Purpose 

To provide an informative resource for UC Riverside faculty, staff, and students returning to campus following guidance from California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) . This COVID-19 Prevention Plan includes the prevention measures the campus has put in place and what specific responsibilities are placed on faculty, staff, and students returning to campus, and essential personnel remaining on campus to ensure the safety of the entire campus community. This has been updated to reflect the January 14, 2022 CalOSHA Emergency Temporary Standard revision.

Download the COVID-19 Prevention Plan

Personal Protocols

Each faculty, staff, and student shall follow established protocols to limit the spread of COVID-19 on campus.

• Training

  Training:
  Each employee returning to work on campus must complete the COVID-19 Prevention online training course, which will discuss UCR's policies and procedures to protect individuals from COVID-19 hazards. To access the training, visit R'Space, and click on the UC Learning Center (LMS).

  All UCR employees, whether working on campus or remotely, will receive an email notification providing instructions on how to access the course through the UC Learning Center. Training completion is required prior to returning to work on campus. Employees who have returned to campus must complete the course as soon as reasonably possible. Supervisors will receive an email notification when employees complete the course. New employees must complete the training.

• COVID-19 Vaccine

  UC Vaccination Policy
  Vaccination is effective at preventing COVID-19, protecting against both transmission and severe illness or death. All UCR faculty, staff and student employees must comply with the UC vaccination policy.

  The UC Office of the President (UCOP) is presently in the process of reviewing the UC vaccination policy, with plans to implement updates in August 2023.  As soon as the revised policy is approved, we will swiftly update the information and provide the latest details.  Here is the May letter we received from President Drake regarding important updates on COVID-19 vaccination requirements at the University. The following key points have been highlighted:

  • Each year, students and employees will be required to either receive the COVID-19 vaccination or officially decline it.
  • Documentation of receiving a COVID-19 primary vaccine series will no longer be necessary for students and employees. Consequently, there will be no need for submitting approved medical or religious exceptions, or disability deferrals to access campus facilities.
  • Look out for future communications from the campus regarding the process of attesting or declining the COVID-19 vaccine similarly to the flu vaccine.

  Submitting Your Vaccine Record
  Immunization records are housed in the HIPAA-secure system (also called PNC) used by our student and employee population. PNC provides multiple advantages for storing and managing confidential employee and student vaccination records based on what the individuals provide us. Submit your proof of vaccination to the patient portal. A video tutorial is available online. If, for some reason, you cannot log in or submit your vaccine records using your UCR Net ID, don’t hesitate to contact COVID19@ucr.edu or call 844-827-6827 and select option number 1.

• COVID-19 Testing

  Testing Procedures for Students & Employees

  We would like to bring to your attention that there have been changes to federal and state public health guidance. As of May 11, 2023, the federal Public Health Emergency has ended, and UC is implementing a systemwide COVID-19 vaccination opt-out program for UC students and employees. Consequently, COVID-19 staff support will end on 06/30, and weekly COVID-19 testing is no longer be required on campus for students and employees who are compliant with the UC Vaccine Policy or have an approved exception or deferral.

  The campus will continue to make available antigen test kits to faculty and staff using  the antigen kit request form. We would like to emphasize that these tests are provided for your protection and convenience. However, please note that they are limited due to the end of the federal Public Health Emergency. If you require COVID testing, it is recommended to use over-the-counter Antigen tests. PCR testing may be available through your primary care provider or at local clinics and pharmacies. We encourage you to test when you have symptoms or have exposure, before and after travel or attending events. Reporting positive cases of COVID-19 through the Screening Check is still required.

  Testing Kits

  Availability of Testing Kits no longer mandatory.

  Testing kits for antigen detection are currently available exclusively for faculty and staff members. Student should contact The Well for testing kits.

  • If you have symptoms, please stay home, use an at-home antigen test and contact your doctor or Student Health.
  • To ensure equitable distribution, the kits will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

  Please take note of the following details for kit pickup:

  • Pickup Days and Hours: starting 06/19 Kits can be picked up only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. The last pickup time is at 3:50 pm.
  • Location: EH&S ; See Map.

