LA JOLLA, Calif. (KGTV) -- Students and employees at UC San Diego now have an easier way to get their required COVID-19 tests.
You won't be getting a Snickers bar from the 11 new vending machines at UC San Diego. There is only one product inside — self-administered COVID-19 test kits.
For students at UC San Diego, this is the new normal.
"I was uncomfortable at first, but then after doing it a bunch of times, I got used to it," freshman Andy Goodman said.
"It's like my 20th time since I've been here. I'm not lying. We get tested every week," sophomore Citlaly Magana said.
Over the last few months, many students and staff were making appointments to get a test done by a nurse at Price Center. But now, the school has installed the vending machines near every residence hall.
The locations are:
- Muir College | Roots Restaurant
- Seventh College | Next to the Parcel Center
- Nuevo East (Porton) | Outdoor Gym Area
- Price Center | First Floor Across from Burger King
- Thurgood Marshall College (Lower) | TMC Residence Life Lobby
- Warren College | Across from the Residence Life Office
- Eleanor Roosevelt College | Next to the Laundry Room
- Village at Pepper Canyon | Lodge
- South Mesa | 9126 Laundry Room
- One Miramar | Next to the Parcel Center
- Central Mesa | Next to Laundry Room - Coming in winter 2021
"Here, it's easier because I can just walk 40 feet away," Goodman said.
The steps: Grab a free test kit, swab outside, and return the vile within 72 hours. Results should be back in less than two days.
The University says eventually, the contact-less vending machines will be replacing the setup they have now at Price Center.
Students like Magana, who are returning to campus after winter break, have a much stricter testing protocol.
"I'm currently coming back from LA, so I have to get it done within 24 hours of my arrival, and then five days, and then ten days," Magana said.
So the vending machines are already proving to be a much more convenient and preferable option for many.
"The vending machine makes it so accessible," sophomore Issa Eddy said. "Especially if you have something to do, you have five minutes to go do something, then you can come here and get it."
Starting January 2, 2020, UCSD students must get tested at least once a week. If they fail to do so, they will be referred to the student conduct office and go through their 'Progressive Discipline Process.'