Mellow Yellow

From an email circulated today:

COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force

L.A. County continues to see promising declines in COVID-19 cases and has advanced to the least restrictive yellow tier in the state's pandemic response plan. New permissible activities went into effect on May 14 through the issuance of an updated Health Officer Order (PDF).

Dear Bruin Community:

We are happy to announce that UCLA is adopting several of these new allowances and expanded activities, effective immediately. Below is a summary of some of these changes (this is not an all-inclusive list, so please refer to the L.A. County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) Protocols for Institutes of Higher Education for details (PDF):

Cleaning protocols have been updated to align with the less stringent CDC guidance, with a focus on thorough cleaning rather than extensive disinfection (NOTE: Spaces occupied by an individual with COVID-19 who is self-isolating remain subject to more stringent disinfection protocols).

Restaurants on campus can operate indoors at 50% capacity with up to six individuals from up to six households allowed to sit together at the same table if fully vaccinated, otherwise only up to three households can sit together. Outdoors, up to eight households can be seated together (as a party of eight) if all are fully vaccinated.

Visit Plateia and ASUCLA for the latest hours and updates. This guidance does not change current operations for our residential dining halls and please refer to the dining website  for the latest schedule and updates.

Gyms can operate indoors at 50% capacity. Hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms may reopen. Please refer to the UCLA Recreation facilities webpage for reopening dates, updated operations and hours for the John Wooden Center and Kinross Recreation Center.

In-person activities and events are still recommended to be virtual or outdoors as much as possible. In all cases, they must follow the relevant LACDPH Protocol (NOTE: These are updated capacity limits that supersede our campuswide message from May 5):

Appendix CC: Informal Social Gatherings (PDF) increases outdoor social gatherings to 100 max and indoor 50% capacity or 50 people max.

Appendix BB: Protocol for Private Events (PDF) increases outdoor private events to 200 max, and 400 max if all guests are tested or show proof of vaccination. Indoor private events are not permitted at this time, unless all guests show proof of vaccination or negative test and then the limit is up to 200.

Appendix Z: Outdoor Seated Live Events and Performances (PDF) increases seating to 67% capacity with “controlled mixing” of vaccinated and unvaccinated people, and in-state participants only with the exception of Graduation Ceremonies — see LACDPH Graduation FAQ (PDF).

Appendix Z1: Indoor Seated Live Events and Performances (PDF) increases venues less than or equal to occupancy of 1,500 to 25% capacity or 300 max, and for venues greater than 1,500 occupancy to 10% capacity or 2,000 max and in both instances, 50% max capacity if all guests are tested or show proof of vaccination.

As a reminder, per Cal OSHA regulations, these event allowances do not apply in instructional, research or workplace settings at this time.

While this expansion is positive news in light of dramatic improvements in local health conditions, please note that the L.A. County Health Officer Order (PDF) remains in effect, and despite the recent announcement from the CDC and President Biden about flexibilities with masking outdoors, UCLA must continue to follow the stricter guidance of LACDPH and Cal/OSHA for wearing face masks on UCLA property. Requirements are listed below:

Face masks are required for everyone outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including when attending outdoor events on the UCLA campus.

Individuals are not required to wear a face mask when on campus in their own personal living space, when alone in a closed office, or when eating or drinking in a designated dining area.

Cal/OSHA still requires employees, including student employees, to wear masks on UCLA property when in contact or likely to be in contact with others.

Thank you for continuing to follow these public health guidelines and for doing your part to keep yourselves and our communities healthy.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Beck Administrative Vice Chancellor Co-chair, COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force

Michael Meranze Immediate Past Chair, UCLA Academic Senate Professor of History Co-chair, COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force

Whatever you call it, it's good news:

Or direct to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64mb_hUOb4g.