  REQUEST A KIT

• COVID Screening Check

  COVID Screening Check

  UC Riverside students, employees, and visitors are required to fill out the COVID Screening Check to report: 

  • A positive COVID-19 test result.
  • COVID-19 symptoms (symptoms from a known or chronic condition such as allergies, asthma, etc. are not considered COVID-19 symptoms for this report)
  • Exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 (exposure is defined as close contact with a known positive person for more than 15 minutes in a 24-hour period)
  • Reporting from an outbreak on campus.

  Accessing the COVID Screening Check 

  Employee report positive cases below:

  SCREENINGCHECK.UCR.EDU 

   Students will be reporting into Point and Click (PnC) Please navigate to Point and Click.

  PATIENT PORTAL 

  PNC SOP REPORTING COVID-19 CASE

   

  Confidentiality 

  UCR will keep information about an individual's symptoms confidential, accessible only to those with a need to know in order to address the situation. The information will not be maintained in personnel files. 

  What Happens Next 

  Once the survey is completed, individuals will receive an email with further instructions through either the employee health portal or the student patient portal. 

  Positive Case Procedures

  INSTRUCTIONS FOR COVID-19 CLOSE CONTACT

  Questions 

  If you have questions, please send a message to COVID19@ucr.edu please allow 24 to 48 hours for a response, the COVID-19 Management Center is no longer providing support to UCR.

  Who should report a confirmed positive case, exposure, or COVID-19 like symptoms? 

  All UCR faculty, staff, and students are required to report.

  How to report a confirmed positive case, exposure, or COVID-19 like symptoms? 

  Please report this information by filling out the COVID Screening Check. 

  If I work remotely, do I need to fill out the COVID Screening Check?

  Yes, only if you come to the worksite or you come to campus facilities, you would be required to report a positive case, exposure, or COVID-19 like symptoms.
  If you were exposed to a person with COVID-19 use an at-home antigen test and contact your doctor.

• Face Covering Guidelines

  Effective May 11, 2023 the CDC will no longer calculate the COVID-19 Community Levels as a result of the sunsetting of the federal public health emergency. As a result, CDPH is sunsetting its Guidance for the Use of Face Masks and is recommending all Californians consider the following:

  • Wear a mask around others if you have respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, runny nose, and/or sore throat),
  • If you've had a significant exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, wear a mask for 10 days.
  • When choosing to wear a mask, ensure your mask provides the best fit and filtration (respirators like N95, KN95 and KF94 are best).

  In the event of a workplace outbreak at UCR the employees in the exposed group must wear face coverings indoors or outdoors when less than six feet from another person, unless a medical exception applies. Free masks (N-95 and/or surgical) can be requested at: https://campusreturn.ucr.edu/face-coverings.

  If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please stay at home, use a COVID-19 at-home antigen test, and contact your primary care physician or UCR Student Health Services.  Reporting positive COVID-19 cases through the UCR Screening Check is still required. 
  You may also be required to undergo COVID-19 testing as part of UCR's outbreak protocols.

• Hygiene

  Employees are encouraged to wash their hands with soap for at least 20 seconds or use sanitizer when the sink or handwashing facility is not accessible, preferably every one to two hours, before and after eating, using shared equipment traversing common areas. 
  
  The best way to prevent infection is to practice good hygiene. The main routes for a virus to enter your body are through the eyes, nose, and mouth.

  • Wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds, often throughout the day - at least every hour or two at a minimum.  
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth whenever possible, especially with uncleaned hands. If you touch your face, wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. 
  • If handwashing facilities are not available, hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethyl alcohol content is a good substitute. Make sure to continue to rub your hands on all surfaces, just as you would if washing until the hand sanitizer has evaporated completely. 
  • Avoid touching surfaces like doorknobs and elevator buttons, whenever possible, with bare hands. Use a clean tissue, shirt sleeve, or elbow.   
  • If you cough or sneeze, do so into your elbow or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Tissues must be thrown in the trash, followed by hand washing.
• System for Communicating

  UCR communicates regularly with its faculty, staff and students through a robust set of communication channels to provide important updates to help keep our community healthy. These communication channels include InsideUCR, emails from the Chancellor, emails, websites, signage, social media, webinar and direct communication from schools and colleges. Workplace hazards associated with COVID-19 can be reported via EH&S Report a Public Health Concern.
  Communication Channels

  Campus Return

  EH&S Coronavirus

  Inside UCR

  Student Health

  Campus Signage

• Case Reporting and Investigation

  
  Remote Work Options
  In certain circumstances, employees who have been exposed or tested positive may be able to work or continue to work remote if their job allows. However, this is not a requirement. Prior to making an accommodation for continued work (e.g., work from home) the supervisor/manager, employee and the department HRBP/leave coordinator must discuss the options.
  
