Testing for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign families and households will now be free at the State Farm Center testing site through SHIELD CU. This change is part of a partnership effort that will make the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s COVID-19 saliva test more widely available and free to community members.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced yesterday that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a face covering or practice social distancing. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has indicated that it will be revising state guidance to align with these changes.
As the State of Illinois moves towards the anticipated June 11 transition to Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois COVID-response, many of our own COVID-19 rules and policies will remain in place.
At this point, all students, faculty and staff who live in University Housing or are participating in any on-campus activities are still required to be up-to-date on their on-campus COVID-19 testing. This is currently in place even for people who are fully vaccinated. As previously announced, this will change for the Fall 2021 semester.
View immediate university changes in this message to students, faculty and staff.
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has announced that there are COVID-19 appointments available in our community for individuals 12-15. Anyone 12 years of age or older is now able to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are available to individuals age 18 and older. Parental consent is needed for anyone under the age of 18.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker recently announced that the State of Illinois will move from Phase 4 to a Bridge to Phase 5 (Bridge Phase) on Friday, May 14. The biggest implication of this new guidance for the university community is that this expands capacity for events and spaces.
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has announced that there are COVID-19 appointments available in our community, and all faculty, staff and students are eligible.
Please note mandatory testing requirements are still in place even for individuals who are fully vaccinated. A verified Vaccination Record Card will not be used to replace mandatory COVID-19 testing until the upcoming Fall 2021 semester.
I am so very grateful for your efforts this past year as we worked together to maximize the safety of our university community. This will be my last weekly COVID-19 update message of the academic year. During the summer, we will plan to communicate with our university community directly as new announcements arise. Please feel free to direct any COVID-19 questions to covidwellness@illinois.edu.
We are updating Summer 2021 on-campus testing locations and hours.
Beckman, CRCE, Illini Union and State Farm Center testing locations will be open for Summer 2021 with updated hours beginning May 17. View the testing locations page for the full list of hours.
We are sharing study locations for students.
Study spaces will be available from Reading Day on Thursday, May 6 through the end of Final Exam Week on Friday, May 14.
We are sharing information about updated university travel guidelines for faculty and staff.
The university is issuing new travel guidelines based on information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State of Illinois.
We are encouraging members of the community to be vaccinated if and when they are able to do so.
All University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign faculty, staff and students are now eligible for vaccine appointments. You can also use vaccinefinder.org to look for available appointments nearby. If possible, you are encouraged to return to the same location for your second dose. But if that is not possible, you will be able to get your second dose at any state mass vaccination site.
We are encouraging you to upload your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to the MyMcKinley Portal if you are fully vaccinated.
The university plans to use verified proof of vaccination to replace regular COVID-19 testing for compliance and building access for Fall 2021. Until this goes into effect, all university COVID-19 testing requirements will remain.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Jones
Chancellor
The university is issuing new travel guidelines based on information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State of Illinois. Please see the message below for the updated travel guidance and requirements from Illinois Human Resources. This information is also available on the travel page of the university’s COVID-19 website.
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has announced that there are COVID-19 appointments available in our community, and all faculty, staff and students are eligible.
Please note mandatory testing requirements are still in place even for individuals who are fully vaccinated. A verified Vaccination Record Card will not be used to replace mandatory COVID-19 testing until the upcoming Fall 2021 semester.
Study spaces will be available from Reading Day on Thursday, May 6 through the end of Final Exam Week on Friday, May 14.
Spring 2021 Final Exam Week Study Spaces
Please see this website for the full list of buildings, rooms, details and times they will be available.
Students must be up-to-date on their COVID-19 testing schedule to enter university facilities. These spaces will be arranged for social distancing, and, of course, face coverings will continue to be required in university facilities. Please disinfect your study area when you leave. Furniture may not be moved in the rooms.
We are planning to allow a COVID-19 vaccination record verified by McKinley to replace testing for the Fall 2021 semester.
For the Fall 2021 semester, the university plans to use an individual’s verified proof of being fully vaccinated (defined as 14 days after final dose) to replace regular COVID-19 testing for compliance and building access. Individuals who do not submit vaccination records will continue to be required to participate in the COVID-19 on-campus testing program.
We are reminding students, faculty and staff to maintain their regular testing schedule and follow COVID-19 safety protocols.
Mandatory testing requirements are still in place for individuals who are fully vaccinated. Continue to check the testing locations page or your Safer Illinois app before testing at your usual location.
We are encouraging members of the community to be vaccinated if and when they are able to do so.
All University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign faculty, staff and students are now eligible for vaccine appointments. You can also use vaccinefinder.org to look for available appointments nearby. If possible, you are encouraged to return to the same location for your second dose. But if that is not possible, you will be able to get your second dose at any state mass vaccination site.
We are sharing updated summer camps guidance.
To ensure that our university camps are inclusive and welcoming for all campers throughout the state, we are not requiring proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test for campers. We will still abide by all the state guidelines for camps, and we are confident we can maximize safety even with this shift in guidance.
We are working to with the NIH and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center to understand COVID transmission.
Undergraduate and graduate students ages 18-26 who have not been vaccinated can enroll in a study to help understand the effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine in reducing the spread of COVID-19. If enrolled, you’ll be paid up to $997 and will receive the vaccine.
We are offering alternative COVID-19 testing for individuals observing Ramadan.
If you are fasting during Ramadan and concerned about producing a saliva sample for COVID-19 testing, you can request a nasal swab test. Faculty/staff should contact the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885. Students should call McKinley Health Center at 217-244-5661. Please state that you are requesting the nasal swab test because you are fasting to observe Ramadan. The testing option will be available from April 12 – May 12.
I am very grateful for your continued efforts as we work to maximize the safety of our university community. Please feel free to direct questions to covid-19@illinois.edu.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Jones
Chancellor