Dear Members of the UCR Campus Community,

This week, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) issued its latest guidance on workplace requirements for workplace safety. As of today, at UCR:

• Fully vaccinated employees and students may work indoors without face coverings, except for staff in health care settings and programs with children under 12 years of age, per Cal/OSHA requirements.
• Unvaccinated employees and students must continue to wear masks indoors, unless alone in a room or a vehicle, and must remain at least six feet from others when eating or drinking indoors.
• Physical distancing and barriers between workers are no longer required, regardless of vaccination status. Increased transmission levels may require a return to masking and distancing, so increasing vaccination rates is critical.
• There will be no occupancy limits beyond those required by fire code. This means that all worksites, including labs, can now operate at 100%.
• Forms and exceptional approvals are no longer required for on-campus or UCR-sponsored events and gatherings. This means that plans can now be made for in-person events.
• The UC President has rescinded travel directives. Exceptional approval for travel is no longer required. University travelers must follow CDC Guidance before, during, and upon return from travel.

These current processes will continue to remain in place:

• Students and employees entering any UCR-owned or controlled space must complete the Daily Wellness Survey, indicating any symptoms or positive test results. Individuals may also contact the UCR COVID-19 Wellness Hotline (1-844-827-6827) with questions, or to request a link for visitors to complete the Daily Wellness Survey.
• Worksite-specific plans (WSSP) must be on file with the Operations Continuity Workgroup and must be updated to increase occupancy in research facilities beyond the current 50% rate.
• Online COVID-19 prevention training is required before returning to campus.

The UC System SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program will be implemented on our campus at a specific date to be determined after its final issuance on July 15, 2021. At that point, all students, faculty, and staff will be required to upload proof of vaccination or request an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Information will be forthcoming about how to apply for an exemption. Employees granted exceptions may be required to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and are subject to ongoing COVID-19 testing. Moreover, the Daily Wellness Survey will be adapted to include the updated Cal/OSHA, CDPH, and CDC guidance for vaccinated individuals, and responses will determine individual requirements for the use (or non-use) of face coverings. 

Prior to July 15th, vaccinated employees will receive a confirmation email from the UCR COVID-19 Management Team that they are cleared to be on campus without PPE or face coverings. Upon receipt of this email, employees may voluntarily share this email with their direct supervisor, but are required to continue completing the Daily Wellness Survey when coming to campus.  

If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to submit proof of vaccination on the Employee COVID Vaccine Tracking Form. If you do this by July 15th, you’ll receive a free R’Card ($30 value) and $5 in Bear Bucks that you can use or donate to the R’Pantry. Once the vaccine mandate has been issued on July 15th, supervisors will receive additional guidance on managing employees who are cleared to return to campus, cleared with accommodations, or not cleared to return. The specific protocols governing return to the campus for those whose jobs have not required physical presence on campus will evolve in the coming months. 

Please visit the UCR Campus Return web site for updates and more detailed information.

As we strive to return to normal campus operations, I appreciate everyone’s commitment to their individual health and the well-being of others.