As of July 1, the University of Wyoming revised their COVID-19 testing policy for students and staff.
Institutional communications sent out an update on June 25 that describes the revisions, including the elimination of a key aspect of the University’s most recent COVID safety plan, which changes how students and staff need to handle testing.
UW will be sending emails to a random 3% pool of students and staff from this point, forward. The small sample size of tested staff and students will be asked to schedule a testing appointment similar to the testing process used through the last year.
“The exact procedure is no different from before. The only major difference is the amount of people we’re asking to be tested, really,” Kayla Jensen, a testing center employee and UW student, said.
The testing site will be located in the basement of the Student Union. All testing participants are being asked to wear masks and take standard COVID-19 precautionary measures, such as social distancing when they arrive.
“For anyone who’s coming to get tested, it’ll just look like an average day last semester,” Jensen said. “Maybe a little emptier.”
Along with the change in sampling size, UW is also allowing for an opt-out option for any vaccinated staff and students.
According to UW’s COVID-19 Testing Resources webpage, all personnel can opt-out for the three following reasons: If staff or students have completed a diagnostic test within five days; if there are unforeseen issues causing conflicts; or if you are at least two weeks out from being fully vaccinated.
“I’m hoping to see less people coming in. I would prefer if everyone got vaccinated and was able to opt-out,” Jensen said.
Testing accommodations can also be made by visiting the COVID-19 Testing Resources page online and filling out a form for either student, faculty or staff accommodations.
Another change, according to the June 25 “The Big Picture” statement, is the elimination of the COVID Pass checks. However, the webpage linked in the email currently is unavailable.
All of these changes appear to fall in line with UW’s goal of returning to normal and opening campus safely.
UW announced on May 24 that it was lifting mask and social distancing requirements, following orders from the Wyoming Department of Health and Board of Trustees.
UW also announced earlier that the campus will move ahead with plans for a full face-to-face return in the fall with classes at maximum capacity.
According to institutional communications, the Board of Trustees voted on March 26 to “fully reopen” the university “consistent with the health policy guidelines and directives of the state and federal governments regarding COVID-19.”
UW still recommends that students and staff who are not vaccinated follow previous masking guidelines. You can visit the statement and find more information, here: Better Days Are Here | University of Wyoming (uwyo.edu)
“While it’s not required, UW students and employees are strongly encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” reads the statement, alongside a link for COVID-19 vaccination info for the UW community.
