As the Thanksgiving break approaches, the university administration urged students on October 21 to get tested for COVID-19 and get a flu shot before traveling. PCR saliva test sites and hours are available on Be sure and appointments can be made via Time2Test. While some students choose to get tested for COVID-19 before leaving the Charlottesville area, others cited some level of comfort while traveling given the current case Levels.
The university has this semester with the prevalence of vaccinations and Booster recordings. Anticipating vacation travel, students will weigh vaccination status, potential for COVID-19 exposure, and concerns about transmission when deciding whether to get tested before leaving the premises.
In preparation for the break, interim dean Julie Carrucio sent a university-wide email on October 21 advising students to consider taking a COVID-19 test before leaving if they plan to leave the campus, to visit family or friends. Saliva tests are available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the East Gate of Scott Stadium. University-administered tests will be closed from November 24th and will reopen on November 29th in the Emmet / Ivy Garage.
Caruccio mentioned two reasons for getting a pre-departure test: public transport requirements and concern for the well-being of others.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, people can be fully vaccinated fly domestically without receiving a negative COVID-19 test result before the flight. However, select airlines may still require proof of a negative COVID-19 test. All international flights A negative test result is required when entering the USA – and with many exits.
To help spread the COVID-19 to communities outside of Charlottesville, U.Va. Health produces and Infographic detailed information on COVID-19 safe travel preparations – including situations where proof of vaccination, test requirements and available test times are required.
This manual is part of U.Va. Health’s prevalence testing program that requires students not vaccinated against COVID-19 to perform weekly viral PCR saliva tests by university hospitals BeSAFE saliva test program. The university first introduced a fall 2020 prevalence testing program to identify and contain the spread of COVID-19 in the university community by quickly identifying positive cases in symptomatic and asymptomatic carriers.
Some students raised concerns about the spread of COVID-19 as students travel to the upcoming Thanksgiving break, which begins Wednesday.
The sophomore engineering student Adam Dirting will be spending Thanksgiving with the extended family. Dirting said he was considering getting a test before Wednesday to make sure he wasn’t passing the virus to at-risk or unvaccinated loved ones.
“My father’s side is less aware of the security measures required to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, so I’m a little concerned about this aspect,” said Dirting. “But other than that, everyone else in my family that I’ll see is vaccinated. Lots of people are older, which is worrying. “
Sophomore sophomore Mary Celentano said COVID-19 wasn’t on her mind as much this semester compared to previous semesters, adding that she is less prone to getting through U.Va to get tested. Health before departure, as she only wants to see her immediate family during the break.
“I’m not particularly concerned [about returning home] because I haven’t been exposed to COVID-19 at all, ”said Celentano. “I think this semester has been a lot less stressful in that regard than last year.”
Despite her lack of exposure to the virus this semester, Celentano said she’ll likely take one of the quick tests she bought earlier in the semester before returning home for Thanksgiving.
Expecting to be with the extended family for Thanksgiving, sophomore Lela Trainer said she wanted to make sure she was as safe as possible – she hopes to capitalize on the COVID-19 resources the university is denying Students offers.
“I’ll definitely take a test here before I even go to my grandparents here in Charlottesville, just because U.Va. makes it available, ”said coach. “I don’t see any good reason not to get tested just to be extra sure.”
Students are encouraged to plan ahead so they can receive their test results before the Thanksgiving break begins.
Students who want to be tested can arrange a test with Be sure. Walk-in tests before November 23 will take place Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the East Gate of Scott Stadium and on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Emmet / Ivy car park. After Thanksgiving, the walk-in tests only take place in the Emmet / Ivy garage.
