Testing Protocols

What You Need to Know Now

Information for changes to employees' COVID-19 testing requirements and schedules over winter break have been announced. Learn more and use this graphic as a reference. Dates for January appointments will open by 12/21/20.
Faculty and staff can find information about Return to Work protocols, including quarantine and negative test requirements, in the Return to Campus Guidance and the Information About COVID-19 Testing at WPI (PDF) has all the information employees need to understand testing processes and protocols.
Students can learn more about requirements below and in the Return to Campus Student Checklist.
Students who are symptomatic will be tested by WPI Heath Services; symptomatic employees should contact their physician for care and testing.
We've added a simple, secure Symptom Tracker to the WPI Mobile app and the WPI website that most members of the WPI community will use daily to report any symptoms before they come onto campus. See below for more details.

Testing Details

Pre-Arrival Testing

All students moving into WPI residence halls and fraternity/sorority houses must take a COVID-19 test before arriving to campus and follow Massachusetts travel guidelines. See the Return to Campus Student Checklist.
Routine Testing
All students living on or near campus will participate in the routine testing program.

On-campus students and fraternity/sorority members in corridor-style housing and student athletes will be tested two times per week.

All other students will be tested once per week.

Testing frequencies may change based on community testing results and public health trends.

All students living in the immediate vicinity of campus who are taking classes remotely will also be subject to testing and have received additional information.

The initial onboarding test will take place upon arrival to campus. Students will receive a communication with this testing date.

All employees and contract workers who will be on campus will participate in the routine testing program.

Employees and contract workers who are working on campus will be tested once per week. Selected employees and contract workers who have high contact with students will be tested two times per week.

Employees and contract workers currently working on campus will begin their routine testing prior to student move-in (mid-August).

Employees and contract workers who are working in residence halls are required to complete testing before Resident Advisors and Community Advisors move in (August 15 and 16).

All employees and contract workers returning to work on campus after August 17 will be required to begin their routine testing on their first day of arrival. After your test, you will need to continue working remotely until your test results come back; you must have a negative result before returning to campus.

Employees who continue to work remotely and do not come to campus at any point will not be required to be tested.

Information About COVID-19 Testing at WPI (PDF) has all the information employees need to understand our testing processes and protocols.

Harrington Auditorium Routine Testing Hours:

Sunday 10am-1:30pm, 2:30pm-5pm - by Appointment Only, 5-6pm "Make-up" hour

Monday 10am-1:30pm, 2:30pm-5pm - by Appointment Only, 5-6pm "Make-up" hour

Wednesday 5:50am-10am and 11am- 1pm by Appointment Only, 1-2pm "Make-up" hour

Tuesday 10am-1:30pm, 2:30pm-5pm - by Appointment Only, 5-6pm "Make-up" hour

Thursday 10am-1:30pm, 2:30pm-5pm - by Appointment Only, 5-6pm "Make-up" hour

If you are experiencing symptoms at any time, do not get tested at Harrington.

Fill out your symptom tracker, and follow those instructions.

Schedule a COVID test
Symptomatic Testing
Students who report COVID-like symptoms will be tested by Health Services. This cost will be billed to insurance.

Employees who report COVID-like symptoms should work with their PCP on whether they should be tested. This testing would be billed to the employee’s insurance. Following WPI's Return to Work protocols, if you were experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms only, you will need both a negative COVID-19 PCR test and a note from a healthcare provider clearing you to return to work.

Any community members who test positive through a clinic or other provider other than WPI’s testing partners or who are identified as a close contact of someone outside of WPI should report their status and the results of any COVID tests via the symptom tracker (see below).

WPI Symptom Tracker

We've added a simple, secure Symptom Tracker to the WPI Mobile app and the WPI website that every member of the WPI community who will be working, taking classes, or participating in meetings or activities on campus will need to use daily to report any symptoms before they come on to campus.

Find out more about the WPI Symptom Tracker.

Student Toolkit

Many resources are available to help students find the most accurate and updated information about the back-to-campus new normal, testing protocols, and what to do if you think you've been exposed to or have COVID-19. The following PDFs offer information students can use to answer a range of questions.

Students—What You Need to Do For the Back-to-Campus New Normal

Students—Instructions for COVID-19 Testing at WPI

Students—After Your COVID-19 Test-What Comes Next

Students—Close Contact with Someone Tested Positive for COVID-19

Students—I've Tested Positive for COVID-19-Now What

Students—Routine Testing Process Overview

As part of our efforts to support the health and safety of the campus community, WPI has developed a comprehensive COVID-19 testing program for students, faculty, and staff who plan to come to campus.

Part of that program is that everyone who is coming onto campus for classes, to work, for sports or any activity during A- and B-Term will need routine, ongoing testing. The Broad Institute (rhymes with road), a Cambridge-based biomedical and genomic organization, is managing that ongoing testing. You will need to register with the Broad to access the portal to review your test results.

How to Set Up Your Broad Account

Winter Break COVID-19 Testing Information for Employees

WPI's COVID-19 testing schedules and requirements are being adjusted over the break between terms and the employees; winter break.

Anyone within the following groups will be required to continue with routine COVID-19 testing on campus and must schedule each appointment; walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

Employees and researchers continuing to work on campus December 12 - 22
*Employees essential to vital campus operations over the winter break December 23 - January 4
*Specifically designated researchers required to work on campus December 23 - January 4 (or later)

*If you are not sure if you belong category 2 or 3, check with your supervisor. If you are in one of these categories, you will be tested once a week during this time, regardless of previous testing routine. All employees are encouraged to speak with their supervisors to determine actual return dates.

Employees who will continue to work remotely and do not come to campus at all are not required to have routine COVID-19 testing.

Read this message for additional information about onboarding information for employees who will remain off campus during the winter break from December 23 and returning January 4 or later. Look at this graphic for a reference.

Additional adjustments to our operations may be needed based on updated guidance and public health trends. We recommend you check back regularly for the latest updates.