Updated COVID-19 protocols for organized events

February 7, 2022

COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force

PLEASE NOTE: This protocol does not apply to events held in UCLA Health hospitals or clinical spaces, which must follow UCLA Health protocols for events and gatherings.

Dear Bruin Community:

We are pleased to finally have more of you back on the UCLA campus and realize that some departments and organizations may be planning events to welcome people back and bolster a sense of community. Safety remains our utmost priority as we monitor COVID-19 case rates and guidance from the California Department of Public Health and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to balance the desire and need for in-person events, activities and interpersonal connection, with our commitment to mitigating the spread of the virus.

If you are organizing an event at UCLA, please refer to the updated UCLA Protocol for Organized Events (PDF) early in your planning process to ensure that appropriate measures are in place prior to the event or gathering.This guidance will be in effect until further notice and will be periodically adjusted based on changing public health conditions.

Summary of updated protocols

• Masking is required at all indoor events of any size, and outdoor events with 1,000 or more attendees.
• Food and drink are prohibited at indoor events, including departmental events and gatherings. Removal of masks to consume food and drink increases risk that attendees might contract COVID-19. It can also be difficult in such situations to ensure that physical distance is maintained among people who have removed their masks to eat or drink, thus further increasing risk.
  
  
  • Exceptions to this food and drink protocol are the following:
    • Events that occur in formal campus restaurant establishments, catering venues or dining halls, which must follow LACDPH Guidance for Food and Beverage Services.
    • Events taking place at Pauley Pavilion, which must follow LACDPH Mega Events Protocol and LACDPH Guidance for Food and Beverage Services.
    • Masks in all other situations may be removed briefly to allow for hydration or medically-necessary consumption of food as appropriate.
• Mega events (indoor/outdoor) can continue under the LACDPH Mega Events Protocol.
  • Mega Events are defined by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) as events with 500 or more attendees indoors, and 5,000 or more attendees outdoors.
• UCLA COVID-19 Clearance Certificate is required for students, faculty and staff.
  • Students, faculty and staff (UCLA affiliates) attending an indoor or outdoor organized event must show their UCLA COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring Clearance Certificate showing “cleared for restaurants and venues” as part of the entry procedures or follow procedures for non-affiliates below. See UCLA Protocol for Restaurants and Other Public Venues (PDF).
  • Additionally, those attending a mega event must show their UCLA COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring Clearance Certificate showing “cleared for mega events” or comply with the non-affiliate requirements. Those who do not have evidence of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 are required to present proof of a negative antigen test within 1 day, or PCR test within 2 days, in compliance with the LACDPH Order (PDF) and CDPH Mega Events December 13, 2021 update.
• COVID-19 vaccine verification or proof of negative test is required for non-UCLA community members.
  • Non-UCLA community members (non-affiliates) attending an indoor or outdoor organized event must show proof of being fully vaccinated or a negative COVID-19 test upon entry per the UCLA Protocol for Restaurants and Other Public Venues (PDF).
  • Additionally, those who do not have evidence of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 are required to present proof of a negative antigen test within one day or PCR test within two days in order to attend a mega event in compliance with the LACDPH Order (PDF) and CDPH Mega Events Guidance.

Although local case numbers and new infection numbers are declining, this is still an active pandemic and we must continue to be cautious. The health and safety of our colleagues, friends, family, neighbors and community members depends on us taking a responsible and cautious approach to all group activities.

Thank you for your continued cooperation.

Sincerely,

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

Megan McEvoy
Professor, Institute for Society and Genetics,
     Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics
Co-chair, COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force