Please note that this information is subject to change, and the community will be notified of any changes accordingly.
COVID-19 Testing for the Fall Semester
COVID-19 testing is a critical and mandatory component of Berklee’s health and safety plan for all students, faculty, and staff who are on campus.
Berklee Testing Center
167 Massachusetts Avenue
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Holiday and special hours may vary and will be posted on this page and on the Berklee Hub.
You do not need to schedule an appointment. You will get a notification from Berklee School Testing about your next testing day; on that day, you can go to the testing center anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Testing Center Closures and Holidays
Monday, October 11: Closed
The Berklee Testing Center is closed on Monday, October 11 for Marathon Monday. If you typically get tested on Mondays, please get tested on Tuesday, October 12 (or your next day on campus), and then resume your normal testing schedule.
Baseline Tests upon Arrival
Upon arrival to campus, all members of the Berklee community are required to take two initial (i.e., “baseline”) tests: a BinaxNOW rapid test and a traditional individual PCR test. The use of the rapid test allows us to avoid quarantining everyone upon return to campus as we await results from the PCR test. Both tests in the two-part baseline testing take place at the same time.
You will receive your rapid test results in about 15–20 minutes; the PCR test results will be available in about 24–48 hours.
You can find more information on the Arrival Information page.
Pooled Testing
We are currently using individual PCR tests, and are assessing whether we will switch to pooled testing in the future.
Pooling test samples involves mixing together samples from up to 10 different individuals and testing them together in one batch. This allows for a greater number of people to be tested in a more efficient, economical, and environmentally sustainable way. Schools and organizations around the world are using this testing method today.
If the pool tests positive, every person in the pool will receive a notification to return to the testing center as soon as possible for an individual retest. You can confirm via text that you received the message and will attend your appointment. The follow-up test, called a reflex test, identifies which individual or individuals in the pool are positive. If you are instructed to get reflex testing on a Saturday, note that the testing center's hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (different from the weekday hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
If the pool tests negative, every person in the pool will receive a notification that the results are available in the portal at berklee.schooltesting.org. You will also be notified of your next testing date.
Viewing Your Test Results
We are using a platform called Berklee School Testing, where you will receive your test results. You should have received an email from notify@notify.schooltesting.org with instructions to activate your berklee.schooltesting.org portal account.
Your rapid test result will be available in about 15–20 minutes, and your PCR test result will take about 24–48 hours.
View Your Test Results
If you have trouble accessing the Berklee School Testing portal, please contact the Technology Service Desk at 2238@berklee.edu, berklee.edu/2238 (login required), or 617-747-2238.
To obtain test results for tests conducted prior to August 20, please call the Berklee Testing Center at 617-747-2019.
Positive Test Results
If you test positive, you will get a call from a Tufts Medical Center clinician with next steps.
Testing Frequency
You do not need to schedule an appointment. You will get a notification from Berklee School Testing about your next test; go to the testing center on that day anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Students, faculty, staff, and vendors who are on campus at least one day per week will participate in weekly PCR testing at the Berklee Testing Center.
- Faculty and staff who are on campus periodically will not be a part of pooled testing and must complete the two-part baseline test process at the Berklee Testing Center any day they visit campus or email hremployeerelations@berklee.edu the negative result of a PCR test taken within 72 hours of their planned day on campus.
- Individuals who have received an exemption due to medical or religious reasons will be required to take a PCR test twice a week.
- Students who arrive in Boston partially vaccinated will be required to test twice a week until they have reached full compliance.
It is essential that all community members follow the testing requirements as described above. If you miss your test, you should get tested the next day to stay on track with your weekly testing cadence.
If you miss a week of testing, campus access may be denied, and you will need a negative baseline test result before resuming your regular testing cadence and before your access to campus is reinstated.
Information for Community Members Who Tested Positive Within the Last 90 Days
Berklee will follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance related to positive test results and the 90-day period following those test results. Therefore, if you have previously tested positive, you will not be included in the testing protocol and testing schedule for a period of 90 days after your initial COVID-19 diagnosis. Berklee will remove you from testing requirements until the 90-day post-diagnosis period is complete. Scientific research indicates that individuals will likely continue to test positive for a period of 90 days post-diagnosis, despite the fact that they are no longer infectious. After 90 days following a COVID-19 diagnosis, you will be included in the required testing protocols.
If you tested positive within 90 days of arriving to campus and are cleared to resume your normal activities by a treating physician, you must bring evidence of the COVID-19 diagnosis that indicates the date you were diagnosed and when you were cleared to safely resume activities and interactions before reporting to campus for work or classes.
During the 90-day post-diagnosis period, continue to monitor your health and wellness, and if at any time you exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, contact a medical professional to assess your condition and discuss appropriate next steps:
- Students: Contact the Tufts Medical Team at 617-636-6006, or consult with your primary care physician
- Faculty and staff: Consult with your primary care physician, and contact Scott Runkle, director of benefits, at srunkle@berklee.edu if you need guidance about your benefits.
What to Do if You or Someone You Know Is Symptomatic or Tests Positive
If you exhibit COVID-19 symptoms or receive a positive test result, please do not come to campus; follow the steps below. The nursing staff and Contact Tracing Team are ready to advise you and make sure you are clear on your next steps and receive the care and support you need. The nursing staff is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
If you need help after business hours, please follow these steps:
- Students: Schedule a telehealth appointment via Online Connect, a partnership between Berklee and Tufts Medical Center.
