The policy does not apply to employees and students who are coming to campus for 15 minutes or less.
The University System of Maryland recently announced that COVID-19 testing and symptom monitoring is required for all students and employees returning in fall 2020.
Any student or employee who will be on the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) campus or facilities for housing, in-person classes, educational activities, or work must be tested and provide proof of a negative result within 14 days of returning to campus.
This policy does not apply to employees and students who are coming to campus for 15 minutes or less to do things such as pick up a book from the library or supplies from the office. However, you are expected to fill out the SAFE on Campus screening form before every visit. This exemption does not apply to exercising at URecFit when it reopens.
If you are already on campus or are arriving before Aug. 17, students and employees should be tested as soon as practical and fill out the SAFE on Campus symptom monitoring form daily.
If arriving Aug. 17 or later, students and employees must be tested within 14 days of arrival on campus. For example, if you are scheduled to be on campus Aug. 31, you must get tested between Aug. 17-30 and provide your negative result from that period.
You must have results from a COVID-19 diagnostic test, which will show if you have an active coronavirus infection. There are two types of diagnostic tests: molecular tests, such as RT-PCR tests, that detect the virus’ genetic material, and antigen tests that detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus. UMB will not accept any type of COVID-19 antibody test result.
There are four options for getting tested:
- Call your medical provider or UMaryland Immediate Care at 667-214-1899.
- Schedule or walk-up at Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital. See below for additional information.
- Find a testing location in Maryland by ZIP code here.
- Students and employees living outside of Maryland should visit their state health department’s website for information on COVID-19 testing available in their state.
If you get tested at the Baltimore Convention Center, here is what you can expect:
- Dates and Times: The Baltimore Convention Center is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Appointments are encouraged and prioritized. You can schedule appointments online at https://myportfolio.umm.edu/mychart/SignupAndSchedule/EmbeddedSchedule?id=RES^84002422&vt=22697. Walk-ins will be tested but may take a bit longer. At peak hours such as lunch, wait times may be up to 90 minutes, but most are often less than one hour. The best times to go are mid-morning or after 1 p.m.
- Directions to Testing Site: The site is located at the intersection of Pratt and Sharp streets, where the Baltimore Convention Center buildings are connected by the Sharp Street underpass. From campus, walk on Pratt Street toward the Inner Harbor away from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard until Sharp Street. Turn right on Sharp Street. The testing site is located on Sharp Street between the two Convention Center buildings. Follow the directions of testing center staff in yellow vests who will direct you to the registration line on the Conway Street side of the Convention Center buildings.
- What to Expect of the Test: UMB Emergency Management Executive Director Jonathan Bratt walks through his experience of getting a COVID-19 test at the Convention Center.
- How to Receive Results: You will set up a MyPortfolio account when you schedule your appointment or when you register at the testing site. This is how you will electronically receive your test results. You will receive an email that your test results are available in MyPortfolio. You can access them by logging in on a computer or via an iPhone or Android app. If you need assistance with MyPortfolio, you can go to https://www.umms.org/ummc/patient-portal, call 1-844-281-8667, or email myportfoliosupport@umm.edu for assistance.
Employees will upload their COVID-19 test results in SAFE. Students should upload their test results in Castle Branch.