The University of Kansas says it plans to test all students and employees for the coronavirus as the fall semester starts. Chancellor Doug Girod said KU partnered with a lab in Lenexa for the thousands of required saliva tests.
In a video message Wednesday, Girod said testing will continue throughout the semester.
“I think that’s the safest way to get our campus open,” he said. “We want to make sure we start the year out with as healthy of a start as we possibly can.”
Kansas State University and other schools in Kansas have announced steps including requiring masks, but so far none have announced required tests for all students and employees.
The tests will be free for staff and students at KU, but it isn’t clear how much the testing will cost the school. Girod said the university is working with the state and county on funding.
When asked about the cost, a KU spokesperson said the plan is still taking shape.
KU will also set aside on-campus housing so students who live in the dorms have a place to quarantine if they test positive for the virus.