UCLA COVID protocol updates and public health reminders for fall quarter return
Infectious Diseases Management Team
What you need to know:
- Handwashing, testing, masking and vaccinations are all effective strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19
- Revised UC Vaccine Policy now allows students, faculty and staff to either receive or opt-out of COVID-19 vaccines. UCLA’s deadline to take action is Dec. 1
- A new COVID-19 vaccine is now available and recommended by CDC for all who are eligible
- Students can obtain COVID-19 and flu vaccines from the Ashe Center. UCLA Health is offering flu vaccine clinics for faculty and staff
- Daily COVID-19 exposure notification emails will be discontinued and replaced by CHR and APO website postings
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 facilities (including early care and education centers, UCLA Lab School and Geffen Academy) will follow specific protocols that will be communicated separately.
→ COVID-19 Health Reminders and Protocol Updates
→ COVID-19 and Flu Vaccinations
→ Daily COVID-19 Exposure Notifications Update
Dear Bruin Community:
We hope you had a nice summer and are enjoying the excitement of the new academic year. The Infectious Diseases Management Team has been monitoring the evolving status of COVID-19 and planning for the return of our students, faculty and staff. There has been an increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, and while severity seems to remain low, this is a good reminder to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect yourselves and others. As we begin the new academic year, we want to inform the community about updates to our campus COVID-19 protocols and vaccination policy and to provide health reminders to help reduce the spread of illness in our community.
COVID-19 public health reminders and protocol updates
There are a variety of preventative measures that can be taken to reduce one’s risk of COVID-19 infection, including but not limited to:
Hand-washing
Thorough hand-washing with soap and hot water before, during and after preparing food; before and after eating; or after touching potentially contaminated surfaces or objects for a minimum of 20 seconds is recommended. In the absence of a hand-washing station, hand sanitizer can be used.
Staying home if you are feeling unwell
Those who are or suspect they may be infected with COVID-19, are feeling ill or are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 are urged to stay home and away from others.
Masking
Wearing a well-fitting, highly protective mask is still an effective and recommended precautionary measure against COVID-19, especially when indoors and in crowded areas. See CDC Masks website and LACDPH Masks website for details.
Upgraded masks (i.e. surgical, KN95, N95) are still available to UCLA students, faculty and staff — free of charge — at the UCLA Emergency PPE Supply Store, the John Wooden Center, residence hall front desks and in Ackerman Union at the A-level information window (next to the post office).
COVID-19 testing
COVID-19 PCR testing at UCLA is available from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in partnership with the SwabSeq Laboratory. Tests are available to the UCLA community at no charge via Bruincard through vending machines at the following locations:
- Ackerman Union, south entrance, UCLA Bookstore
- Haines Hall, west entrance
- Pauley Pavilion, north side, adjacent to Bruin Walk
- Neuroscience Building, west entrance
Rapid tests are also available for purchase at the following locations:
- Ackerman Union (A Level) – vending machine
- Haines Hall (west entrance) – vending machine
- Neuroscience Building (west entrance) – vending machine
- Ackerman Union Student Store
- Bruin Health Pharmacy
Also beginning Sept. 25, every U.S. household can place an order to receive four free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. You can request them at this COVID-19 Tests website.
What to do if you test positive for COVID-19
Faculty and Staff
- Staff and faculty who test positive for COVID-19 must report it to UCLA Occupational Health by calling 310-825-6771.
- Occupational Health will provide an individualized assessment, including instructions on isolation and further testing, will notify individuals identified as close contacts (as capacity allows), and will give guidance on when it is safe to return to work. (Employees should notify their supervisor of their return-to-work date.)
Students
- Students who test positive must contact the UCLA Ashe COVID Hotline at 310-206-6217 or exposuremanagementteam@ashe.ucla.edu.
- The Exposure Management Team will provide students with an individualized assessment, including instructions on isolation and further testing, and will notify individuals identified as close contacts (as capacity allows).
