Upcoming Covid testing changes at MIT

Highlights

• As of June 17, MIT is ending observed PCR testing through the MIT Medical trailer.
• Beginning July 1, unobserved PCR testing will be available only to community members who are experiencing Covid symptoms.
• A new Covid test kit will be required for unobserved testing; current kits will no longer be valid.
• The new test kit will be available for pick-up and drop-off at MIT Medical as of July 1.
• You should continue to report symptoms through Covid Pass, and will need to do so to use the new test.

To the members of the MIT community,

More than two years have passed since Covid-19 entered our lives. During that time, we have learned just as much about our own resolve and resilience as we have about the virus. Conditions surrounding Covid, its treatment, and its mitigation are evolving, and so too is MIT’s response. As part of that evolution, we write today to announce modifications to MIT’s testing program.

With at-home rapid antigen tests now plentiful, readily available at pharmacies and from the federal government, and covered by MIT insurance plans:

• MIT will no longer offer observed PCR testing through the MIT Medical trailer as of June 17.
• Beginning July 1, we will offer unobserved PCR testing only to community members who are experiencing Covid symptoms.

These updates to our testing program mean that if you experience Covid symptoms as of July 1, you should attest and report your situation within Covid Pass. Once you do, the app will allow you to scan in a self-administered Covid test. Test kit pick-up and drop-off will be at MIT Medical. A new Covid test kit will be required, as MIT’s current test kits will no longer be accepted as of July 1.

We can all be proud of MIT’s response to the pandemic, including the decision to offer extensive Covid testing to all members of our community for more than two years. It’s important to note that, even when MIT’s testing requirements ended during the spring semester, those who needed to test continued to do so, either through the Institute’s testing program or via at-home rapid antigen tests. Because of this experience, we are confident that all of you will continue to attest when you are symptomatic, and take proper action — as you’ve been doing for months.

We will continue to monitor the pandemic, and if needed, we will adjust MIT’s Covid policies and procedures in accordance with our understanding of the science and the Institute’s operational needs.

In closing, we want to take a moment to again thank each of you for your resilience, patience, and your unwavering dedication to MIT’s mission throughout this pandemic. Every member of the MIT community has done their part to keep classes, research, and operations running during this unprecedented time. We hope that you will take time to relax and recharge during the upcoming summer months.

Sincerely,

Ramona Allen, Vice President for Human Resources

Cynthia Barnhart, Provost

Suzy Nelson, Vice Chancellor and Dean for Student Life

Melissa Nobles, Chancellor

Glen Shor, Executive Vice President and Treasurer

Cecilia Stuopis, MD, Medical Director, MIT Medical

Ian A. Waitz, Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education

Maria T. Zuber, Vice President for Research