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October 28, 2021

In Case You Missed It

Housing Enters Phase 2

Residential students are currently in Phase 2, which means students are no longer required to wear face coverings in their own residential unit (apartments or suites). However, masks are still required indoors in all shared spaces and visitors are not allowed in any indoor residential spaces, including residents from other units. After fall break (Nov. 25-28), housing will return to Phase 1 and all students will resume wearing masks within their residential unit except within personal bedrooms or in the shower.

COVID-19 Related Paid Leave

Campus employees may be eligible for extended emergency paid sick leave or Cal/OSHA leave if they are unable to work in-person or remotely due to a COVID-19 quarantine or isolation order; if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and are receiving medical treatment; or if they are caring for an individual or child who is quarantined or whose place of care is closed due to COVID-19. 

Student Employee Symptom Screening

Daily screening requirements remain in effect for all employees and students who are studying, working and living on campus, regardless of vaccination status. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, you must conduct a test. Student employees, including teaching assistants, should only use the student daily screener. If you are concerned about an exposure or have questions about your symptom screener instructions, you can reach out to the UC San Diego COVID Testing Support Line at 619-543-8260. 

Upcoming Town Halls

Faculty and Research Town Hall

Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m.

Staff Town Hall

Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 10:30 a.m.
A pathway winding through a green forest

Taking a Breath to Reduce Anxiety 

UC San Diego’s Center for Mindfulness and The Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion have come together to provide daily streams and recordings of mindfulness and compassion sessions to promote mental wellness.

Your Questions Answered

Question: Is testing mandatory for students and campus employees?
Answer: All unvaccinated individuals are required to test twice weekly, between three and five days apart. Weekly testing is recommended for fully vaccinated students and campus employees. And all individuals regardless of vaccination status who develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should test.
Access to COVID-19 testing is available through self-administered kits retrieved from campus vending machines (no appointment needed); provider-observed self-administered testing at Price Center (appointment needed); or provider-administered testing via drive thru (appointment needed).
Question: Who is considered a close contact of someone with COVID-19?
Answer: According to the CDC, a close contact is anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes). An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting from 2 days before they have any symptoms (or, if they are asymptomatic, 2 days before their specimen that tested positive was collected), until they meet the criteria for discontinuing home isolation. Learn more on the Return to Learn Exposure and Contact Tracing page.
Question: What is the Work Location Status Form?
Answer: The Work Location Status form is a tool for UC San Diego to gather information from employees regarding their work locations and schedules. This information is critical for campus space and safety planning, including ensuring appropriate density and occupancy levels in our facilities and for general emergency response needs. 
All UC San Diego employees, including campus and Health, are required to complete and submit the Work Location Status Form
For more information, visit the Return to Learn Questions and Answers page.
If you have specific questions or would like to submit feedback about the Return to Learn program, please email rtl@ucsd.edu.
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