announcement

Temple to discontinue the use of PCR tests for COVID-19 testing

To the Temple community,

As a result of the changing COVID-19 landscape and increased availability of COVID-19 tests, Temple University will implement a key change to its COVID-19 testing program. Beginning Monday May 9, 2022, PCR tests will no longer be used as part of the university’s COVID-19 testing program. All tests administered to students, faculty and staff at Paley Hall and the Student Faculty Center will be done with rapid COVID-19 antigen tests.  

All unvaccinated students, faculty and staff with approved COVID-19 vaccine exemptions are still required to test. Individual testing reminders will continue to be sent out weekly, and testing appointments can be made on the Patient Health Portal.  

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, at-home antigen tests are extremely accurate. If you test positive at home, you do not need to come to campus for a confirmatory test. Please start to isolate immediately and upload your positive test results to the Patient Health Portal.  

If you are traveling and require a PCR COVID-19 test, please see options for PCR testing here.

Thank you for your continued patience and flexibility.

Sincerely,

Mark Denys
Senior Director, Health Services