Dear Students,
This message contains important information about scheduling your appointment for on-campus COVID-19 testing. Two rounds of testing are REQUIRED for:
1. all undergraduate students who did not elect to be “fully remote,”
2. graduate and professional students who are taking in-person classes,
3. all students who are living on campus, and
4. all student-athletes participating in athletic activities (as communicated previously).
If you do not fall into one of the above categories, you can disregard this email.
These students are required to complete TWO SEPARATE TESTS administered by Vault Health at no cost. Please sign up for one or two on-campus appointments as outlined below. It is important that you read this information thoroughly and carefully.
I. Undergraduate students living on campus and student-athletes
Most of you completed your FIRST TEST at home in order to be permitted to move into your residence hall. For those of you who are living on campus and need to complete your first test on campus, we will be providing you with dates and times for your first and second tests—you do not need to sign up for a test at this time. For those awaiting test results, refer to the communication sent August 14.
Those who have already completed their first test at home are required to sign up for one in-person appointment on campus to complete their SECOND TEST on either:
- WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19 or
- FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
---->Undergraduate on-campus students and student-athletes register here. All testing will begin at 9:00 a.m. and students will sign up for a 15-minute time slot.
II. Graduate and professional students taking in-person classes and all undergraduate students who are not “fully remote”
You must sign up for two in-person appointments on campus to complete your two tests. All testing will begin at 9:00 a.m. and students will sign up for a 15-minute time slot.
You may sign up for an appointment to take your FIRST TEST on the either of the following dates:
- MONDAY, AUGUST 24 or
- TUESDAY, AUGUST 25
You may sign up for an appointment to take your SECOND TEST on either of the following dates:
- MONDAY, AUGUST 31 or
- TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Please note that if you receive a positive result on your first test, you will be provided with instructions and support from the Health and Wellness Center to isolate and will not be permitted to take the second test.
Important information for all students being tested:
- We are asking all students to complete two tests spaced apart in order to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 on campus.
- This is the only opportunity for on-site testing of students to gain access to campus. It is important that you complete both tests on these dates, even if you don’t plan on immediately accessing campus, in order to gain and maintain access to campus facilities throughout the fall semester.
- Vault Health sample collection teams will staff specified outdoor tented locations on campus with proper social distancing and health protocols in place. Students should hold to their scheduled appointment to help minimize the number of students accessing the testing site at the same time.
- Students will be granted access to campus to be tested on the scheduled testing days. However, no student may access any campus facility or attend any in-person class until receiving their FIRST test result and testing negative. You do not need to have received your second test result in order to gain access; however, failure to complete your second test could result in building access being revoked. Faculty can readily accommodate students who must start classes remotely during this time, including any student who must isolate as a result of receiving a positive test result.
- Students who test positive should stay home and will not be permitted to access campus. The Health and Wellness Center will provide guidance about isolation and next steps to any student who tests positive.
- If you fall into the category of students who are required to get tested, you must take both Vault Health tests, even if you have been in Bethlehem and already have campus access. Graduate students doing research, teaching, or working in an office on campus; those registered for thesis credits or for maintenance of candidacy; and those living in graduate dorms or Saucon Village are NOT required to take the tests unless they are taking in-person classes.
- At-home and on-campus testing does not eliminate quarantine requirements for those coming from countries listed by the CDC as level 2 and 3 and the states designated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as “hot spots.” If you are traveling from or through one of these areas, you must still complete the 14-day quarantine before being allowed on campus, even if you have tested negative.
- Students must download the HawkWatch App and complete the daily self-assessment every day to have access to campus.
On the day of your appointment:
- Wear a face covering at all times, other than when you are taking your test.
- Arrive at the assigned location at the scheduled appointment time with a smartphone or device. A smart device is required to log in or to register a new account. Please note: There will be a limited number of iPads available for those without mobile phones with internet access.
- It is very important that you arrive at the tent at your scheduled dates and times. The testing process should take approximately 15 minutes per person. You may be asked to stand in a socially distanced queue to wait for your appointment inside the tent. Please follow all directional instructions and maintain 6’ of distance from others at all times.
- A Lehigh staff member will be on site to ensure social distancing and the flow of appointments. Please have your Lehigh ID available at all times.
- Drink plenty of water so you are hydrated, which is key to producing enough saliva to successfully complete the test, but make sure to fast for 30 minutes before the test (NO food or drink, including water, and no smoking).
- Using a smartphone or device, scan the provided QR code to visit Vault’s web-app for registration and questions regarding COVID-19 exposure/symptoms. Students who have taken the Vault at-home test will already have set up an account and should bring their login information.
- Enter the serial number on the Saliva Collection Device when prompted by the web-app.
- Provide a saliva sample under Vault Health test supervision.
- Vault will return test results to all applicable parties electronically within 48-72 hours from the sample’s arrival at the lab.
- After completing your test, you should immediately leave the area and avoid congregating in groups. Social distancing and the wearing of face coverings are required at all times.
For more FAQs specific to arrival testing, visit our Arrival page. For more information about the return to campus, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you have any questions not answered in the FAQ, please email inopen@lehigh.edu.
Thank you for your continued cooperation as we work together to ensure a safe and successful semester for all members of our community.