Dear Students,

We wanted to resend this email as a reminder to carefully consider any plans you may have to travel during Spring Break. 

Although COVID-19 numbers in Santa Barbara County appear to be improving, many students traveling away from Santa Barbara and returning after spring break could cause a significant spike in COVID-19 cases. We all join you in eagerly anticipating returning to campus someday soon. This return to relative normalcy, however, will only be possible if we all continue to be diligent in wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and avoiding large gatherings. 

If you do plan to travel over Spring Break, please be sure to get a COVID-19 test both before you leave and after your return and plan to self-quarantine for 10 days post-travel. (Students can schedule a test at Student Health free of charge on the Student Health Portal.) We urge you to consider our campus community and the broader Isla Vista and Santa Barbara communities as you make decisions regarding travel. It has been a long year of the pandemic, but the end is in sight and will be here that much sooner if we all continue to work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Wishing you all a safe and relaxing break before the spring quarter begins,

Margaret Klawunn, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Vejas Skripkus, M.D.
Executive Director, Student Health Service & University Physician

Sharleen O'Brien, Psy.D.
Associate Dean & Director, Health & Wellness
Dear Students,

We hope you are having a good winter quarter. As spring break approaches, we understand that you may be considering plans for a fun and relaxing week. That said, traveling remains a risky activity with regard to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and so, consistent with local and state guidelines, we strongly discourage traveling for leisure. According to the current California state travel advisory, Californians should not travel farther than 120 miles from their home and traveling to other states is strongly discouraged. If you do plan to travel during spring break in spite of public health and university guidance, please be sure that you self-quarantine for 10 days upon your return. It is also very important that you consult county guidelines frequently as the travel advisory requirements change rapidly based on the needs of our community. You can view Santa Barbara County Public Health Guidelines for travel here. 
COVID-19 testing is available at Student Health free of charge to all students, regardless of their insurance plan. You can schedule a test, whether you are traveling or not, on the Student Health Portal. Students experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 will be tested at Student Health. Asymptomatic tests take place at Linda Vista and Loma Pelona sites. Although we hope you will all stay where you are over spring break, anyone leaving and planning to return to the Santa Barbara area for spring quarter should be tested both before departure and after returning. If you test positive for COVID-19 before traveling, do not travel. You will need to isolate until cleared by Student Health.
REMEMBER!
As a reminder, the COVID-19 test is an indicator of COVID-19 status only at the time of testing. If you have been exposed either shortly before or after your test, you can still develop COVID-19 before you leave or while you are gone. Although testing accuracy is improving, you can still have a false negative test. Quarantining even after a negative test result can help reduce your risk of carrying the virus home to loved ones.
Because we hope many of you will choose NOT to travel away from campus over spring break this year, the dining commons will remain open during spring break for students with meal plans.
We know that this has been a long, challenging time. It is disappointing to once again cancel plans that we made in hopes that travel would be safe by spring break. If we all continue to wear masks, maintain physical distance, and stay at home, the day will come when we are able to travel freely again. We urge you to stay home for spring break so that we will be able to welcome you back to campus as soon as it is safe to do so.

Be well,

Margaret Klawunn, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Vejas Skripkus, M.D.
Executive Director, Student Health Service & University Physician
Sharleen O'Brien, Psy.D.
Associate Dean & Director, Health & Wellness
COVID-Friendly Fun in Santa Barbara
We appreciate all of you who will be staying in Santa Barbara over the break! Here are a few suggestions of local outdoor adventures that you can undertake while following COVID protocols over spring break:
Elings Park has beautiful views of Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands. Hike to the top of the hill to visit with the llamas, goats, and sheep that groom the hillside.
Make a reservation to visit the Santa Barbara Zoo.
Explore Ellwood Mesa. Easily accessible from campus, this beautiful area has miles of walking trails, scenic eucalyptus groves, and striking coastal views. On a clear day you can often see 3 or more of the Channel Islands!
If you’re up for more of an adventure, check out one of the many hikes accessible from various points around Santa Barbara and Montecito.
West Wind Drive-In Movie Theater is located very close to campus off Hwy 217 in Goleta. 
UC Santa Barbara | Division of Student Affairs
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Student Life | 2260 SRB | University of California
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