MIT to restrict PCR testing to community members experiencing COVID symptoms, effective July 1
Effective July 1, MIT will no longer offer PCR testing to community members who are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, according to a COVID-19 update email sent to the MIT community June 7.
Additionally, beginning June 17, MIT will no longer offer observed PCR testing at the MIT Medical Trailer.
Vice President for Human Resources Ramona Allen, Provost Cynthia Barnhart PhD ’88, Vice Chancellor and Dean for Student LIfe Suzy Nelson, Chancellor Melissa Nobles, Executive Vice President and Treasurer Glen Shor, MIT Medical Director Cecilia Stuopis ’90, Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education Ian Waitz, and Vice President for Research Maria Zuber wrote in the email that MIT would no longer be offering these tests to any community members because community members can now receive at-home rapid antigen tests at pharmacies, from the federal government, and through MIT insurance plans.
After July 1, community members who do experience COVID-19 symptoms must attest and report their symptoms on COVID Pass in order to be able to scan a self-testing kit. These kits will be available for pick-up and drop-off at MIT Medical.
The email writes that a new test kit will be required, “as MIT’s current test kits will no longer be accepted as of July 1.”
Initially, MIT community members were required to submit two tests weekly in order to access campus. This requirement was relaxed to once-a-week testing Feb. 21 and completely removed March 14, though optional testing was made available to all community members prior to July 1.
The email adds that MIT will continue to monitor the pandemic and adjust policies “in accordance with our understanding of the science and the Institute’s operational needs.”