, fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication and symptoms are resolving may test on day 5 or later to possibly shorten the isolation period.  If you do not meet these criteria, you must remain in isolation for 10 days and should not test on Day 5. 
  • With a negative test, isolation can end on day 6 or immediate if after Day 6.  Students must always wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.  It is highly recommended a rapid test is used.  PCR Tests are more sensitive and may remain positive for an extended period of time.
  • If test is positive, isolate for another 5 days and out on Day 11. 

Quarantine Guidance for Close Contacts 

Boosted, Fully-vaccinated and not eligible for booster yet, or positive in the last 90 days: 

  • Do NOT have to quarantine 
  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days from your last date of close contact
  • Get tested at least 5 days after the last date of close contact (This will not be monitored but included in all communication from Contact Tracing). 
  • Monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 days following exposure 

Unvaccinated or Fully vaccinated (final dose of primary vaccine series plus 2 weeks) and NOT boosted: 

  • Quarantine for a minimum of 5 days.  The default quarantine period will be 10 days and we will adjust this if students test on Day 5 or later following the last date of their exposure. 
  • With a negative test on Day 5 or later, may leave quarantine on Day 6 or immediately if after Day 6.  Must always wear a mask around others for 5 days after quarantine ends. 
  • If a positive result, follow isolation guidance. 
  • Monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 days following exposure 

General Notes: 

Symptomatic close contacts should test immediately.  If negative, will follow the appropriate quarantine guidance.  If they test before day 5, they do still need to have a negative test day 5 or later to test out of quarantine. 

Uploading Test Results 

Uploads to UHS: 

  • Positive third-party test results from a medical provider, local pharmacy, etc. 
  • Self-administered at-home positive rapid tests cannot be uploaded to UHS 
  • No negative results should be uploaded to UHS 

Uploads to the Negative result upload system managed by Contact Tracing:  

  • Negative test results to test out of Q/I that are not University-processed tests (3rd party from a pharmacy/medical provider or self-administered at home tests) 
  • At-home tests should include a picture of the test, with their name and test date written on it with their student ID next to it.  

Contact Tracing Referral Form: 

  • Positive self-administered at-home rapid tests can be reported (no upload process) to contact tracing through this form or by calling 814-863-8800. The form is the preferred method. 

Student Vaccination Information and Requirements

For unvaccinated students or students who have not submitted their vaccination records, the following testing process is mandatory.

  • Every Thursday you will receive an email from PSU Covid-19 Asymptomatic Testing Program
  • The email will provide details on how to order your weekly test.  For Penn State Lehigh Valley, the email will have a link to order a test.  Tests will be delivered to your home and you will take them while being observed virtually by a staff member from the testing company.
  • The test is to be returned in a pre-paid UPS package.  You need to drop off the test at UPS drop off center or we will have a box at the main desk on campus where you can drop the completed test.
  • The test must be completed by the following Wednesday, giving you seven days to complete it and mail it.
  • Failure to complete the test on a weekly basis will result in you going through the student conduct process.  After two missed tests your registration for the spring semester will be placed on hold.  After three missed tests, you will be subject to interim suspension.
  • For those who have been vaccinated and just need to submit their records, go to:  https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/myuhs
  • For students who are fully virtual and who will no be on campus at all this semester, there will be information released soon about being exempt from the testing.

Again, please keep a lookout for the email from PSU Covid-19 Asymptomatic Testing Program.  It should be sent around noon on every Thursday.

Penn State is strongly encouraging all students, faculty and staff to sign up to get a vaccine as soon as they are eligible to receive one.  

Learn more in these helpful links:

When will I be eligible for a vaccine?

Where can I go to receive a vaccine?

Which vaccine should I take?

If I’m vaccinated, do I still need to participate in Penn State’s testing programs? Should I keep following health guidelines?

Learn more: Penn State's vaccine distribution preparedness

Learn more: Penn State Expert Insights

The University continues to encourage all members of our Penn State community to vaccinate — and for safety and planning purposes, share your status (using the channels below) — as soon as possible.

The University is currently transitioning our masking and physical distancing requirements to more closely align with changes recently announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pennsylvania Department of Health that relax COVID-19 restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals. Below are the highlights for the plan:

  • Current requirements — all students, regardless of vaccination status, are expected to continue to wear masks and practice physical distancing inside buildings through June 28, the last day of Summer Session I.

  • After June 28:

    • Fully vaccinated individuals at Penn State are no longer required to wear face masks indoors, and the physical distancing and outdoor masking requirements will be lifted for all individuals. The use of face masks will still be required for all people in some settings such as when visiting on-campus health care facilities and when conducting in-person research involving human subjects.
    • Unvaccinated students at Penn State must continue to wear masks.

How to register vaccine information:

Students:

Faculty/Staff:

Questions?

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Email: [email protected]
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Additional campus-specific questions related to COVID-19 can be directed to [email protected].