Updates as of November 23, 2021:
- Added additional resources
On November 4, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published its updated guidance for Institutions of Higher Education. The following resources are intended to help California Institutes of Higher Education formulate and implement plans for safe, successful, and full in-person instruction.
Vaccinations are a safe and effective way of preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death, and are the most important resource for keeping campus communities safe.
Vaccination is encouraged for all eligible students, faculty, and staff.
Additionally, all Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) must comply with current CDPH Masking Guidance for all unvaccinated students, staff and faculty.
Below are some additional resources for IHE:
Consider CDC Recommendations for Colleges, Universities, and Higher Learning. Note additional prevention measures that IHE may consider particularly in areas designated by the CDC as having substantial to high transmission rates.
For testing recommendations in various scenarios, please see CDPH Testing Guidance. Testing should be considered as an approach to COVID-19 prevention and early detection to further mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission, especially amongst the unvaccinated.
See the Guidance: Beyond the Blueprint Framework for Industry and Business Sectors, with Limited Exceptions for sporting and other large indoor/outdoor live performances that may be considered Mega Events.
See CDPH Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Persons to learn about safer activities for fully vaccinated individuals.
See CDC's Recommendations for Domestic and International Travel.
Learn more about CA Notify and encourage staff and students to sign up as an added layer of protection for unvaccinated students, staff and faculty so that they can receive alerts when in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. A Partner Toolkit is also available for downloadable handouts, frequently asked questions (PDF), social media and videos to share with your campus community.
The CDPH and Cal/OSHA interim guidance for ventilation, filtration, and air quality provides resources for reducing the spread of COVID-19 in indoor settings.
The CDC and NCAA Resocialization of College Sports (PDF) and California
Community College Athletic Association provides information, recommendations and requirements for student-athletes in fall, winter and spring sports practice and competition, including determination of risk levels and additional prevention, mitigation and treatment of COVID-19 for student-athletes.
Review the current Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) for current requirements as a covered employer. Information and requirements in the event of outbreaks on your campus can be found on the Cal/OSHA Site, in addition to any relevant testing requirements for employees and reporting requirements. For more considerations and explanation of the regulations, see the FAQs on Outbreaks. CDPH's Responding to COVID-19 at the Workplace Guidance also provides specific definitions on what constitutes an outbreak and all required reporting requirements.
Originally published on July 15, 2021