For Faculty, Staff, and Researchers

Local leadership will enroll you in the testing program prior to your return-to-campus date. Confirm with your supervisor and/or local testing coordinator that you have been enrolled. Then, create your Color account using your Harvard email.

Learn more about testing.

Follow the testing cadence based on your testing group listed under “How often do I test?”

Affiliates who do not live on campus are not required to test regularly, however have the option of doing so if they wish. All affiliates who do live on campus are required to continue regular testing until their transition date to optional testing on May 10. Anyone with symptoms or known exposure should continue to test.

Learn more about testing.

You may have access to a local supply of test kits in your department or unit. Check with your supervisor.

You can also check with your School or Unit’s local testing coordinator for test kit pick-up locations.

Drop-off bins are available at multiple locations across campus. See the map to find your nearest location. You should drop off your test sample as soon as possible after completing your self-swab. Note the hours of operation and last pick-up times for each collection bin on the map. Samples not deposited in a bin within 24 hours from activation may be discarded by the lab.

If you have an infrequent on-campus presence (e.g., once/month), you should test on the day you arrive on campus. After that, follow the testing cadence listed in your Color account. In general, employees with an infrequent on-campus presence will test every 30 days. If you find yourself coming to campus more frequently, notify your testing coordinator and immediately test at a higher frequency.

All University affiliates who are authorized to be on campus are required to test at their assigned cadence. Your Color account will indicate your testing frequency and compliance/noncompliance status based on your testing group, vaccination status, last test date, and local infection rates. Managers will be informed of a noncompliance status. Failure to comply with testing will be addressed appropriately at the local level.

For vacation and sick time, we have built a grace period into testing compliance, but it’s a good practice to make sure your supervisor is aware you might fall out of compliance.

If you’re away from campus for the winter recess, or working remotely, you can disregard your Color notifications and resume testing upon your return to campus. If you are currently outside of the Boston/Cambridge area, get tested prior to your return travel to ensure you are not putting others at risk of infection while in transit.

Color is a health testing and technology company. Harvard has partnered with Color to administer the University’s testing procedures, which includes providing test kits, managing alerts for regular testing, and delivering test results to individuals. See Harvard University IT’s Color FAQs for more information.

It is likely that you have not been activated for testing.  Contact your local testing coordinator to troubleshoot the situation and discuss your eligibility.

It’s possible your kit was not activated properly. The best advice is to simply submit another test, but you can also contact support@color.com to troubleshoot what happened. Again, best course of action is to take another test.

Face coverings are optional in all indoor spaces on Harvard’s campuses. Schools and Central Administration Units may continue to require masking in certain settings as they deem appropriate.

If you feel the need to continue to wear a mask for your own protection, or to protect someone close to you, you should do so. The decision to wear a mask in settings where it is not required is a personal one, and it should be informed by the prevalence of cases in the community, your vaccination status, and your age/medical history. Masks continue to be highly effective in reducing risk of transmission regardless of vaccination status.

Only you and HUHS will know your vaccination and booster status. Review the COVID-19 testing and tracing data collection and privacy information to understand which information is collected and how it is used.

Consistent with federal guidance, all Harvard employees, including those who are on 100% remote work status, must be fully vaccinated unless they have an approved exemption. Employees do not have the option to opt for additional testing instead of vaccination.

All University affiliates who are authorized to be on campus are required to be tested at their assigned cadence. Managers will be notified of a noncompliance status. Failure to comply with testing will be addressed appropriately at the local level.