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COVID-19
The safety, health and well-being of all campus community members and visitors is our primary commitment.
Cal Poly is actively monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are proactively engaged in pandemic planning with our public health partners, including the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department and the CDC. Visit this official Cal Poly Roadmap website often for critical updates and advisories.
If you are experiencing any of the following severe COVID-19 symptoms, please go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
- Unusual shortness of breath, unable to catch your breath or speak a full sentence
- Blue lips or face
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Severe dizziness or lightheadedness
Take Preventative Action
Help protect our campus community by following prevention recommendations based on our county’s COVID-19 community levels. The COVID-19 Community Level is monitored by the CDC and is available through this checker. The COVID-19 level is either low, medium or high, and recommendations for our safety are based on the prevalence in our community. Find more information about preventative measures at the Cal Poly Roadmap.
How to Keep Yourself and Community Safe
Follow these preventive actions to use at all COVID-19 Community Levels (Low, Medium or High)
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Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
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Improve ventilation indoors and move indoor activities outdoors.
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Get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or have been exposed.
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If you have COVID-19 or you are suspected of having COVID-19, follow isolation recommendations and stay home until you are cleared. Wear a high-quality mask when around others.
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If you have COVID-19 and are at high risk of getting very sick, seek medical treatment as there is medication available.
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Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
When the COVID-19 Community Level is Medium or High
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If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a high-quality mask when indoors in public
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If you will be spending time with someone who is at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing before seeing them, and wearing a high-quality mask around them.
When the COVID-19 Community Level is High
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Wear a high-quality mask
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If you are at high risk of getting very sick, consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in pubilc and avoid crowded areas where you could be exposed.
Daily Screening Tool
The COVID-19 Daily Self-Screening Tool is a way to monitor your daily health symptoms and receive important information and requirements from COVID-19 Help. It can be accessed via the Cal Poly Portal or by daily email/text (opt in to receive these on the daily screening page in the portal).
Students who test positive or experience symptoms after an exposure to COVID-19 are encouraged to report this information in their daily screener to receive further instruction.
Starting January 9, 2023, students are no longer required to complete daily self-screening. The daily screener will remain available to students as a useful tool to monitor your daily health and well-being.
Daily Screening Guidelines
Students who elect to participate in the daily self-screener should complete it before noon or prior to leaving their residence for campus each day, whichever comes first. If you do not receive daily screening notifications via email (from covid-19-screening@reply.calpoly.edu) or text message, access the daily self-screening tool in your Cal Poly Portal.
Upon completion, you will receive a daily color-coded campus pass (based on your health). If you receive a red pass, we recommend that you refrain from attending class and follow instructions from COVID-19 Help. If you have been notified that you are required to isolate, your daily screening tool will be temporarily disabled throughout your required isolation period.
Enforcement
- As part of our collective efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19, the university requires members of the campus community to comply with all COVID-19 related protocols on campus. Protocols may update as needed. Please visit the Cal Poly Roadmap for all up-to-date policies.
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In addition, any student found falsifying information may be subject to conduct sanctions, including possible suspension or expulsion from the university. For more information, please visit the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities website.
COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters
There are many options available to students to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines including boosters are effective and free. The CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines for their age group. Please review our webpage on vaccinations and find the option that works best for you.
If you are exposed to COVID-19
Use the CDC guide to assess your exposure risk. You should take precautions to keep others safe by monitoring yourself, get tested, and quarantine if appropriate.
Symptomatic After an Exposure
test, stay home, and wear a high-quality mask around others
Students who are symptomatic should self-isolate in their rooms and wear a high-quality mask until their diagnosis is known. If the test result is positive, students should follow isolation recommendations and report their positive result to the Cal Poly Portal. Walk-in symptomatic testing is available at Campus Health and Wellbeing.
Symptomatic students can report in their Daily Screener and test.
Symptomatic student employees should be excluded from work and test as soon as possible. Walk-in evaluations and testing are available at Campus Health and Wellbeing. Exclusion from work should continue until test results are obtained.
