All NUS students and staff to undergo COVID-19 self-test pilot from Aug 10

SINGAPORE: All students and staff from the National University of Singapore (NUS) will need to swab themselves regularly for COVID-19 using self-test kits from next Tuesday (Aug 10), in a pilot programme aimed at helping to prevent the spread of the virus. 

In a circular sent to students on Wednesday night, NUS said that staff and students will be given antigen rapid test self-test kits.

The frequency of the testing depends on the individual’s vaccination status and whether they reside on campus.

The pilot programme for Fast and Easy Test regime is “an added precaution” to safeguard the health of students and staff, said Dr Peck Thian Guan, senior director of the university’s Office of Safety, Health and Environment, in the circular. 

“It will enable quick detection and better containment of community spread of the virus, in the event of any confirmed COVID-19 cases.” 

FREQUENCY OF TESTS

Students and staff who stay on campus and are fully vaccinated will have to test themselves once a month, according to the circular. Those who are not vaccinated or who have only received one dose of the vaccine will have to test themselves once a week. 

Students and staff who do not reside on campus must test themselves before their first visit to the campus, effective Aug 10. Thereafter, those who are fully vaccinated will need to take a COVID-19 self-swab test at every 20th visit to campus, while those who are not vaccinated will have to do so at every fifth visit. 

Students and staff must make sure they are connected to the NUS Wi-Fi on their mobile device when they are on campus, said Dr Peck in the circular. 

For those who do not live on campus, the uNivUS app will help them keep track of their visits to campus as long as they are connected to the NUS Wi-Fi. The app will prompt them when they are due for a self-swab test, the circular read. 

In response to CNA queries, NUS said that students and staff will need to upload their swab test results on the uNivUS app. Currently, students can log their temperature through the app as well. 

Students and staff who serve in the medical sectors and are already subject to rostered routine testing may be exempted from the Fast and Easy Test pilot, Dr Peck wrote. They can submit an exemption through their respective Faculty Dean’s offices. They may also opt to participate in the pilot, if they wish to do so. 

All staff and students should also update their COVID-19 vaccination status on uNivUS by Aug 9, a day before the pilot programme begins. 

“This will enable the university to plan for a safer return to campus for our community, while adhering to prevailing safe management measures,” said Dr Peck. 

“Vaccination is a key enabler to protect ourselves and our loved ones against COVID-19, minimise transmission in the community, allow more social activities to resume and enable Singapore to re-open further. We urge everyone who have yet to be vaccinated and are medically eligible for vaccination to sign up for it at www.vaccine.gov.sg as soon as possible.”