SUNY To Require Weekly Coronavirus Tests For On-Campus Students

NEW YORK — Students returning to SUNY campuses for the spring semester will be required to be tested for the new coronavirus every week.

The new testing requirement is in addition to pre-screening and quarantining of all students as they come back to their schools before classes start Feb. 1.

"As our campuses are beginning their spring semesters, we are both excited for our students, and also aware of the challenges that still lie ahead because of COVID," said SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras.

He said the system has developed comprehensive reopening plans that put the health and safety of its students, staff and faculty first.

"And, it is the reason we have already increased the frequency of testing on our campuses, and why we will continue to adapt to the ever-changing circumstances, like new strains and higher levels of cases," Malatras said.

All students returning to their campuses will have to be tested for the new coronavirus upon arrival and complete a seven-day quarantine.

There will then be mandatory weekly testing for 100 percent of on-campus students and students enrolled for in-person classes. There will be random surveillance testing for off-campus students by 10 percent increments each week.

The mandatory weekly testing will also apply to staff and faculty.

Masks will also be required even when socially distanced, SUNY said.

The 100 percent weekly testing requirement will be revisited, school officials said, depending on the positivity rate in the state and regions throughout the course of the semester.