Testing updates for holidays and spring semester

Posted: November 12, 2021

As many are planning for the upcoming holidays and winter break, we’d like to share the following important updates regarding COVID-19 testing during university holidays and on-boarding for the spring semester to assist you in your planning.

Additional updates with detailed instructions will be provided in the upcoming weeks.

Please note, information on surveillance testing for student-athletes, as well as spring on-boarding testing for new global students may differ from the details outlined below due to NCAA and travel guidelines. These students should follow instructions from their coaches, athletics office, or office of global support and student engagement.

KEY DATES TO KEEP IN MIND:

Nov. 21-27 | Surveillance and voluntary off-boarding testing

• There will be no routine surveillance testing on these days due to Thanksgiving break. The last days of routine surveillance testing for the semester will be Nov. 28 – Dec. 4.
• Gannon will provide free, voluntary testing from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 22, for anyone who would like to do so before heading home for the Thanksgiving holiday. To schedule an appointment, email testappt@gannon.edu 48 hours in advance of your desired test time.

Dec. 5-Jan. 7 | Surveillance and voluntary off-boarding testing

• There will be no routine surveillance testing on these days due to final exams and winter break. Please continue reading for instructions regarding spring surveillance testing.
• Gannon will provide free, voluntary testing from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 6-8 for anyone who would like to do so before heading home for winter break. To schedule an appointment, email testappt@gannon.edu 48 hours in advance of your desired test time.

Jan. 3-7 | Return-to-work testing for unvaccinated employees

• Onboarding surveillance testing is required for all unvaccinated employees. It will begin the week of Jan. 2.
• Employees will receive an email at the end of this month with a link to register for an onboarding test. An appointment must be made prior to the end of the fall semester.
• Employees will schedule their routine surveillance test for the spring semester on-site when they arrive for onboarding testing.

Jan. 8 | Return to campus and testing for unvaccinated students

• ALL unvaccinated students, living on- or off-campus, are required to receive a Gannon COVID-19 test prior to the first day of classes. Tests conducted off campus will not be accepted for return to campus.
• Students who are unvaccinated should plan to return to campus on Saturday, Jan. 8. Testing will be available from 2 to 6 p.m.
• A link to register for an onboarding test appointment will be emailed following Thanksgiving break to those who have not registered their vaccine card with the university. An appointment must be made prior to the end of the fall semester.

• Students will schedule their routine surveillance test for the spring semester on-site when they arrive for onboarding testing. 

Jan. 9 | Return to campus for vaccinated students and students in 90-day prior+ window

• Students who are vaccinated should plan to return to campus on Sunday, Jan. 9 before the start of class.
  

Students and employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90-days prior to the start of the Spring semester should ensure that their positive test result is on file with the Gannon Health Center in order to follow guidelines for fully vaccinated or 90-day prior-positive individuals. To report being in the 90-day window from a COVID+ diagnosis, please email your test results to hlthcoun@gannon.edu.

To further assist in your planning, below is an outline of when routine surveillance testing will be available for the spring semester.

WANT TO BE CONSIDERED FULLY VACCINATED FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER?

You are considered “fully vaccinated” with the university two weeks after your final dose of your vaccine regardless of the particular type of vaccine received, and after you’ve submitted a copy of your vaccine card at https://update.gannon.edu/vaccinecard. For example, if you are returning to campus Jan. 9, the last day to receive your final vaccine dose would be Dec. 25. Boosters are recommended but not required at this time.

View the PA Department of Health Vaccine Provider map below or access your state’s map to find a location with available vaccine appointments near you.

• Pennsylvania

If you have questions about the timing of your vaccine and move-in, please contact hlthcoun@gannon.edu and our nursing team would be happy to assist you.

QUESTIONS?

For questions regarding moving in and or out of residence halls between breaks, or staying on campus over break, please contact reslife@gannon.edu. 

For questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, please contact hlthcoun@gannon.edu.

For other questions or comments, you may submit them on update.gannon.edu at https://www.gannon.edu/Questions-or-Comments/.