Georgetown University COVID-19 Testing Protocol

Ongoing Testing

Students, faculty and staff are not required to test regularly unless they develop symptoms or are exposed or potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Symptomatic Testing

Students, faculty and staff experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 must complete the COVID-19 Symptom Check-In survey and get tested as soon as possible.

“Close Contact” or Exposure Testing

Asymptomatic individuals who have been exposed to, informed that they are a close contact of, or believe they have been in close contact with or potentially exposed to, somebody who has tested positive for COVID-19 must complete the COVID-19 Symptom Check-In survey to indicate their exposure and get tested.

On-Demand Testing

Free COVID-19 testing is available on demand on Georgetown’s campuses via Shield T3 COVID-19 PCR test vending machines at no charge to University community members.

Antigen Testing

Antigen testing will continue to be available free of charge in certain situations, when appropriate. Please contact a Care Navigator at carenavigators@georgetown.edu for more information.

Register for Shield T3 COVID-19 PCR Testing

1. Go to the COVID-19 Testing Portal (which you can also access via the GU360 mobile app) and log in using your Georgetown NetID and password, using Duo two-factor identification.
2. Enter your date of birth to confirm your identity, and sign the consent form to allow your test results to be shared with Georgetown’s Public Health team.
3. After registering, you can click the “Profile” tab in the dropdown menu to update your address and mobile phone number as needed. You will be required to provide this contact information before you register your first test kit. On the “Profile” page, you will also have the option to disable and enable receiving text messages regarding your test results.

How to Order, Take and Submit Your Test

You can order and retrieve your test from the vending machines at any time the building is open. Samples are collected from the drop box at 5 p.m. Monday – Friday (holidays excepted—see schedule below). Do not take or submit a test between 5 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday because your sample will not be collected in time for it to be processed accurately by the lab.

To order, take and submit your test, proceed to a COVID-19 test vending machine and:

1. Use your smartphone to scan the “Step 1: Portal Login” QR code on the vending machine, log in to the testing portal, and click “Get a Shield T3 COVID-19 Test”.
   • Note: If you do not have a smartphone, or have accessibility issues with the test vending or testing process, please email the Public Health team at carenavigators@georgetown.edu for assistance.
2. Using your smartphone, scan the “Step 2: Dispense Test” QR code on the vending machine screen. Collect your test kit, which will be dispensed at the bottom of the machine.
   • Note: Check for your kit even if you don’t hear it being dispensed because the machine is quiet.
3. Find a private space away from other people, and take the test using the instructions included in the kit.
   • Register your test kit in the testing portal by clicking “COVID Test Self Collect Activation” and entering the specimen number and kit number on your vial. You will be asked to provide/confirm your address and mobile phone number at this time if you have not done so yet.
   • Collect your test sample.
   • Wipe the vial with the alcohol wipe provided.
   • Place the absorbent material and test vial into the small biohazard bag and seal it tightly.
4. Drop the biohazard bag in the drop box next to the vending machine.
5. Please recycle the plastic testing funnel and dispose of the other materials.

You can watch this Shield T3 instructional video for a full overview of the testing process.

Spring Semester Holidays (No Sample Collection)

• Monday, January 16
• Monday, February 20
• Monday, May 29
• Monday, June 19
  

Test Results

You will be notified that your test result is available in the testing portal by email and by SMS text (if you provided a cell phone number). Log in to the portal, and click “COVID Test Results”. Georgetown’s Public Health team will also be notified of your test result and will be in touch with you if you receive a positive result or an inconclusive result.

Shield T3 COVID-19 Test Vending Machine Locations (Location Map)

• Main Campus
  • Healey Family Student Center (HFSC): Located on the second floor hallway across from the dance studio.
  • Intercultural Center (ICC): Located in the third floor elevator lobby, to the left of the main entrance off Red Square. 
  • Leavey Center: Located in the South Gallery hallway near the Faculty Club & Restaurant and current One Medical testing, accessed via Sellinger Lounge. 
• Medical Center: Located in the Pre-Clinical Science Building around the corner from the POD market on G-level, next to the Wellfound Foods vending machine. 
• Law Center: Located in the Ginsburg Sport & Fitness Center near the bookstore entrance.
• School of Continuing Studies (640 Mass Ave. NW): Located on Level 1, just past the turnstiles and the front desk.

Free COVID-19 testing is available for residents of Washington, DC. Maryland and Virginia also have testing sites available for residents.

Community members required to participate in Georgetown’s testing protocol may choose to schedule a test with a third-party healthcare provider. Payment for third-party testing is your responsibility. You must report your test results to Georgetown in a timely manner, consistent with the above testing requirements, by submitting the COVID Test Result Submission Form.

Please refer to the Isolation and Precautions page for guidance and resources for community members who are required to isolate.

Please refer to the COVID-19 FAQ page for answers to frequently asked questions about testing, contact tracing and other health and safety measures and policies.