Remote start to winter quarter instruction and COVID-19 booster requirement
December 21, 2021
COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force
Dear Bruin Community:
In light of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, we are making changes to the start of winter quarter to reduce the risk of a rise in new COVID-19 cases at UCLA:
Classes will begin on Jan. 3 as scheduled.
Classes will be held remotely for the first two weeks of the winter quarter (some exceptions may apply for clinical courses).
We intend to return to in-person instruction on Jan. 18.
All students should still plan to return to campus no later than Jan. 9 to participate in a robust COVID-19 testing program that will help keep our community healthier. Faculty and staff returning to campus after the break will also participate in a testing regimen.
Consistent with the UC systemwide vaccine policy (PDF), UCLA is requiring vaccine boosters for all who are eligible. Proof of vaccine boosters is required by Jan. 18 for students and Jan. 31 for employees coming to campus.
If conditions change, we will evaluate appropriate adjustments based on criteria within the UCLA COVID-19 Pivot Plan and Decision Matrix (PDF) and communicate them to the campus.
This new safety protocol will help us to quickly identify the presence of COVID-19 in our community while limiting major disruption of campus activities and reducing the risk of serious complications from COVID-19.
Detailed procedures for students, faculty and staff returning to campus after the break appear below. Additionally, we have compiled answers to frequently asked questions, which are listed at the end of this message.
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Vaccine boosters
Getting vaccinated remains an effective strategy for reducing the severity of COVID-19, is recommended by the CDC and is required as part of the UC policy on vaccination (PDF). Per the policy, vaccine boosters are required for all faculty, academic personnel, staff, trainees, students, and others accessing university facilities and programs who are eligible to receive them.
Eligible UCLA faculty, staff and students must obtain their COVID-19 booster shots as soon as possible. Students must upload proof to the Ashe Student Portal by Jan. 18. Faculty and staff must provide proof through the UCLA Symptom Survey/Vaccine Verification System by Jan. 31 (the survey will be updated in early January to allow for booster proof to be uploaded). This booster requirement applies to those who plan to work on site at least part- or full-time during the winter term. This booster requirement does not apply to those who are working fully remotely or those who have an approved exception.
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Testing
Students
Please note: UCLA Extension and K-12 students will receive additional guidance from their respective programs.
All students should return to Westwood no later than Jan. 9 to participate in a campus COVID-19 testing program that will help keep our community healthier. Campus housing will reopen as scheduled on Jan. 1 and students may return as they previously planned.
Regardless of vaccination status, returning students need to take COVID-19 tests at three different times:
Students should take a COVID-19 test from a provider of their choice no more than 72 hours before coming back to Westwood. Any student who tests positive must isolate for 10 days before returning to UCLA.
Immediately upon returning to campus, students must test again using a UCLA-provided test, as follows:
Students living in university-owned on-campus housing must take a free COVID-19 rapid test that will be distributed upon check in. Students who test positive upon arrival will be asked to return home to isolate for 10 days, if feasible, or will be placed in campus isolation housing.
Students living in university-owned off-campus apartments must take a free COVID-19 rapid test that will be distributed at their front desk.
Students not living in university-owned housing must come to campus to obtain a free COVID-19 test through our campus vending machines and distribution centers, and deposit the sample in the marked collection bins.
All students must take another test three to five days after returning from winter break, but no later than Jan. 13. This test must be obtained from a campus vending machine or distribution center.
In all cases, any student who tests positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for 10 days.
Effective immediately, all students — regardless of vaccination status — must test at least 1x per week (2x per week is strongly recommended) through the campus testing program for the duration of winter quarter per the UCLA Community Screening Protocol (PDF). Students coming to campus over the winter break for research or other activities must test at least 1x per week over the break as well (please note some limited processing periods during this time). These requirements are subject to modification as conditions change.
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Faculty and staff
Please note: Faculty and staff working in UCLA hospitals and clinics should follow guidance issued by UCLA Health.
Staff who have been working fully remotely during the fall term should continue to work remotely through the end of January. Anyone previously working in a full-time in-person or hybrid fashion should continue to follow their previous schedule, unless otherwise directed by their supervisor. This will help us manage the additional logistical challenges posed by our newly modified protocols.
Regardless of vaccination status, faculty and staff who are returning to campus after the winter break are asked to take COVID-19 tests at three different times:
Faculty and staff should take a COVID-19 test from a provider of their choice no more than 72 hours before returning to on-site work.
Immediately upon arrival to campus, all faculty and staff must test again, either through the free COVID-19 campus vending machines and distribution centers, or via a COVID-19 rapid test if available in your department.
All faculty and staff must take another test three to five days after returning from winter break. This test must be obtained from a campus vending machine or distribution center.
Any faculty or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for 10 days.
Effective immediately, all faculty and staff — regardless of vaccination status — must test at least 1x per week (2x per week is strongly recommended) through the campus surveillance testing program for the duration of winter quarter, per the UCLA Community Screening Protocol (PDF). Faculty and staff coming to campus over the winter break for research or other activities must test at least 1x per week over the break as well (please note some limited processing periods during this time). These requirements are subject to modification as conditions change.
In addition to these new procedures, all faculty, staff and students must continue to follow regular campus health protocols, including wearing face masks indoors. We strongly encourage members of the community also to wear masks in outdoor environments while among other people. Additionally, everyone living, learning or working on UCLA properties must continue to complete the UCLA COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring and Vaccination Verification System Survey before arriving on or going out onto campus each day, regardless of vaccination status.
For more information about staying healthy over the break, refer to our winter travel reminders.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we plan for a safer start to 2022. Thank you for your commitment to keeping our Bruin community healthier as we continue to navigate this pandemic and the many challenges it poses for all of us.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Beck, Administrative Vice Chancellor
Co-chair, COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force
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Megan McEvoy
Professor, Institute for Society and Genetics, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics
Co-chair, COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force
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