- If the student employee is unable to test or choosing not to test, exclusion should continue for 10 days.
- If the student employee tests negative and returns to work earlier than 10 days after the close contact, the employee should wear a face covering around others for 10 days following the close contact.
- CDPH recommends continuing exclusion and retesting in 1-2 days if testing negative with an antigen test, particularly if tested during the first 1-2 days of symptoms.
Asymptomatic After an Exposure
WEAR A MASK AND TEST ON OR AFTER DAY 5 OF YOUR EXPOSURE
Students who are exposed to COVID-19 should test five days after exposure and avoid exposing others by wearing a well-fitting mask for a total of 10 days, especially in indoor settings and when near those at higher risk for severe COVID-19 disease, per guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
Watch for symptoms after an exposure. Symptoms may appear two to fourteen days after exposure to the virus.
Students are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated or boosted.
Persons infected within the prior 90 days and who do not have symptoms do not need to be tested or quarantined unless symptoms develop.
The following applies to asymptomatic student employees, regardless of vaccination status. Student employees who have had a close contact should test within three to five days after their last close contact.
- Students should wear face coverings around others for a total of 10 days after exposure.
- If an exposed employee develops symptoms, they should be excluded pending the results of a test. If they test positive they must follow isolation requirements.
- If an exposed employee who develops symptoms is unable to test or choosing not to test, they should be excluded until 10 days after the date of symptom onset.
What to do if You Have Symptoms of COVID-19
Get tested if you have any of these common COVID-19 symptoms. There may be other symptoms not on this list. Symptoms of influenza and COVID-19 can be very similar and are impossible to tell the difference unless you have tests done.
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If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 90 days and now have developed symptoms of COVID-19 again, use an antigen test only. A PCR test may be positive for up to 90 days after you have COVID-19.
CH&W COVID-19 Testing for Symptomatic Students
If you are experiencing symptoms, you may complete a home test or schedule an appointment for medical evaluation and testing at (805)756-1211. Walk-in nurse triage and clinic services are also available at Campus Health and Wellbeing locating in Building 27. Please note that walk-in wait times are variable. Home tests can be purchased at the pharmacy (Building 27).
Off-Campus Testing Resources for Students
COVID-19 testing is also available from other locations such as urgent care centers or testing centers. These facilities may charge co-pays from insurance or fees, so be sure to call ahead to understand the costs for testing.

Self-Testing Kits
At-home tests are now widely available for purchase at local pharmacies and the Cal Poly Pharmacy.

Get tested in the San Luis Obispo area
San Luis Obispo County has several testing locations available.

Testing Outside SLO County
If you live outside of the area, please contact your family healthcare provider to determine the testing options available to you.
COVID-19 Test Results
If you received a negative result, that means the test did not detect the virus today but that doesn’t rule out an infection. All antigen tests are designed to be used in a series (also known as serial testing). If you have symptoms, repeat the test 24 to 48 hours later, even if your symptoms are gone. Multiple negative tests increases the confidence that you are not infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.
If your symptoms persist or worsen retesting is advised.
Positive Result
You have COVID-19. Cal Poly is here to support students who have received a positive COVID-19 test. Please follow the steps below to report a positive test result to Cal Poly:
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Report to your Daily Screener. Click “In the last 10 days, I have been diagnosed with COVID-19" and await instructions via email from COVID-19 Help.
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Upload your result.
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Did you complete an at-home test? If yes, go to the test uploader in your COVID-19 Info tab in your Portal, and upload a PDF, JPEG or .png of your test cartridge/card/stick with results plainly visible, and write on the test cartridge/card/stick itself your name, date of birth, and the test date.
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Did you complete a test at an off-campus lab or testing site? If yes, go to the test uploader in your COVID-19 Info tab in your Portal, and upload a PDF, JPEG or .png of your official lab test result. It cannot be a text message. It must include your name, DOB, date of test, type of test, and result.
