Self-administered COVID-19 tests to replace observed testing
Starting Friday, the University will begin transitioning to self-administered, unobserved COVID-19 testing for authorized Harvard affiliates instead of the current practice of observed testing at designated campus facilities. The shift comes after approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will streamline screening for the students, faculty, and other personnel authorized to return to campus for the fall semester. The University has established testing protocols for these individuals, who include anyone living on campus, working in residential housing or elsewhere on campus, or authorized to be on campus four hours or more per week. The transition to unobserved testing is part of the University’s ongoing efforts to monitor the state of the virus throughout the community and prevent, to the greatest extent possible, outbreaks of the highly transmissible coronavirus. “Our plans for the fall semester include having a limited number of students and personnel on campus, with courses being taught...