  Leave Options
  Employees who have been exposed or tested positive may be eligible for leave options which may include:
  ●    Use of your accrued sick or vacation time
  ●    Other Leave Options including Family Medical Leave (FML)
  ●    Workers’ Compensation
  
  If you have been exposed or tested positive, please contact your Human Resources Business Partner to further discuss leave options and to ensure you are paid appropriately and in a timely manner. If you are instructed to isolate or quarantine, your supervisor will be made aware that you will be absent from work, unless approved to work remotely. Additional information regarding UCR COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring and Procedures is available here. 

  COVID-19 Testing Options
  If you suspect that you have been exposed to COVID-19 at work, employees may obtain a free antigen test Information about free off-campus testing options is available at gettested.ruhealth.org.

  Workers’ Compensation  
  If you suspect you have contracted COVID-19 as a result of your employment with the University, you may be entitled to worker’s compensation benefits. This may include hospital, surgical, and medical treatment, disability indemnity, and death benefits. For more information, please contact workerscomp@ucr.edu.

   

  Reporting Exposures and Positive Tests

  Who should report a confirmed positive case, exposure, or COVID-19 like symptoms? 
  All UCR faculty, staff, and students are required to report.
  
  How to report a confirmed positive case, exposure, or COVID-19 like symptoms? 
  Please report this information by filling out the following surveys:

  Employee report positive cases below:

  screeningcheck.ucr.edu 

   Students will be reporting into Point and Click (PnC) Please navigate to Point and Click.

  Patient Portal 

  PnC SOP Reporting COVID-19 Case

   COVID Screening Check. If you were exposed to a person with COVID-19, please arrange for a COVID-19 test within day three to five after the last date of exposure. More information on testing can be found here. 
  
  Have you been exposed?  
  Please report this information by filling out the following surveys indicate that you may have been exposed.  

  Employee report exposed cases below:

  screeningcheck.ucr.edu 

   Students will be reporting into Point and Click (PnC) Please navigate to Point and Click.

  Patient Portal 

  If your test is positive, you will need to isolate for at least 5 days after start of symptoms (or after date of first positive test if no symptoms). If unable to test, choosing not to test, or testing positive on Day 5 (or later), isolation can end after Day 10 if fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
  For students residents who test positive for COVID-19 will no longer be placed in isolation housing. Rather, they will isolate in their campus housing room, or they can choose to return home for the necessary quarantine period. For any questions, please email housinginfo@ucr.edu and visit housing website for COVID-19 protocols. 

  https://housing.ucr.edu/COVID-19  

  What Happens Next 

  Once the survey is completed, individuals will receive an email with further instructions through either the employee health portal or the student patient portal. 

  Positive Case Procedures

  Instructions For COVID-19 Close Contact

  About Case Investigation

  What is a case investigation?

  • Case investigation is the process of identifying who may have come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Learn more about close contact or exposure here.

  What happens next if I test positive for COVID-19?
  A case investigation will begin within 24 to 48 hours, if any questions please email at COVID19@ucr.edu.The Occupational Health Coordinator reviews the COVID Screening Check survey and if needed, reaches out to the individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 on campus to:

  • Confirm or clarify details about the positive diagnosis.
  • Confirm location while on campus during the highly infectious period, which is defined as two days prior to the onset of symptoms (if symptomatic) or two days prior to the last Positive test (if asymptomatic)
  • Provide direction and support for isolation.
  • Gather information about recent close contacts and on campus social activities. 

  As a next step, UCR Occupational Health Coordinator will provide additional guidance in alignment with public health guidelines. If you have not been contacted, it is very likely that you were not deemed a close contact by the Occupational Health Coordinator. If you still believe you were exposed or in close contact with a person with COVID-19, please send a message to COVID19@ucr.edu. Please allow 24 to 48 hours for a response, the COVID-19 Management Center is no longer providing support to UCR.
  Case Investigation is only attempted for UCR-affiliated individuals, students, staff, faculty, and other individuals working or living on campus or UCR-operated sites.