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Did you complete a test on-campus? Positive results from Campus Health & Wellbeing will be available on your CH&W Portal. It will be automatically uploaded on your behalf.
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Isolate per the guidelines in your email.
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Follow further emailed instructions from COVID-19 Help.
Student Quarantine and Isolation Guide
Quarantine and isolation are public health authorities that are implemented to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. People who are ill may be isolated to protect the public by preventing exposure to infected people.
Isolation
Isolation is for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been diagnosed with COVID-19. This includes positive results from at-home tests or tests from a lab. If you have COVID-19, you must isolate yourself away from others even if you have been vaccinated, have been infected before, or do not have symptoms. See the instructions below.
Isolation Guidelines
Isolation orders are public health legal orders that separate those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 from others to prevent spreading the infection. If you are in isolation, you should monitor your health and seek medical attention if your condition worsens or if you need help.
- Once you've uploaded a positive result or tested positive at CH&W, you will receive an email from COVID-19 Help with further instructions.
- Isolation can end after 5 full days if you've had no fever for the last 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine (like Tylenol or Ibuprofen) AND symptoms are improving, or no symptoms are present.
- If you want to leave the area to isolate in another location, please see instructions below under “Travel Guidelines”.
Stay at home.
- Do not leave your residence except for obtaining medical care or in the event of an emergency. Do not travel until isolation period has passed (see below section "Additional Support for all students: can I travel if I'm on county-mandated orders?"). Do not attend class, work, restaurants, grocery stores, or any public gathering or place.
- Do not have any visitors or contact with delivery people.
- Avoid sharing dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets. After using these items, wash them thoroughly with soap and water.
Monitor your health.
- Self-monitor body temperature and overall health and wellness.
- Call Campus Health and Wellbeing at 805-756-1211 if you develop any worrisome symptoms of COVID-19 or have any other concerns.
- Call Cal Poly Counseling Services at (805) 756-2511 if you have any mental health concerns. Crisis care is available.
- Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have emergency medical needs such as difficulty breathing, chest pressure, or confusion.
Wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask around others for a full 10 days.
- You must wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days, meaning that you will not be able to eat with others. The best mask is an N95. A friend can pick these up for you on campus.
If you are at a higher risk of severe disease, such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or obesity, contact your medical provider and ask about treatment options.
Notify your close contacts that they have been exposed.
- Use the CDC guide to assess exposure risk.
- The infectious period for COVID-19 starts 2 days before your symptoms appear (or 2 days before your positive test if you did not have symptoms) and continues until the end of your isolation.
- Exposed contacts who are Cal Poly students should identify themselves on the Daily Screener for further instructions.
If you have in-person classes, labs or are employed on or off campus, please read guidance on the instructor notification of student absences process in your syllabi and report any illness to your employer.
Your isolation period:
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To calculate your isolation period, Day 0 is your first day of symptoms or the day of your positive test (if you are asymptomatic). Day 1 is the first full day after symptoms develop, or the first full day after your positive test if you do not experience symptoms. If you were initially asymptomatic when you tested positive, and then developed symptoms, your isolation period starts over.
- Any other definition of isolation dates must be documented in writing by the SLO Public Health Department or the county in which you were tested. Please reply to your isolation email with documentation from the SLO Public Health Department attached for review.
Additional Instructions for On-Campus Students
COVID-19 Help will send an email regarding Isolation in Place (IIP). Remain in your room with the door closed as much as possible.
Per our local Public Health officials:
- Wear a mask at all times in your room, unless you do not have any roommates. Ask a friend to obtain N95 masks for you on campus as they are the best mask.
- You are strongly encouraged to share the news with your roommates, so that everyone can take appropriate precautions.
- Keep your door to your room closed and windows open to circulate fresh air as much as possible.
The following exceptions are allowed while wearing a high-quality, well-fitted mask. Keep trips brief and then return directly to your room:
- Use the common bathroom. If possible, avoid heavy traffic times. Always keep your mask on except when brushing your teeth/brief showering.
