August 7, 2020
Greetings. Many of you are now in New Haven or are on your way. I look forward to meeting you if I have not met you already. We have worked hard this summer to make our campus safe and to prepare for a new academic year. While it will be an atypical year, it should be an exciting and innovative one.
I am writing to let you know about safety and legal protocols for your arrival in Connecticut and at Yale. While these may strike you in different ways, these guidelines are intended to protect you and our entire community. We take this virus seriously and ask you to do the same; our lives and well-being are at stake. Most of us have lost someone (one staff member lost five members of her extended family and another three; none lived in New Haven) or had family members laid off or furloughed (including my own family). COVID-19 has altered our lives. Let me begin by reminding you of the testing requirements that Yale requires.
Yale Testing Guidelines
Prior to arrival to campus (New Haven)
The university’s pre-arrival testing requirements, which follow, apply to all graduate and professional students.
- All graduate and professional students are strongly encouraged, but not required, to have a viral (PCR) test before arriving on campus.
- The university will reimburse the cost of the pre-arrival viral (PCR) test up to $120. You can be reimbursed by submitting proof of payment to the YDS Business Office.
- If the pre-arrival test is positive, seek medical advice and isolate in your “home” location for at least 10 days and at least 24 hours following resolution of a fever, if present. Students with a positive test should not travel to New Haven but should begin their studies remotely.
Upon arrival to campus (New Haven)
- All students arriving on campus or already on campus must have a viral (PCR) test through the Yale COVID-19 screening program prior to the start of the fall semester. Students will receive an email with a timeline and instructions on how to schedule their tests.
- Students who have remained in the area and were tested before July 13 in accordance with the university research reopening must have a repeat test within 14 days of the start of the fall semester.
- All students must quarantine in their residences until a negative arrival test result is received.
- Additionally, students arriving from one of the states included in the State of Connecticut Travel Advisory must quarantine for a total of 14 days upon arrival, regardless of test results. Keep in mind that the states on the Connecticut Travel Advisory list are updated regularly. Failure to abide by this quarantine could result in a $1,000 fine from the state (see below).
- Access to the Quad will be given after you have completed your training and tested negatively. All doors will remain locked. You will need to use your ID to swipe the reader near the door to enter. We will authorize your ID for entrance once you have completed your testing.
Ongoing screening
- Students in high-density dormitory housing (Helen Hadley Hall and Harkness Hall) are required to be tested twice per week throughout the semester; these students will receive an email in August with a full description of the testing program and instructions on how to schedule testing.
- Students who do not live in high-density dormitory housing are not required to be retested but may obtain additional testing on a voluntary basis through the university testing program, up to one time per week, especially if they have concerns about exposure.
- Students who have questions about the advisability and frequency of additional asymptomatic testing may call the COVID Campus Resource Line, which is staffed by health care professionals, at 203-432-6604.
Connecticut Travel Guidelines
If you are arriving from a state within the U.S., you may need to self-quarantine. The state of Connecticut requires individuals travelling to and from high-incidence states to self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival. The list of states changes so you need to consult the state website for details. This does not apply to travelers who are in Connecticut for less than 24 hours, e.g., a family member who drops you off. Here are a couple of key points:
- All arriving from the affected states are required to complete a Connecticut Travel Health Form on-line. Not completing the form or not observing the quarantine restrictions may result in a $1,000 fine. Yale will not cover fines since this is a state requirement, not a University requirement. Please go on-line and complete the form.
- Individuals required to undergo testing when arriving on campus may leave quarantine for their required tests but should return promptly to quarantine.
- After receiving a negative test result from the arrival test, graduate students from high-incidence states need to continue to self-quarantine in your Yale housing or apartments.
If you need to access this information in the future, you will find it posted on-line:
Health and Safety Guidelines: covid19.yale.edu/health-safety-guidelines
Travel Guidelines: covid19.yale.edu/travel-advisory-states-requirement
Finally, let me ask all of you to make social-distancing practices part of your lifestyle: wear a cloth face-covering when you are out of your apartment or home, keep six feet of distance from others, and wash your hands regularly.
We can have an enjoyable and productive year, but we will all need to protect ourselves and one another. Let’s take these steps and start the year smoothly and safely.
Sincerely,
Greg Sterling
Gregory E. Sterling
The Reverend Henry L. Slack Dean
Lillian Claus Professor of New Testament