HELENA — Carroll College has announced initial COVID testing plans for students returning this fall, with the Board of Trustees has allocating funds for a COVID-19 test for every student as they return to campus.
The college says they’ll be using a firm with positive references and can guarantee a 48-hour turnaround for results of the tests.
“We’re doing this so that we come back as COVID-free as possible and can isolate any cases,” said Chato Hazelbaker, vice president of Enrollment Management and Marketing.
Hazelbaker said the testing will also allow for them to have confidence as to the state of COVID on campus.
Carroll has implemented several COIVD precautions and restrictions on campus to protect students and the community.
“Testing is an important part of the plan, but testing is one part of several planks of the plan to make sure we provide students, parents, families and the community of Helena the opportunity to know that we’re doing the best that we can to make sure we outperform,” said Hazelbaker.
In addition to testing, students are asked to complete a 14-day quarantine prior to their arrival for fall semester. The current move-in schedule has students arriving on Aug. 14 and Aug. 15 on a staggered schedule.
Face masks are required on campus this fall, and social distancing will be set up in classrooms and the dining area.
The college also hopes to combine this initial testing with ongoing testing of groups of asymptomatic students.
Details are still being finalized, and more information will be made available to students next week.