   

• Reporting, Recordkeeping and Access

  UCR requires the following:

  • Report information about COVID-19 cases at the workplace to Riverside County Public Health whenever required by law, and provide any related information requested by Riverside County Public Health.
  • Report immediately to Cal/OSHA any COVID-19 related serious illnesses or death, as defined by CCR Title 8 section 330(h), of an employee occurring in the place of employment origin connection with any employment.
  • Maintain records of the steps taken to implement the written COVID-19 Prevention Program in accordance with CCR Title 8 3203(b).
  • Make the written COVID-19 Prevention Program available at the workplace to employees, authorized employee representative and to representatives of Cal/OSHA immediately upon request. The campus COVID-19 Prevention Program can be found here.
  • Risk Management will maintain a record of all employee COVID-19 cases.
  • The campus will notify all employees, union and contractors, of positive COVID-19 cases at UCR facilities via email that links to the dashboard listing the workplace locations and date of knowledge when a positive test is known. Positive COVID-19 cases will be communicated within one (1) business day.
• Visitors

  We recognize that visitors, contractors, vendors, and other non-UCR personnel may need to come to campus. Non-UCR-affiliated individuals coming to campus for essential work must self-monitor for COVID-like symptoms before coming to campus. Visitors may be asked to show proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test results.

• Return-to-Work Criteria

  UCR follows California Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines governing return to work criteria. Those criteria can change as more information about SARS-CoV-2 is learned. However, general guidance will be provide through completing the COVID Screening Check, guidance from HR, as well referencing the

   What to Do: Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19

Location-Based Protocols

• Common Areas

  Common Areas: (includes public corridors, lobbies, indoor seating areas, etc.)
  Hand sanitizer stations have been placed at the main entrance of major campus buildings.  Map of station locations.
   Employees are encouraged to wash hands with soap and water frequently after touching door handles and other shared surfaces with bare hands.
  It is important to be respectful of everyone's space during this time. Please adhere to the following guidance.  

  • Wash your hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds. You may use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% ethyl alcohol as an alternative if handwashing is not available. Hand sanitizers with methyl alcohol are prohibited.
• Ventilation

  In coordination with Facilities Services, Environmental Health and Safety will continue to monitor the recommendations and guidance from the WHO, CDC, and American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).  Based on the recommendations, Facilities Services has already taken the following actions:

  • Maximized outside air to increase air circulation 2 hours before and after regular operating hours, so more fresh air being brought into active buildings
  • Ensuring fan systems are functional and operating.
  • Checking that Central HVAC fan filter efficiencies are maximized and within acceptable operating ranges and replaced as necessary. MERV 13 or better filters are used whenever possible.
  • Conducting an air exchange review of all General Assignment classrooms across campus.

  As a reminder, the most effective way to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus is vaccination. For those that are unable to be vaccinated, the use of a mask, hand washing and physical distancing greatly reduce the potential for infection.
  There are instances when outside air quantities in naturally or mechanically ventilated spaces cannot be maximized due to environmental conditions. These conditions include:

  • When the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Air Quality Index is greater than 100 for any pollutant.
  • When the outside air temperature is excessively hot or cold.

  When a worksite has been identified as the location of a COVID-19 outbreak of 3 or more employee COVID-19 cases within a 14-day period, an investigation into issues concerning insufficient outdoor air or insufficient air filtration will be accomplished. Specific indoor tasks may be moved outdoors or performed remotely if increases in outdoor air or air filtration improvement cannot be accomplished due to ventilation system limitations.
  When a worksite has been identified as the location of a COVID-19 outbreak of 20 or more employee COVID-19 cases within a 30-day period, indoor locations with mechanical ventilation will be evaluated to determine if filter efficiency can be increased to filters with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 13 or higher. MERV 13 or higher efficiency filter MERV 13 or higher efficiency filter, then suppose the ventilation system is not compatible with a MERV 13 or higher efficiency filter. In that case, operations within that specific area will be moved to an outdoor location, or the operations will be performed remotely. Portable or mounted High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration units, or other air cleaning systems, will be considered a last resort method to reduce last resort method to reduce transmission risk, where feasible.

