Spring 2022 Arrival

BEFORE ARRIVAL

Complete Pre-Arrival Testing

Required if you are arriving on or after January 14, 2022.

Step 1: Claim your testing kit

Visit the Harvard University COVID-19 Pre-Arrival testing program page to register and claim your kit. Review the requirements for testing outlined below.

Color can provide pre-arrival testing for students who:

• Returning to on-campus housing for Spring 2022 on or after January 14, 2022 (if you live off-campus, you are welcome to test on campus when you return to the local area) 
• Currently in the U.S. (Due to regulations, Color can only ship tests within the US) 
• In a location where you can access a FedEx drop box 
• 18 years or older

Register and claim your kit
 

Color cannot provide pre-arrival testing for students who:

• Tested positive on a PCR test in the past 90 days.
• Live off-campus (you are welcome to test on campus when you return to the local area)

IMPORTANT: We encourage everyone to test before arriving on campus. If you do not meet the criteria for a Color Pre-Arrival test, see If you can’t get a pre-arrival test from Color.   

Step 2: Test based on your arrival date and return your kit. 

How to test: Harvard has partnered with Color, a health testing company, to administer the University’s testing procedures. Learn about testing. If you have any questions or need help with the logistics of testing, email testingquestions@fas.harvard.edu.

When to test: Use the table below to determine when you should test.

How to return your test kit: 

• Send kit back via FedEx – Monday through Friday during business hours.  
• Results will be displayed within 48-72 hours.  

Step 3: Take action based on your test results.

• If positive, isolate at home. Do not return to campus until discharged from isolation by HUHS contact tracers. You should expect to hear from the HUHS Contact Tracing Team within two to three days of receiving your positive test result. If you have received a positive result greater than five days ago outside the Color testing process and pending resolving symptoms and no fever for 24 hours, you are authorized to return to campus. Please report your test result to HUHS and a member of the team will remove you from the testing cadence for 90 days from your test positive date.
• If negative, keep your travel plans.  

If you can't get a pre-arrival test from Color

Step 1: Take whatever test is available where you are. 

• You can find a list of testing locations near you on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.
• If you are are currently outside of the U.S. you will need to follow the Harvard University travel guidance. Please contact your local department of health if you need help finding a testing location.
• If you are under 18, you should have received an email about pre-arrival testing on January 5 at 1:55 PM ET. If you did not or have questions, you should email testingquestions@fas.harvard.edu. 

Step 2: If you test positive, report your results. 

• If you receive a positive test result outside of Color, report it to HUHS.
• Do not return to campus until discharged from isolation from HUHS contact tracers. 
• You may continue to receive Color notifications, but you can ignore them. 

Step 3: If you test negative, keep your travel plans – no reporting required. 

• If you test negative you can travel to campus on the date you originally planned when you tested. 
• You do not need to report your results via Crimson Clear or to HUHS if you test negative. 

Questions about pre-arrival testing? Email testingquestions@fas.harvard.edu. 

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UPON ARRIVAL

Follow post-arrival guidelines

Step 1: Prepare an isolation comfort kit to bring with you or plan to purchase these items on your way to campus.

• acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) 
• Thermometer 
• Snacks 
• Any prescription medication you might need 
• Personal care items (cough drops, contact lens fluid, tissues) etc. 

Step 2: Minimize social contact until you receive 2 negative COVID PCR tests.

• Upon arrival to campus, take your first Color PCR test and your rapid antigen test (found in your room) the day you return. 
  • If you have a negative antigen test, you may attend class, masked
  • If you test positive on the antigen test, follow the Positive Antigen Test Protocol.
• Take your second Color PCR test 48 hours later
• You are able to take out trash, drop off tests, and get grab and go meals from the dining hall (pick-up only). Please return to your room to eat your meal.
• If you have been instructed not to test because you have tested positive within the past 90 days, you should not test and may move about campus freely, but you are required to mask indoors.
• DO NOT DO LAUNDRY
• No overnight guests until further notice

Step 3: Take precautions to avoid spreading or catching the virus. 

• After your first 2 negative PCR tests, follow the testing schedule on your Crimson Clear profile 
• Mask everywhere, including within your suite if you share space with others 
• Grab and go from the dining halls (pick-up only). Please return to your room to eat your meal.
• All students will have access to appropriate supplies for cleaning bathrooms. If you are responsible for cleaning your bathroom, review the bathroom cleaning guide.  

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