Entry Testing
GuideSafe™ Entry Testing (formerly Stay Safe Together™ Testing) is providing free COVID-19 testing for students at Alabama’s colleges and universities. COVID-19 testing is required for many public or private four-year colleges in the state of Alabama and for all two-year college for students who reside on campus. For other schools COVID-19 testing is strongly encouraged but not required. Specific testing protocols are directed by each campus. Contact each college at the link below for campus-specific entry testing rules and regulations. By getting tested for COVID-19 within 14 days of entry, we can safely and confidently welcome you to campus.
Once you have your day and time set, the onsite test will involve a nasal swab just inside the nose that you will do yourself.
Your test results will be provided within 48 hours via an email from covid19@pwnhealth.com. If your test is positive, you will be contacted by phone within 24 hours and given next steps.
Once entry testing is complete, know that the fight against COVID-19 on Alabama college campuses won’t stop. Ongoing efforts to lower your risk of infection will include something called Sentinel Testing. This is a voluntary testing program that involves randomly testing a small percentage of a population to help track trends, identify outbreaks, and monitor COVID-19 on each campus. These tests are also less invasive but effective in identifying new cases that have the potential to spread.
We’re counting on you to do your part by accepting our invitation to participate should you be selected for this crucial, collaborative effort.
GuideSafe™ Entry Testing is free to students as it is supported by Governor Kay Ivey and funded by the State of Alabama with more than $750,000 in CARES Act money.
Check your university email for information about entry testing.
Testing Locations in Alabama
Auburn, AL
Birmingham, AL
East Huntsville, AL
Florence, AL
Hoover, AL
Huntsville, AL
Jacksonville, AL
Livingston, AL
Marion, AL
Mobile, AL
Montgomery, AL
Talladega, AL
Troy, AL
Tuscaloosa, AL
Registration is open to schedule your free COVID-19 test today. Check your school’s entry website linked below to learn more about COVID-19 testing requirements and exceptions.
Learn more about student entry testing at your institution by clicking on the link below:
Is COVID-19 testing mandatory for students before entering campus?
How are students tested if they are scheduled to return to campus early?
How do students submit their COVID-19 entry test results?
GuideSafe™ will submit student test results to each university on behalf of students who use the at-home test kit or test in person with GuideSafe™. Those who test privately, or need to share a prior positive, will need to contact their university for instructions on how to submit test results.
Do I have to quarantine after I test (until I receive my results)?
It will be required for symptomatic individuals or those who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive to self-quarantine.
How long does it take to receive results once I send in my sample?
If using the at-home kit, you should get your results within 72 hours after you ship your kit. If testing at an on-site location in Alabama, within 48 hours of specimen collection.
What happens if I test positive?
You will get an email with your results through the platform portal (Everlywell for the at-home kit and PWN Health for the on-site platform). If your test is positive, you will also get a phone call from a health care provider within 24 hours after you receive the email. The testing group will notify the appropriate public health officials, as required.
If I'm experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, can I schedule a COVID-19 test through GuideSafe™️?
What if I don’t receive my results before I leave for campus?
What if I haven’t yet received the email with testing instructions?
Messages are being sent to students in a staggered fashion based on move-in dates. Check your university email daily for updates.
What if I live in Alabama and will return to campus after August 6?
Students who live in Alabama and who plan to return to campus after August 6, should watch for an email from GuideSafe™. The email will provide instructions for registering for and scheduling your COVID-19 test at one of 14 testing sites in Alabama.
Where are the on-site testing locations in Alabama?
- Auburn
- Birmingham
- Florence
- Hoover
- Huntsville
- East Huntsville
- Jacksonville
- Livingston
- Marion
- Mobile
- Montgomery
- Talladega
- Troy
- Tuscaloosa
What if I test positive right before I leave to come to campus?
First and foremost: take care of yourself. Students who test positive must follow the isolation and quarantine protocols of your state or place of summer residence for your protection and well-being. Do not come to campus if you test positive.
How do I submit my previous COVID-19 test results or the results of my test from a different provider?
Contact your university student health clinic for instructions on how to submit your test results.
The self-administered COVID-19 test is not available because I live in NY, NJ, MD, RI or am under 18 years old. How do I test?
Due to FDA restrictions, out-of-state minors (under 18), those living outside of the United States or residents of New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Rhode Island will not be able to participate in the at-home testing kit option for entry testing provided by GuideSafe™ Testing (formerly known as Stay Safe Together).
Students who are not eligible for an at-home testing kit have the following three options to complete the COVID-19 entry testing requirements prior to coming to campus:
- Identify a testing option (at personal cost) such as a drug store, your primary care physician, a local health department or drive-thru testing. This can include a testing option in your community or once you are in Alabama, as long as it is within the 14-day window of your entry to campus.
- GuideSafe Testing (formerly known as Stay Safe Together), has 14 test locations set up across Alabama. To use this option, please email testing@guidesafe.org now to register to receive a test at one of these locations once you are in Alabama. You will need your negative test results prior to arrival on campus, and before moving into campus housing.
- Contact your university to see if they have other campus testing options available.
I've entered my information for an at-home testing kit but I haven't received any notifications on when I would receive it?
We pull this list daily, Monday-Friday, and send to our at-home test kit partner Everlywell. When they receive the order and fulfill the order, they will email the student a tracking number for the shipment.
Can a student be tested at a different GuideSafe™️ testing location than they were originally assigned?
Students are able to schedule their own testing appointment – location, date, time. For those who participated in the pilot testing, locations were pre-assigned. To change your scheduled appointment, contact Verily User Support at healthyatwork@verily.com.
Why does Verily mention “work” in my email confirmation and when I log in to the system?
We want to assure you that you are in the right place. Verily’s “Healthy at Work” system supports organizations and their efforts for a safe return to work and school.