- Pick up food on-campus after ordering on GrubHub. Eat in your room away from others.
- Pick up food outside your residence after being delivered by an off-campus restaurant or other delivery services. Eat in your room away from others.
- Use the laundry facilities in your building. If possible, avoid heavy traffic times.
- Sit outside, away from others to get fresh air. You can go for a walk alone. Please wear your mask.
You are not permitted to:
- Go to in-person classes, labs, or workplaces
- Leave the Cal Poly campus, except for an emergency evacuation.
- Be with others in groups.
- Attend group events like religious services, outdoor concerts, and other gatherings that bring people together.
- Utilize the Recreation Center.
- Enter other residential communities.
Quarantine
Quarantine is for people who have been in close contact with someone infected with COVID-19. Many people exposed to COVID-19 will not need to quarantine if they don’t have any symptoms, but will still need to take important precautions. See the instructions below to find out what you need to do.
Quarantine Guidelines
Quarantine separates those who have had an exposure to COVID-19 from others for 10 days. The exposed person may contract the virus and they will be infectious to others starting 48 hours before they develop symptoms.
Please review the "if you are exposed" section to determine if you need to quarantine or not. Please email covid-help@calpoly.edu to inform them of your quarantine and report on your Daily Screener.
Stay home or in your room as much as possible for 10 days.
Wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days following your last exposure.
- This means avoiding situations where you would need to remove your mask around others, such as eating at a restaurant.
- It is especially critical in indoor settings and when near those at higher risk for severe COVID-19.
Avoid exposing others as you may develop COVID-19 or have asymptomatic COVID-19.
- Avoid contact with other people within your residence as much as possible, and wear a face covering in shared spaces, such as a shared restroom, kitchens or hallways at all times.
- Avoid sharing dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets. After using these items, wash them thoroughly with soap and water.
Watch for symptoms.
- Self-monitor body temperature and overall health and wellness.
- If you develop symptoms after you are exposed, you may use a home test, seek a test off-campus, or walk-in during business hours to Health Services in Building 27 for evaluation and testing. You do not have to wait for day 5 to test.
Monitor yourself and get tested
- If you do not have symptoms, test on Day 5 or after. Example: you last saw a friend on October 3rd. They had a test done on October 2nd and just got their positive results. The last day you saw them was on October 3rd, so get a test done on or after October 8. You can test off-campus, or use a home test. Please upload if your test is positive.
- Walk-in for an appointment with Health Services if you have concerns regarding your exposure. You are allowed on campus to visit medical services during your quarantine for related issues.
- Call Cal Poly Counseling Services at (805) 756-2511 if you have any mental health concerns. Crisis care is available.
If you have in-person classes, please read guidance on the instructor notification of student absences process. If your professor needs verification, please have them contact the Dean of Students Office.
If you are employed, contact your employer for assistance. There may be other guidance related to your workplace.
Follow the advice of your health care provider, the university and/or local public health officials.
Additional Instructions for On-Campus Students
This section pertains only to students who are in quarantine (must stay home) because of exposure amid high-risk circumstances.
Per our local Public Health officials:
- Wear a mask at all times in your room, unless you do not have any roommates. Ask a friend to obtain N95 masks for you on campus as they are the best mask.
- You are strongly encouraged to share the news with your roommates so that everyone can take appropriate precautions.
- Keep your door to your room closed and windows open as much as possible.
The following exceptions are allowed while wearing a high-quality, well-fitted mask. Keep trips brief and then return directly to your room:
- Use the common bathroom. If possible, avoid heavy traffic times. Always keep your mask on except when brushing your teeth/brief showering.
- Pick up food on-campus after ordering on GrubHub. Eat in your room away from others.
- Pick up food outside your residence after being delivered by an off-campus restaurant or other delivery services. Eat in your room away from others.
- Use the laundry facilities in your building. If possible, avoid heavy traffic times.
- Sit outside, away from others to get fresh air. You can go for a walk alone. Please wear your mask.
