Lifting of testing requirement follows expiration of national emergency

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services established May 11, 2023 as the expiration date of the COVID-19 Federal Public Health Emergency. With the federal emergency lifted, Louisville MSD chose May 15, 2023 as the expiration date for required COVID-19 testing of our contractors, consultants, suppliers and vendors.

The May 15 date was chosen to first allow for the dispersal of thousands of people from all over the world who gather in Louisville to celebrate the Kentucky Derby and associated events in early May.

This change means that, effective May 15, 2023, those doing business on MSD controlled facilities will no longer have to submit weekly COVID-19 test results for their unvaccinated employees. However, those who test positive for COVID-19 are still barred from MSD facilities for whatever isolation period is recommended by state and federal public health officials. Anyone with COVID symptoms, especially fever, is discouraged from entering MSD facilities, whether or not they have tested positive for the virus.

Expiration of required COVID-19 testing does not affect the Mandatory Vaccination and Testing Policy adopted by the MSD Board on November 15, 2021. The policy, which addresses all infectious disease outbreaks, remains in effect.