Testing Requirements

As of January 24, 2022

  • Any employee, regardless of vaccination status, who has symptoms while at work should be tested as soon as possible and will be paid for time away to be tested without the need to use Emergency Paid Leave or sick leave.

    • 90-Day Testing Exemption after COVID-19 diagnosis: Employees are not required to test for the 90 days following the date of a COVID-19 diagnosis or positive test. See section below for details. 

  • Any employee who is unvaccinated or who has been vaccinated but has not recieved a booster shot that has been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case should be tested 5 days after their exposure. They will be paid for time away to be tested without the need to use Emergency Paid Leave or sick leave. 

  • Testing is on the honor system and it is a requirement of employment. Employees who are not fully vaccinated are required to test weekly. In most cases, this can be accomplished outside of the employee's work schedule given the availability of tests through, MTest, the State of Minnesota, or low-cost retail kits that can be taken at home. 

  • You can also take advantage of the following campus-based testing options: 

  • If you buy a test at a drug store, you can pay with your University medical Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account dollars. 

  • You do not need to share your test results or details with your supervisor or anyone at the University. 

  • The University of Minnesota employee health plan currently covers the full cost of COVID-19 related claims, including testing. 

  • Information on faculty and staff testing requirements is available on Get the Vax 2.0.

Hourly employees who are not fully vaccinated and need to test weekly

  • Rapid COVID-19 tests may be available at work: Some units can provide a rapid test if you want to complete a test during work hours. Talk with local human resources staff or your supervisor to see if rapid tests are available. You will receive 15 minutes of paid time to complete a rapid test at work. Note: The test is intended to be used twice over 2-3 days with at least 24 hours, and no more than 36 hours, between tests. If your unit has rapid tests available and you choose to test elsewhere, you will need to use sick, vacation, or unpaid time off to get tested.

  • Other testing options: You will be paid for the time it takes to complete the test (including travel and wait time). As previously communicated, please work with your supervisor to coordinate taking time off to complete the test.

  • At-home tests can be ordered through the COVID-19 Vault Saliva Testing at Home program from MDH. Order a COVID-19 saliva test kit online at no cost and have it delivered to your home. You can get up to two test kits at the same time, with no limit to the number of test kits you can order over time. 

Salaried employees who need to test weekly

At-home tests can be ordered through the COVID-19 Vault Saliva Testing at Home program from MDH.  Order a COVID-19 saliva test kit online at no cost and have it delivered to your home. You can get up to two test kits at the same time, with no limit to the number of test kits you can order over time. 

90-day testing exemption following COVID-19 diagnosis

Employees are not required to test for COVID-19 for the 90 days following a positive COVID-19 test, or diagnosis by a licensed healthcare provider.

Proof of a positive test (including date of test) or documentation of a COVID-19 diagnosis may be required to qualify for this testing exemption.

Learn more on the University's COVID-19 safety policy page.