You are not permitted to:
- Go to in-person classes, labs, or workplaces
- Leave the Cal Poly campus, except for an emergency evacuation.
- Be with others in groups.
- Attend group events like religious services, outdoor concerts, and other gatherings that bring people together.
- Utilize the Recreation Center.
- Enter other residential communities.
Additional Instructions for Off-Campus Students
This section pertains only to students who are in quarantine (must stay home) because of exposure amid high-risk circumstances.
- Remain in your residence with the door closed, ideally in a room by yourself.
- You will be prohibited from visiting campus during this time for any reason except for testing or medical care. Your daily self-screening pass will be disabled throughout your quarantine and your pass will be yellow.
- Food and essential supplies. Consider using a delivery service such as Instacart. Arrange a safe delivery. A County quarantine order prohibits you from visiting stores or restaurants. If you need assistance beyond what your household members can provide, please call the SLO County Public Health Department at (805) 781-5500.
- Please follow the SLO County Public Health Quarantine Instructions
Travel Guidance
Students have the option to move to a safe, off-campus location for the duration of their isolation, which may be their home residence during isolation or quarantine.
Travel Guidelines in Isolation and Quarantine
If a student in quarantine or isolation wants to travel, they must accept the risks associated with that decision. Please reply to the COVID-19 Help email regarding your isolation or quarantine and request permission ASAP to travel to another location.
See CDC instructions regarding travel. Any student on a county-mandated order for quarantine or isolation must comply with the following:
- Absolutely no travel using public transportation (bus, train, airplane, ride-share, Uber, etc.).
- Travel only via private car with no stops and no other passengers.
- Family or others may transport the student only if they are aware and accept the increased risk of contracting COVID-19 from the student.
- Student must isolate and quarantine at their destination (private room and private bathroom).
- Student and destination occupants must accept responsibility for the increased infectious risk.
For instructions on returning to campus after isolation or quarantine at home, please refer to your COVID-19 Help email.
Long COVID
Long COVID, or post-COVID conditions, are symptoms that occur weeks or months after initial infection. These symptoms may be new, returning, or lingering from the original illness. People who initially had no symptoms may later develop post-COVID conditions. While much is still unknown about Long COVID, information and resources are available.
Additional Support for All Students
Students are encouraged to reach out to the following Cal Poly supportive services to help during quarantine or isolation.
Health Services
Health Services has a 24/7 after-hours nurse advice line to discuss any health-related concerns privately and confidentially: 805-756-1211
Counseling Services and Crisis Services
Counseling Services remains committed to supporting the well-being of all students during these challenging times. Visit the Counseling website for more information or call to schedule an appointment: 805-756-2511
Disability Resource Center (DRC)
Students may make arrangements — as like any other student who misses class due to illness — by coordinating directly with the faculty member to develop arrangements that allow them to receive credit for missed assignments or activities. While faculty are not obligated to do so, arrangements can include:
- A notetaker (while maintaining the confidentiality of the ill student)
- Virtual or makeup exams/classwork
- Other virtual opportunities to maintain engagement
The DRC can help with COVID situations when it affects a student's existing disability or if a student presents with Long COVID. If you continue to experience long-term symptoms that might be associated with your initial COVID diagnosis and would need to explore accommodations related to Long COVID, then please complete DRC’s Student Online Application found on the DRC website and submit documentation completed by your doctor or healthcare provider with the following information:
- A clear diagnosis or statement indicating Long COVID
- A description of your functional limitations associated with your diagnosis
- A description of severity level
- Any medication you might be taking to treat your symptoms, if applicable
- An estimated timeline for recovery
DRC medical documentation guidelines can also be found here.
DRC Contact Information:
Website: DRC Website
Location: Bldg 124 (Student Services, across from Spanos Stadium)
Disability Resource Center
Email: DRC@calpoly.edu
Phone: 805-756-1395
Academic Advising
First-year college students with academic questions and concerns should contact the Mustang Success Center. Continuing students and incoming transfer students should contact their college advising center.