GuideSafeTM Entry Testing

Fact Sheet

• COVID-19 testing is mandatory* for each and every student entering or returning to
campuses in Alabama. No student will be allowed to enter a campus without a completed
test.

*Contact each college for campus-specific entry protocols.

• GuideSafeTM Entry Testing (formerly Stay Safe TogetherTM Testing) is the largest-scale
higher education testing initiative in the nation.

• GuideSafe™provides free COVID-19 testing for every college student attending a public or
private four-year and two-year college in the state. GuideSafe™ Entry Testing is required for
every student attending a public or private four-year college in the state of Alabama.

• Additionally, all two-year college students who reside on campus are required to
participate.

• The ability to test every student within 14 days of entry to Alabama college campuses helps
maintain a safe environment and slow the spread of COVID-19.

• Tests through GuideSafeTM will be offered at no cost to students through CARES Act
funding.

• Students should be tested within 2 weeks (14 days) prior to their return. All students MUST
receive a negative result before returning to campus and prior to their first campus activities
– i.e. before rush, before move-in, and before classes. Each university MUST receive a
student’s results prior to his/her return.

• If a student is arriving on campus early, he/she must contact his/her university Student
Admissions office for more information. Each campus is specifically handling early arrivals
differently.

• Each student’s respective university will outreach to him/her regarding testing directives.
Students MUST search their email sent to the address on file with your school for a
message directly from either testing@guidesafe.org or testing@staysafetogether.org. This
email communication will direct students to a separate web link where they can register for
a day and time at a testing location most convenient for each student.

• While pilots have been conducted in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa since July 26,
GuideSafe™ Entry Testing (formerly Stay Safe Together™ Testing) will begin at 11
additional locations across Alabama Aug. 4. Two additional sites will open in Marion and
Talladega on Aug. 10 and Aug. 14, respectively.

• Onsite testing involves a simple nasal swab just inside the nose that students will
administer themselves. Test results will be provided to the student — as well as his/her
 campus and ADPH —within 48 hours. If a test is positive, a student will be contacted by
phone within 24 hours and given next steps.

• Once GuideSafeTM Entry Testing is complete (TBD at the end of August), Sentinel Testing
will begin to take place on campuses. This is a voluntary program that involves randomly
testing a small percentage of a population weekly 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.

• Should media need to speak to someone regarding GuideSafe Entry or Sentinel Testing,
please contact Ashley Foster, APR, at ashley@bigcom.com or 205.532.0901.