More information can be located on the Reporting positive COVID-19 cases page on the UCLA COVID-19 resources website.
A complete list and links to these updated protocols are available on the COVID-19 protocols page.
COVID-19 and flu vaccinations
Updated COVID-19 vaccines are now available which target primary strains that are currently circulating. Staying up to date with the latest COVID-19 immunizations and influenza (flu) immunizations for those who are eligible — as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — is a highly effective measure to reduce the risk of serious illness.
Where to get vaccinated
There are a number of federal, state and local COVID-19 vaccine resources available to the public. Please refer to the LACDPH COVID-19 Vaccines website for a list of locations and options.
UCLA will also be offering vaccine fairs for its students, staff and faculty. Please see below for details.
Students
- COVID-19 and flu vaccinations are available by scheduling an appointment at the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center.
- The Ashe Center is also hosting an Immunization Requirement Fair from Sept. 25–29 in Collins Court at the Wooden Center. Students must schedule an appointment for the fair ahead of time on the UCLA Immunization Requirements website.
Faculty and Staff
- Faculty and staff can make COVID-19 and influenza (flu) vaccine appointments through their medical provider, pharmacy or clinic or at a public vaccination site. Please visit the UCLA Vaccinations page for more information about where to get vaccinated.
- A flu vaccine fair for faculty and staff will also be held at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, B-Level, from Oct. 16–21. Registration information for this event will be shared in the weeks to come.
Flu vaccine vouchers
UC employee and student health plans cover flu vaccination without copays. Employees may also obtain a free flu vaccine voucher (PDF) valid at CVS and Target pharmacies. Employees may take up to 4 hours of paid administrative leave if a vaccination appointment is scheduled during their normal work hours. (Departments may request documentation verifying vaccination appointments from employees who request paid administrative leave.)
UC vaccine policy update and UCLA requirements
The UC Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Interim Revisions was issued and is undergoing the formal process for a proposed policy systemwide review (a more detailed communication will follow).
In accordance with this policy, covered individuals must either be up to date or opt out of the COVID-19 vaccine. The university’s seasonal influenza vaccination program remains an opt-out program.
UCLA students, staff and faculty are required to self-attest to being up to date with COVID-19 and Influenza (flu) vaccinations or affirmatively decline vaccinations by *Dec. 1, 2023. The UCLA COVID-19 Action Center will be available for these steps beginning Oct. 2, 2023.
*Please note that incoming students and new employees will have different deadlines in accordance with the policy.
For UCLA Extension students, these vaccine policy deadlines apply to only those in concurrent enrollment.
To acknowledge that you’ve received the COVID-19 and influenza (flu) vaccines or to state your decision to decline these vaccines, proceed with the following steps:
- Beginning Oct. 2 and no later than Dec. 1, navigate to the UCLA COVID-19 Action Center
- Click on the button “COVID-19 Vaccine Verification” or “Flu Vaccine Verification”
- Select your UCLA affiliation
- Enter your Single Sign-On login credentials and follow the prompts
Complete these steps for both vaccines.
Daily COVID-19 exposure notifications update
UCLA is required under Assembly Bill 2693/Labor Code 6409.6 to inform the workforce and labor unions about COVID-19 exposures in the workplace. UCLA has done this through a daily BruinPost email. As of today, Sept. 22, these daily email reports will be discontinued, and the COVID-19 case dashboard reports will instead be posted on the Campus Human Resources and Academic Personnel Office websites in accordance with AB 2693 posting requirements.
We are aware that there are varying perspectives and comfort levels when considering what actions should be taken to best navigate health and safety in current times. As Bruins, we should respect everyone’s personal choices and continue to work as a community to keep one another safe, especially those who are more vulnerable to illness.
We remain strong in our commitment to our Bruin community, steadfast in our respect for others and excited to be back together for what we hope will be another fantastic year at UCLA.
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
