The University of Michigan advises all students to practice enhanced social distancing and be tested before they leave campus to promote safety by reducing the likelihood of students infected with COVID-19 returning to their permanent residences and surrounding communities. Departure testing for the end of winter term has not been announced yet -- check back later.
As a U-M student, you play an important role in helping to keep the U-M community — as well as your communities back home — as safe as possible.
Undergraduate students living in Michigan Housing are expected to get tested prior to departure. All graduate students and undergraduate students living off campus are strongly encouraged to be tested before departing.
If you tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days, the CDC and the Washtenaw County Health Department do not recommend collecting another test because you may still be positive from your previous infection. If you are traveling to a location that requests a recent negative test result and need to request documentation of this policy, please email covid19sampling@umich.edu with "Travel Letter" as the subject line.
Before you leave Ann Arbor, here are important things to plan to do:
- Practice enhanced social distancing before you intend to travel, ideally for 14 days if possible.
- Get a COVID test prior to departure. Allow for up to 3 days to receive your results. Register for testing by 5pm the day before you want to take your test. Students living in Michigan Housing are expected to get tested prior to departure.
- Quarantine for 14 days after arriving at your permanent residence. Public health officials advise that university students quarantine for 14 days after returning from campus to their permanent residence. Wear a face covering, watch for development of symptoms and avoid contact with others. This is recommended by U-M health officials and the Washtenaw County Health Department.
- Travel safely. Please review the following travel recommendations. It is recommended that you not travel until you have received negative test results.
Please see this FAQ for more information on departure protocols for Michigan Housing residents.
