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Information on COVID Exit Testing for Students, Departure Registration and Other End-of-Semester Updates

By Duke Today Staff

Dear students,

The semester is quickly drawing to a close and we know that many of you are finalizing plans to leave Duke and Durham for Winter Break. We are writing today to share important updates including sharing your departure plans with us if you’re on campus or in the Durham area, and how to complete a COVID-19 exit test before you leave. Additionally, we want to highlight valuable health and wellness information for Winter Break. 

Please read this message carefully and note the required actions, whether you are living on campus or elsewhere in Durham this fall. 

Also, note that all plans for the spring semester are subject to change on short notice based on local and national public health conditions.

 

TELL US YOUR DEPARTURE PLANS — ALL STUDENTS

We know that many of our students are studying remotely this fall, all around the world. For all students who are living on campus at Duke or off campus in the Durham area, you must complete this short form to notify the university of your departure from Durham. Completing this survey helps us coordinate any necessary health screening prior to your planned travel and removes you from the surveillance testing pool until January. 

It is important that you complete the form so we can provide health and testing services to those remaining on campus or in the Durham area. Please note that any intentional falsification of this form may result in a referral to the Office of Student Conduct. 

In addition to this email, you will also receive a link to the form through Duke's text message notification system. You are welcome to fill out the form as soon as you know your plans, but at the latest, it must be completed by NOVEMBER 13. We understand that plans may change, so if you need to update your response, you can do so by visiting the same link again via this email or the link sent to you via text.

When you leave Durham, plan not to return to campus until January.

In other words, if you are leaving Durham in the next few weeks (e.g., to visit family or friends, for mental health reasons), this will serve as your official departure for break and you will not be able to return to campus until spring semester. For public health reasons, we need to minimize back-and-forth travel from Duke students to and from other locations around the US and globe. Be sure to pack everything you need for break, including the materials you may need to finish your semester remotely.

 

EXIT TESTING — FOR THOSE WHO REQUIRE PROOF OF TESTING TO TRAVEL

We know that some of you may be traveling to states or countries that require proof of a negative COVID-19 test before you can travel. A few notes: 

  • Pay close attention to your state or country's requirements—some require proof of a negative result within a certain time period before your departure, or require a specific type of test. 
  • Note that regular surveillance testing will NOT fulfill this requirement. If you think you need a COVID-19 test for travel, please call Student Health as soon as possible to review your needs.

 

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE OR HAVE TO QUARANTINE BEFORE DEPARTURE 

Students who either test positive or are required to quarantine between now and the date they plan to leave Durham will have three options:

  • Students who already reside on campus may remain in Duke-provided facilities until you are approved to leave.
  • A family member may pick you up and drive you home; you should NOT use any form of public transportation during this time. 
  • You may drive yourself home; again, you should NOT use public transportation during this time. 

If you test positive, we will work with you to develop a strategy that is right for you. 

 

MOVE OUT — STUDENTS CURRENTLY LIVING ON CAMPUS 

All students must be out of their residence halls by 12:00 p.m. on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, unless you have been approved to stay on campus over break. If you are not returning to campus in the spring (or if you suspect that you may not return), you should take all your belongings with you; any items left behind will be considered abandoned and will be donated or discarded. If you are returning to campus in the spring, you do not have to move out entirely, but be sure to take all valuable items with you: money, visas, passports, electronics, essential school materials, medications and items of sentimental or emotional value. All students must turn in their room keys by 12:00 p.m. on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 to the HRL West Office (for residents of main West Campus), HRL East Office (for residents of East Campus), 300 Swift Office (for residents of Swift Quad), or our satellite locations (Washington Duke, Avana, and Blue Light, respectively). You will NOT be able to return to your room for any reason over the break. 

 

DURING WINTER BREAK — ALL STUDENTS 

We hope that you stay healthy and well over the break. A few reminders: 

  • Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth; do not share your mask with others.
  • Limit your circle of contacts, and pay attention to who your contacts interact with and who in your circle is particularly at risk to complications from COVID-19 (e.g. those 65 or older, or people with underlying health conditions). 
  • Avoid higher risk settings such as indoor gatherings, places where physical distancing is not possible, activities that involve increased respiratory effort, or places or activities where people may be maskless
  • Practice physical distancing
  • If you haven’t already, get vaccinated for the flu
  • Wash your hands regularly, and if that is not possible, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Rest and spend time doing things that give you life. It’s been a tough semester!

If you are away from Durham for the break and develop symptoms and/or test positive, you should notify your local health department and notify Student Health through the SymMon app. Please note that if you test positive for COVID over break, you should submit that result by sending an email to dshcheckin@duke.eduprior to your return in January. This will assist with your re-entry testing process as well. 

If you are staying on campus over the break, we will share more information with you soon about life on campus, including more details on campus office hours, dining, and surveillance testing over the break. 

 

PLANNING AHEAD: SPRING 2021 OPENING — ALL STUDENTS 

All students, whether returning to Durham or arriving for the first time, must participate in entry testing before gaining access to campus. Entry testing for graduate and professional students will begin on January 9 in Penn Pavilion unless otherwise noted by your school. Entry testing for undergraduate students will begin January 15 in Penn Pavilion. Residence halls will also open on January 15. 

More information about move-in will be shared directly with students with an on-campus assignment for Spring 2021. Details about scheduling an entry test for January will also be shared with all students in the coming weeks. Similar to the fall semester, all students are required to sequester in their residence until a negative test result is received via Duke MyChart. To decrease the likelihood of a positive test, we strongly encourage you to self-isolate for 14 days before returning to campus and to minimize contact with others during the break. 

Again, please remember that all plans for the spring semester are subject to change on short notice based on local and national public health conditions.

Thank you for all that each of you has done this fall to protect the health of your fellow students, of Duke staff and faculty and the Durham community. Let's keep it up these last few weeks of the semester and finish strong. We are all in this together. 

Go Duke,

 

John Blackshear
Dean of Students

John Vaughn, M.D. 
Director of Student Health Services