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Dear Members of the EIU Community,

Beginning Monday, July 18, Eastern Illinois University will no longer utilize the SHIELD system for COVID-19 surveillance testing. Starting on this date, those individuals required to participate in weekly Covid surveillance testing will be required to take self-administered rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. Employees may administer the test while working on campus (paid) or off-campus during their own time (unpaid).

The University will provide self-administered rapid antigen COVID-19 tests to students and employees who are unvaccinated, not fully vaccinated, or have not submitted their vaccination records. Individuals may acquire one free self-administered rapid antigen test kit per week by visiting any of the following on-campus locations:

• Booth Library (Circulation Desk)
• Housing and Dining Office (lower floor, MLK Jr. University Union)
• Health Education Resource Center (2201 Blair Hall)
• Facilities, Planning and Management (Central Stores)

Individuals may also use their own self-administered rapid antigen tests to fulfill this requirement. Individuals may place an order for free at-home self-administered rapid antigen COVID-19 tests at COVID.gov.

Beginning the week of July 18, EIU will send weekly testing reminders that will include information on how to certify you have completed a test as well as how to submit your test results online.

Vaccination continues to be the best and most effective way to protect our friends, colleagues and community members from Coronavirus.  Anyone who has not yet received a COVID-19 vaccination or booster is encouraged to do so. Vaccination locations can be found near campus or at regional clinics across the state. Information regarding obtaining a vaccine is available on the University’s COVID Hub.   Individuals also are strongly encouraged to obtain and upload proof of a booster vaccine when they become eligible.

Individuals will be removed from the mandatory testing program once their full COVID-19 vaccination status is verified. This is done by logging into PAWS with your EIU credentials, selecting the MyHealth Tab, and selecting “COVID Vaccination Verification Form.”

Students who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should contact the Health and Counseling Services Medical Clinic. Employees who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should contact their medical provider.