COVID-19 testing plans finalized for employees

With the guidance and expertise of internal and external public health experts, Clemson officials announced recently the procedures and guidelines for testing University employees prior to their return to the workplace. The overarching priority of the University’s reopening plan remains the health and safety of the Clemson community. As previously announced, all University employees, including student employees, must obtain a COVID-19 test result before returning to campus.

Accepted methods of testing include a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test via nasal, throat or saliva taken within 10 days prior to reporting to campus, or positive serologic antibody tests obtained within 40 days.

While there is no way to guarantee the entire community returns to campus COVID-free, population testing will limit active cases on campus and provide a baseline of incidence in the community. This pandemic has evolved rapidly in the past few months and weeks, and the below guidelines for employee return are in effect until otherwise altered or amended, and any changes will be communicated as needed.

TESTING REQUIREMENTS

• Each faculty and staff member must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR or positive antibody test prior to return to regular on-site work at any Clemson facility.
• Employees with acceptable test results are clear to come onto Clemson campuses or facilities if and when their supervisor approved their physical presence/access to a campus or facility.
• Faculty and staff who have yet to be tested should ask their supervisor when they need to be physically present on Clemson campuses or facilities and plan to be PCR tested within 10 days prior to returning to on-site work.
• Employees who have already participated in University-provided testing at NewSpring, and received a negative COVID-19 test do not need to take a second test.
• The negative PCR test requirement applies to graduate students, teaching assistants, student workers and any other individual REQUIRED to be on campus regularly.

TESTING AVAILABILITY

• In collaboration with the Medical University of South Carolina, Clemson will provide multiple days of testing availability in the parking lot at NewSpring Church just west of main campus. In an effort to coordinate the large number of tests to be administered, employees will be asked to sign up for a testing window within 10 days of their required return to campus.
• Testing dates follow below. All times 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. (times and dates subject to change):

• • Aug. 31 – Sept. 2
  • Sept. 7, 8, 9
  • Sept. 14, 15, 16

• Employees may register for a specific time slot HERE, limiting the number of individuals being tested at one time.
• For non-main-campus employees, MUSC has expanded mobile testing locations around the state, and an updated list of those locations is available HERE.
• Those being tested at any site other than the NewSpring location will be required to upload their results into Clemson’s Test Result Upload Tool.

SUBMISSION OF TEST RESULTS

Results from faculty, staff and applicable students who have tests administered at the NewSpring location will be reported automatically to the University, and positive results will initiate an automated process to notify administrative areas of the University to begin cleaning, access protocols and contact tracing.

For those tested at the NewSpring location who are awaiting results, please call 843-985-8888 or email of drivethruresults@musc.edu.

For any test not performed at the near-site testing facility at NewSpring, employees must upload test results to the Test Result Upload Tool.

ACCESS TO CAMPUS FACILITIES

Beginning Aug. 12, instructors will be able to access their classrooms to physically examine teaching technologies. More information about these open house opportunities will be provided directly to faculty.

All instructors delivering blended learning classes are encouraged to use their assigned classrooms during some or all of the initial period of online-only instruction, from Aug. 19 through Sept. 18.

All instructors must have obtained a negative COVID-19 PCR test or positive antibody test prior to entering classrooms.

All other employees should not return to on-site work unless requested to do so by their supervisor.

Employees with concerns or questions about their physical presence on campuses or facilities should seek guidance from their supervisor. Supervisors should seek the advice of their supervisors and Human Resources if they have questions about how to manage an employee’s concern.

MEDICAL INFORMATION
Faculty and staff members who believe they may have been exposed or are ill with the virus should review and follow the protocols shared on Clemson’s COVID-19 Medical Guidance.

Employees who have received a positive COVID-19 test result should follow the guidance set forth on the University’s COVID-19 Medical Guidance page.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to review up-to-date information on the University’s Healthy Clemson: United as Tigers COVID-19 information website.