COVID-19 safety reminders for winter break
Infectious Diseases Management Team
What you need to know:
- COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) all pose risks this holiday season
- Vaccinations and boosters urged
- Masking advised when in public, traveling and/or attending group events, especially indoors
- COVID-19 testing strongly recommended before and after traveling, attending gatherings, and returning to campus
Note: Those who work in UCLA Health clinical areas (including medical, dental and nursing clinics) will receive communications directly from UCLA Health regarding COVID-19 protocols.
UCLA PreK-12 (including early care and education centers, UCLA Lab School and Geffen Academy) will communicate separately regarding guidance on COVID-19 protocols.
Dear Bruin Community:
The holiday season is upon us and soon we will be marking the end of fall quarter and the beginning of winter break. This past quarter, our collective efforts to stay up-to-date on vaccinations and approach activities with personal wellness and public health in mind helped our campus return to a greater degree of “normalcy.” Approaching upcoming group events and family outings with a similar degree of thoughtfulness and care will help us further pull ourselves out of the public health crises of the past several years.
This fall, we are experiencing three public health challenges: COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These viruses are of great concern to our communities and amplify the need for continued vigilance when it comes to avoiding illness.
Below are several reminders as we prepare for UCLA’s winter closure, which runs from Friday, Dec. 23, 2022 through Monday, Jan. 2, 2023.
Masking
Masking in public and group settings, especially when indoors, is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of exposure to and transmission of illnesses. Masks are available to UCLA students, staff and faculty — free of charge — at the UCLA Emergency PPE Supply Store, the John Wooden Center, residence hall front desks, the Student Activities Center and in Ackerman Union at the A-level information window (next to the post office).
COVID-19 Testing
Testing for COVID-19 before and after attending a gathering or event, and before and after travel, is strongly encouraged. Testing is also strongly recommended when returning to campus following winter closure. On-campus residents are encouraged to test upon return to the Hill and then again 3-5 days later.
As a reminder, PCR tests are available at no charge to UCLA students, staff and faculty through UCLA’s campus testing program. There are plans to consolidate some of these sites in early winter quarter. Details of these changes will be shared in January once plans are finalized.
Wastewater testing of on-campus housing facilities also remains in effect.
Additional reminders
- Get vaccinated for COVID-19 and flu, and boosted with the most recent bivalent COVID-19 option, if eligible
- When traveling, monitor COVID-19, flu and RSV case rates in destination and adjust plans, if necessary
- Practice good hand-washing hygiene and carry hand-sanitizer
- Keep physical distance between yourself and others
- Cough/sneeze directly into a tissue and immediately dispose of it in the trash
- Monitor yourself for symptoms of illness
- Avoid others if you are feeling ill or may have been exposed to someone who is ill.
See LACDPH Guidance for Holiday Safety for additional information.
We appreciate your continued efforts to curb the transmission of infectious diseases and protect the health and well-being of your fellow Bruins as well as those in our broader communities. We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Tim Groeling
Professor, Department of Communication
Co-chair, Infectious Diseases Management Team
Michelle A. Sityar
Chief of Staff, Administration
Co-chair, Infectious Diseases Management Team
