Minot State University will offer multiple opportunities for students to take a COVID-19 test prior to the start of Fall 2020 classes, through a mass testing schedule provided by the North Dakota University System, according to a press release from MSU.

Testing in Minot will be conducted at the Minot State Dome, west concourse on the third floor from 9 a.m. until noon on Aug. 10, 17, 18, 21, 24, and 25.

Williston State College also plans to hold mass testing.

Planned testing in Williston will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at Williston High School (static community event); from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 17 at Williston High School (static community event); from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 23 at Williston State College (campus testing); from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 24 at Williston High School (static community event).

A full list of dates and times are available online at www.ndus.edu/gettested.

The mass testing schedule will utilize all 11 NDUS cities, North Dakota Tribal College locations, and various towns throughout North Dakota. Students do not need to take the COVID-19 test in their college communities and are encouraged to use one of the various testing sites closest to their home. College students are highly recommended to test for coronavirus before they come to campus. Students are recommended to take the test approximately five days before they leave home.

“All areas of the state are being targeted so that students can get tested where they are at, in their hometowns, before packing up and traveling to their campus of choice. For the safety of your friends, family, and yourself, we are asking all students to please get tested at a location of their choice and help us create the safest environment possible for our campus communities,” said NDUS Chancellor Mark Hagerott.

“For the safety of our entire University community, I implore all of our students to get tested during one of these testing events,” said Kevin Harmon, Minot State vice president for student affairs. “Our readiness and ability to follow safety protocols as students arrive on campus will be the determining factor to a successful semester.”

Participants are encouraged to pre-register to facilitate an efficient collection process and minimize the amount of time spent at the testing site. A pre-registration link is on the Department of Health’s website at testreg.nd.gov/.

If results are positive, North Dakota University System and North Dakota Department of Health ask students to follow public health guidelines and isolate at their home or place of residence. Students and employees who live outside North Dakota can participate by going to the nearest NDUS/NDDoH testing site. However, testing closer to home is encouraged if it is available and distance prohibits travel to North Dakota.