FILE PHOTO: Campus of the University of Utah. (Jordan Allred/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah wants all students, staff, and faculty to be tested for COVID-19 before returning to campus next week after the fall break.
This is the campus-wide alert the university sent out Friday morning:
U OF U ALERT: COVID-19 testing recommended for all returning to campus regardless of vaccination status.”
The request is simply that — a request. It is not a requirement. And the U says asking for the test is nothing new.
“A lot of our team members and students have been doing weekly asymptomatic testing just as part of the process,” says spokesperson Chris Nelson.
The school has two sites on campus that offer free testing for students, staff, faculty, and their family members. These are in the Student Union Building and the Fort Douglas Officer’s Club.
“Vaccination status doesn’t matter. We would like people getting tested whether they’re vaccinated or not,” Nelson says.
The school announced a student vaccine requirement for the fall semester. Around 87% of the student body are fully vaccinated or in the process of getting there, according to Nelson.
Testing hours are:
Monday – 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday – 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday – 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday – 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Friday – 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Monday – None
Tuesday – 12:00 p.m to 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – None
Thursday – 12:00 p.m to 5:30 p.m.
Friday – 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
To make an appointment, visit the University of Utah testing site.