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Teamwork brings new COVID-19 self-testing to UCLA

 

COVID-19 testing vending machines at UCLA

A recent collaboration among various campus departments, including UCLA Housing & Hospitality and UCLA Events & Transportation, has brought a new and convenient way for UCLA students, faculty and staff to transition from in-person testing to self-administered COVID-19 testing.

In support of the efforts to make self-testing kits available in 12 campus vending machines, along with several test-kit distribution centers, team members in UCLA Dining are assembling test kits, picking up test kits from the collection bins and transporting them to the lab. Team members in UCLA Vending are keeping the machines stocked and trouble-shooting technical issues. E&T marketing designed the graphics for the vending machines and collection bins, while H&H marketing and communications has worked to raise awareness of this new system to the campus community through  BruinPosts, e-blasts and other avenues.

Mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing for all UCLA students, faculty and staff members who are coming to campus and other UCLA properties, regardless of vaccination status, resumed July 23, along with new indoor masking requirements. This includes those who were previously approved to opt out of testing.

Self-administered saliva-based test kits are conveniently located in more than a dozen COVID-19 test vending machines and distribution centers throughout campus. Anyone with an active BruinCard may retrieve up to two of these tests per week. A complimentary $2 credit is added to all active BruinCards on a weekly basis to be used to purchase these tests. These credits will not be valid at any other vending machines or for any other use.

This quick and easy test simply involves scanning the QR code this is assigned to the individual test, completing a brief survey, spitting into a funnel that drains into the tube, placing the closed tube in the plastic bag that is provided and closing the bag.

Once a test sample has been completed, it may be deposited in any of the adjacent collection bins. Test samples can be deposited Monday to Thursday between 6 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., and Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Test samples should be deposited within one hour of taking the test in order to maintain proper temperature. Individuals depositing test samples before 11 a.m. can expect results within 24 hours, while those depositing samples after 11 a.m. can expect results within 48 hours. Test samples should not be deposited between Friday at 2 p.m. and Monday at 6 a.m.

Those requiring in-person testing or who are unable to get a test kit from a vending machine or distribution center, as well as those who need help with testing for any other reason, are asked to go to 300 Bradley Hall for assistance.

For more information, visit the Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center website. Those with questions are encouraged to send an email to exposuremanagementteam@ashe.ucla.edu.

In addition, daily symptom monitoring is still required by Cal/OSHA for faculty, staff and student workers who are coming to campus and other UCLA properties, regardless of vaccination status.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and your dedication curbing COVID-19 on campus and in our communities. Those who have not yet been fully vaccinated are urged to do so as soon as possible for the safety of themselves and the community and to be in compliance with UC’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement.