The Riverside County Public Health order requires UC Riverside to minimize the number of people on campus while maintaining the critical functions of the university. This is an unprecedented global pandemic with rapidly changing circumstances that require the campus to make all efforts to comply with this public health declaration.

The campus closure is intended to remove UCR employees from the physical campus through April 3 unless they are identified as essential personnel who perform critical functions that can only be conducted on-site. All others will either remote work or, if their jobs cannot be done remotely, are eligible for 14 days of administrative leave, as indicated in yesterday’s message.  

For essential personnel supporting critical campus functions on campus, the CDC recommends social distancing measures, which include but are not limited to:

1. Supervisors implementing flexible work hours (e.g., staggered shifts) to minimize person-to-person contact.

2. Maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible.

This closure also affects campus gatherings and events. All in-person, non-essential gatherings on campus are suspended, until further notice. In addition, Governor Newsom has advised all Californians aged 65 and older to isolate at home.

Employees wishing to briefly return to campus to retrieve materials needed to work remotely must contact their department head/chair for approval in advance. They should also contact their supervisor to secure access to their office if needed.

If this approach is not feasible for some reason, supervisors may contact the Central Plant at 951‑827‑4677 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. to provide access to offices/labs for personnel to retrieve personal items. After March 17 or after-hours, UCR Police may be contacted at 951‑827‑5222 for service.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.