Last Updated: January 14, 2022 4:41:37 PM PST
Update: Required testing for those who conduct on-site work (January 14, 2022)
All employees, regardless of vaccination status, must complete a COVID-19 PCR test on the day they return to campus (or their first day working on-site) via
vending machine or
by appointment at a drive-through site or at the Price Center clinic, unless they have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days. Learn more on the
Employee Screening and Testing page, including instructions for employees who test positive.
As part of our institutional efforts to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our campus community, UC San Diego has a Campus COVID-19 Testing Program (PPM 516-31) which details required testing. Required testing must be completed through UC San Diego Health at no cost to employees.
More information about required COVID-19 testing for UC San Diego employees who are not fully vaccinated can be found in the FAQs below. If you have additional questions about required employee testing after reviewing the FAQs, please contact your department Human Resources representative or email employeerelations@ucsd.edu.
Please note: the information on this page pertains to required testing for UC San Diego campus employees who are not fully vaccinated. Health Sciences and Health System employees should contact Health Human Resources for guidance and information.
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Why is the University requiring COVID-19 testing for employees who are not fully vaccinated?
In order to continue to support the safety of our campus community and in light of the continued spread of COVID-19, UC San Diego requires testing for all academics and staff on campus who are not fully vaccinated.
Who is required to get tested for COVID-19?
How frequently are employees required to be tested for COVID-19?
Campus COVID-19 Testing Program (PPM 516-31) as there may be differences based on the reason you are required to test or the frequency of your onsite work.
Where do I go to get my required COVID-19 test?
Do I have to wait to receive a negative result before reporting to my work location? How quickly will I receive my test results?
No, if you are asymptomatic and taking your test pursuant to this required process, you don’t have to wait to receive your results prior to reporting to/back to your work location. Results are typically available within 24 hours.
Please note: if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of your test results, do not report to your worksite. Instead, follow the instructions for symptomatic testing. Additionally, if you have been provided guidance by UC San Diego Health, please follow those instructions.
Will getting my required COVID-19 test be considered work time?
When testing pursuant to the Campus COVID-19 Testing Program (PPM 516-31) at a UC San Diego Health testing location, the test time will be considered work time. You must consult with your supervisor, team lead, or department chair regarding when you will be tested during your work shift to minimize disruptions to campus operations.
What if my supervisor, team lead or department chair does not allow me to take a COVID-19 test on work time?
Staff employees may contact their department HR representative and/or employeerelations@ucsd.edu for follow up and assistance.
General campus academic appointees may contact Kelly Lindlar, Director of Academic Employee & Labor Relations, at klindlar@ucsd.edu.
Health Sciences academic appointees may contact Daniel Zummo, Director of Academic Employee Relations for Health Sciences, at dzummo@ucsd.edu.
Do I have to certify somewhere and/or provide proof of testing?
No, because you are testing at a UC San Diego Health location, your compliance with the required testing will automatically be documented.
Can I refuse the required COVID-19 test?
Employees who are required to undergo COVID-19 testing and refuse to do so may be placed on a leave without pay and/or subject to other appropriate actions.
What if I am called into work in-person or required to go in-person without enough notice to comply with the program?
If you are called in to work onsite without enough notice to be in compliance with the program, you should make an effort to get tested prior to going onsite. If testing in advance is not feasible, you must test when you are onsite.
What happens if I test positive?
If I test positive and remote work is available to me, do I have to work?
I had COVID-19 a few weeks ago. I have no symptoms but I’m still testing positive. Can I report to work?
If you had COVID-19, either with symptoms or without symptoms, within the past 90 days, if you have passed the symptom and exposure screening and are otherwise allowed to return to work by your healthcare provider and/or UC San Diego Health, you can report to work. After 90 days following your last positive test, you must restart required tests.
Do I need insurance to get my required COVID-19 test?
Employees do not need insurance to get tested through UC San Diego Health. The test is at no-cost for employees.
Are non-employees who come to campus required to be tested?
Depending on a non-employee’s relationship with the University, there may be requirements for testing if they are not fully vaccinated.
Non-employees have access to the low or no cost testing UC San Diego Health offers. Cost is dependent upon affiliation with UC San Diego.
If I’m working remotely, am I required to test?
No. Only employees who are reporting to work on campus or any other physical UC San Diego worksite are required to test in accordance with Campus COVID-19 Testing Program (PPM 516-31).