- Faculty and staff: Please contact your primary care provider.
If You Receive a Positive Test Result from the Testing Center
Please wait to hear from the Contact Tracing Team before taking any action, including alerting classmates and colleagues.
- A Tufts Medical Center nurse will call you to inform you of the isolation protocol and advise you on your next steps. Please answer your phone, even if you do not recognize the number.
- The Berklee contact tracer (CT) will call you from the phone number 339-666-2940. The CT will ask you a series of questions to understand if you are symptomatic, if you know how you were exposed, and who your close contacts are.
- The CT will call your close contacts to advise them on their next steps, including whether or not they need to quarantine, and when they should get tested.
If You Receive a Positive Test Result from an External Source
Please submit your results to covidhealthadministrator@berklee.edu immediately. You will then receive a call from the Tufts Medical Center nurse, who will ask followup questions and provide guidance about your next steps. Please answer your phone, even if you do not recognize the number.
If You Are Identified as a Close Contact
The CT will call you from the phone number 339-666-2940 and advise you on your next steps. Please do not go to the Testing Center outside your weekly testing cadence unless you are advised to do so by the CT. Please answer your phone, even if you do not recognize the number.
If You Feel You Have Been Exposed and Have Not Been Contacted
Please email Contact Tracing Team management at cttm@berklee.edu with your name, phone number, and description of your potential contact. Someone will reach out to you to discuss your situation.
If You Are Exhibiting COVID-19 Symptoms
Contact the Testing Center at 617-747-2019 to speak to a nurse who can provide guidance. Do not come to campus for class or work until you have spoken to the nursing staff. Please do not go to the Testing Center outside your weekly testing cadence unless you have been instructed to do so.
Contact Tracing
Contact tracers (CTs) are trained professionals within the Berklee community who reach out to those who have tested positive to help identify people who may have been in close contact with an infected individual. CTs will share isolation and quarantine protocols to help keep our community safe and protected from further spreading of the virus. Berklee CTs are not medical professionals and will not provide medical advice or clinical support. If CTs are unable to get in touch with contacts, they will leave voicemails and send text messages until calls are returned.
General questions regarding contact tracing at Berklee can be directed to cttm@berklee.edu or 339-666-2940.
When will the CT or health care provider contact me?
If your test is positive, the health care provider will call you to inform you of the isolation protocol and what you need to do. Soon after the health care provider calls you, the Berklee CT will call you from this phone number: 339-666-2940. If you do not pick up, they will leave a voicemail asking you to return the call. A text from an unknown number will also be sent to you requesting that you call back a phone number starting with area code 339 as soon as you are able. If you are in class, you will be excused to take the call or call back promptly. We encourage you to call back as soon as possible; the CT will continue calling you until they speak with you.
What will the CT ask me?
The CT will verify your information to ensure your privacy. They will ask for information concerning:
- your likely exposure date;
- with whom you had close contact (within six feet for 15 minutes or more);
- if you were at gatherings;
- if you know how you were exposed; and
- if you have symptoms or not. Note: Even if you are asymptomatic, you may be contagious and need to isolate.
The CT will share the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Berklee community isolation and quarantine protocol, to which you must adhere.
What happens if I test positive?
In addition to getting a call from the health care provider and CT, you can expect the following:
- Your Berklee ID will be deactivated until your isolation or quarantine period is completed. Learn about Berklee’s isolation protocols.
- Before you are cleared to leave isolation and return to campus, a medical provider at Tufts Medical Center will review your health status with you. If you are cleared to return to campus, the provider will ask you to sign a letter with instructions. The letter will be provided to the Berklee COVID-19 health care administrator. One the day of your release from isolation, you will receive an email from the COVID-19 health care administrator. Your ID will be reactivated at this time so you can access campus facilities.
Why do I need to share where I was or who I was with (possible contacts) prior to my test date?
Berklee’s goal is to ensure that everyone you may have been in close contact with is aware of their potential exposure. CTs will share quarantine protocols with your close contacts and make sure they are not exposing others. Sharing who you were with or where you were is critical in helping to contain the spread of the virus.
Please note that all information that you share will be kept private unless you give us permission to share it with your contacts or you directly share your test results with your friends and family with whom you were in contact.
After they call you, the CT will alert the appropriate team so they can support you:
- Students: The CT will alert Student Affairs, and a member of Health and Wellness will notify your faculty members that you are away from in-person classes. No information about your health status will be shared with your faculty members.
- Faculty and staff: The CT will alert Human Resources so they can offer you resources and support.
These teams will be available in case you need anything and will provide further guidance and follow-up. We know that this is a challenging time for you, and we want you to know that Berklee is here to support you. If you have any general questions about contact tracing, please email cttm@berklee.edu.
How will the CTT contact me?
Berklee CTs will contact you by phone from the number 339-666-2940. If you do not answer your phone, the tracer may send you a text message from another phone number, but they will identify themselves as part of the Berklee CTT. Please save this phone number in your cell phone so you know to answer the call when it comes in.
