Penn State Health stops pre-travel COVID-19 employee testing

Penn State Health laboratories will no longer accommodate employees or their travel partners requesting a COVID-19 test prior to travel to a state that requires proof of a negative test for entry.

Employees who want to be tested because they have decided to travel or attend large gatherings locally for the holidays should use an alternate source for testing, such as Vault Health, which offers an in-home, saliva collection test that is completed under remote supervision. Some insurance carriers may reimburse the $150 cost for the test. Vault Health will return the test results within 72 hours of receiving the sample in its lab.

Employees should keep the following in mind:

• If you test negative for COVID-19, you probably were not infected at the time your sample was collected. However, that does not mean you will not get sick. The test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing. You might test negative if the sample was collected early in your infection and test positive later during your illness. And COVID-19 can be transmitted by those who have no symptoms.
• Staff are required to notify their managers of any travel plans. All employees must also follow the Penn State Health  and College of Medicine Travel and Quarantine Policy and Meeting, Training and Gatherings guidelines for Penn State Health activities, including any off-site. Please refer to the COVID-19 workplace resources.
• Experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also note those planning to attend holiday celebrations should be aware of any health and safety laws and local or state guidelines that might affect the gathering. CDC resources on holidays, get-togethers and travel are provided below.

Learn more

• Penn State Health and College of Medicine Travel and Quarantine Policy
• Penn State Health and College of Medicine Meeting, Training, and Gathering Guidelines
• Penn State Health COVID-19 Resources
• College of Medicine COVID-19 Resources
• CDC: Know Your Travel Risk
• CDC: Know When to Delay Your Travel to Avoid Spreading COVID-19
• CDC: Holiday Celebrations
• CDC: Hosting gatherings or cookouts
• CDC: People at Increased Risk
• The Medical Minute: Virtual gatherings may be best way to celebrate holidays together

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