Testing Procedures for Students & Employees

We would like to bring to your attention that there have been changes to federal and state public health guidance. As of May 11, 2023, the federal Public Health Emergency has ended, and UC is implementing a systemwide COVID-19 vaccination opt-out program for UC students and employees. Consequently, COVID-19 staff support will end on 06/30/2023, and weekly COVID-19 testing is no longer be required on campus for students and employees who are compliant with the UC Vaccine Policy or have an approved exception or deferral.

The campus will continue to make available antigen test kits to faculty and staff using  the antigen kit request form. We would like to emphasize that these tests are provided for your protection and convenience. However, please note that they are limited due to the end of the federal Public Health Emergency. If you require COVID testing, it is recommended to use over-the-counter Antigen tests. PCR testing may be available through your primary care provider or at local clinics and pharmacies. We encourage you to test when you have symptoms or have exposure, before and after travel or attending events. 

PCR Testing: PCR testing may be available through your primary care provider or at local clinics and pharmacies.  To locate and schedule appointments at these sites, please visit: HTTPS://WWW.COVIDCLINIC.ORG or HTTPS://MYTURN.CA.GOV/TESTING.HTML

Students who have UCSHIP and GSHIP access are able to do PCR COVID testing on campus at no charge at UCR SHS.

Accessing the COVID Screening Check 

Employee report positive cases below:

SCREENINGCHECK.UCR.EDU 

 Students will be reporting into Point and Click (PnC) Please navigate to Point and Click.

PATIENT PORTAL 

PNC SOP REPORTING COVID-19 CASE

Testing Kits

Testing kits for antigen detection are currently available for faculty and staff members. 

• If you have symptoms, please stay home, use an at-home antigen test and contact your doctor or Student Health.
• To ensure equitable distribution, the kits will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Please take note of the following details for kit pickup:

• Hours: Tuesdays thru Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. The last pickup time is at 3:50 pm.
• Location: EH&S ; See Map.

REQUEST A KIT

Testing kits for antigen detection are currently available  for Students.

These COVID-19 tests are only for students that are currently uninsured and/or
have limited access to healthcare resources.

• If you have symptoms, please stay home, use an at-home antigen test and contact your doctor or Student Health.
• To ensure equitable distribution, the kits will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Please take note of the following details for kit pickup:

• Hours: Tuesdays thru Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. The last pickup time is at 3:50 pm.
• Location: EH&S ; See Map.

REQUEST A KIT

Coverage for COVID-19 Tests

UCOP has provided the latest coverage for COVID-19 tests. The information may be found on UCnet by following the link to the home page of each medical plan, or by visiting COVID-19 tests updates. Any updates to this document will also be posted to UCnet.

At-home OTC antigen tests

Non-Medicare plans will continue to cover up to 8 at-home over-the-counter (OTC) antigen tests per covered member monthly.

• CORE, UC Care, and UC Health Savings Plan participants need to (a) pay out-of-pocket for the test, (b) request reimbursement by completing Section 1 and Section 2 of the member claim form along with their signature. The Anthem Claims address is PO Box 60007, Los Angeles, CA 90060-0007. Do not submit claims for OTC COVID-19 test through the member portal or the Sydney mobile app as claims will not be processed correctly.
• Kaiser Permanente HMO plan members may obtain the tests through Kaiser pharmacies.
• UC Blue and Gold HMO plan members may obtain the tests from a Health Net in-network retail pharmacy at the pharmacy counters. 

PCR tests (Polymerase chain reaction) 

When ordered by physicians, all plans will cover these tests at the applicable plan benefit.

Coverage for COVID-19 Tests

Testing Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I report a positive test?

  How do I report my results?
  If you test positive please report your results immediately through the COVID Screening Check.

  Starting on 08/10/2023 reporting will be moving into Point and Click (PnC) Please navigate to Point and Click using the link more instructions to follow. 

  Video/ PDF

• Can I take time off to test?

  Can I take time off to test?
  Employees should work with their supervisor(s) for scheduling, and may use up to two hours of their regularly scheduled work hours to take a COVID-19 test, if necessary.

• What does it mean to "sequester' between COVID-19 tests?

  What does it mean to ‘sequester’ between COVID-19 tests? 
  Sequestering means to limit in-person interactions for a limited time. During a sequester period students should mostly stay in their own room, not attend events or gatherings, and only leave for essential activities such as: 
  •    Using the bathroom/shower
  •    Going to the dining hall, picking up meals, or accepting deliveries
  •    Solo outdoor exercise (walking, jogging, biking, etc.)
  •    Getting vaccinated or tested
  •    Doing laundry and picking up mail
  •    Working

Testing Requirements

UC Riverside will require COVID-19 testing for employees and students on campus during campus outbreaks, symptomatic, or with confirmed exposure to COVID-19. 

• Where else are COVID test available?

  Where else are COVID tests available?

  Local community testing options available; you can find locations and make appointments at:

  • HTTPS://WWW.COVIDCLINIC.ORG/
  • HTTPS://MYTURN.CA.GOV/TESTING.HTML
     
• What is Point and Click system?

  What is Point and Click system?

  • Closed system that only holds employee records that are provided by employee
  • Is the leading Electronic Health Records use by the UC system
  • Secure and HIPAA and FERPA compliant
  • Not connected to any existing medical records
  • Batch immunization administration module for large immunization clinics
  • Secure messaging to patients and staff
  • Ability to track and report immunization compliance
  • Additional fields to support faculty and staff patients

COVID-19 Protocols at a Glance

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS 

The chart below applies to:

• Students: Those living, learning, or working on campus at a UCR property at least one day a week.
• Employees: Staff, faculty, instructors, or third-party personnel working or teaching on campus or at a UCR property at least one day a week.

• Visitors and Guests: Members of the general public visiting campus or UCR facilities or attending events on campus; guests invited to campus for events or meetings.

For more information on each protocol, click the link in the left-hand column.

Note: Those who work in UCR Health clinic areas (including medical, dental, and nursing clinics) must follow COVID-19 protocols for healthcare settings.

However, those who work in both clinical and non-clinical settings must also comply with these campus protocols when outside of the health care environment.