  • Do not use campus or grant funds to purchase HEPA or other air filtration units unless there is specific approval from the UCR Senior Industrial Hygienist. Employees may not bring personal HEPA or other filtration units to campus for use. Any personal units found will be unplugged and will be disposed of within 48 hours if not removed.
• Cleaning and Disinfection

  Facilities Services will provide regular cleaning and disinfection services for the campus, focusing on frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, equipment, tools, handrails, handles, controls in public areas such as public restrooms. Departments are required to assist with additional cleaning and disinfection of high-touch areas in spaces assigned to them.
  
  For positive COVID-19 cases, decontamination is based on the last day the individual was on site and how long the space can be left unoccupied. UCR follows CDC recommendations on disinfection after a space was occupied by a COVID-19 positive individual.

• Specific Space Type Considerations

  Drinking Fountains & Hydration Stations:  

  • Facilities Services is adhering to state guidelines and will take action to return water fountain bubblers back into use. Additionally, Facilities Services will continue to work throughout the summer to retrofit some existing first floor campus water fountains with a bottle refill functionality (some were added previously based on building occupancy).
  • Non-touch hydration stations may be used.  The UCR campus map shows hydration station locations.

  Break Rooms: 

  • Encourage employees not fully vaccinated to eat outdoors or at their desks.

  Workshops and Labs:  
  To support the variety and intricacy of research methods or workshop tasks, assessments are best made locally with EH&S support as needed.

  • For shared equipment (i.e., fume hood, biosafety cabinet, tools), establish a cleaning and disinfection plan.
  • Lab coats and safety eyewear should not be shared and should be stored on separate hooks. Shared PPE (i.e., face shields, chemical splash apron) should be cleaned and disinfected between each use. Wear nitrile gloves when using communal gloves (i.e., Cryogenic gloves).
  • Refrain from ordering large supplies of perishable materials if COVID-19 cases increase. 

  Vehicles:  COVID-19 Shared Vehicle Guidance

  • Prioritize shared vehicle transportation in the following order:
    • Individuals residing in the same housing unit should be transported in the same vehicle.
    • Individuals working in the same workplace should be transported in the same vehicle.
    • Individuals who do not share the same household or workplace should be transported in the same vehicle only when no other transportation alternatives are feasible.
  • Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must be provided with a face covering, which must be worn.
  • All passengers must wash hands or use hand sanitizer upon entering and after exiting the vehicle. Hand sanitizer with methyl alcohol are prohibited
  • Clean all high-touch surfaces (door handles, seatbelt buckle, armrests, steering wheel, shifter, etc.) to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Clean and disinfect if used by a COVID-19 case during the high-risk exposure period, when another individual will use the surface within 24 hours of the COVID-19 case. Make sure to allow the full contact time specified on the provided disinfectant label.  
  • All windows should be kept open, and do not use the A/C recirculated air option. 
    • Windows do not have to be kept open if one or more of the following conditions exist: (a) the vehicle has functioning air conditioning in use, and excessive outdoor heat would create a hazard to individuals; (b) the vehicle has functioning heating in use, and excessive outdoor cold would create a hazard to individuals; (c) protection is needed from weather conditions, such as rain or snow; (d) the vehicle has a cabin air filter in use, and the US EPA Air Quality Index for any pollutant is greater than 100.

  Early Childhood Services (CDPH: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Child-Care-Guidance.aspx)

  Day Camps and other supervised youth activities:

  • Complete this checklist and post it in the facility.

  Event Spaces (Indoors/Outdoors):

  • Follow face coverings are requirements as described in Face Covering section.
  • Consider providing sanitizer stations at all entrances and exits and backstage on each side.

  Mega Events (indoor events with 1,000 or more people and outdoor events with 10,000 or more people):

  • Examples: conventions, conferences, expos, concerts, shows, and nightclubs, sporting events, live events and entertainment, fairs, festivals, parades, large private events or gatherings, large races, marathons, and endurance events.

  • Effective April 1, 2022, attendees age 2 and older are strongly recommended for indoor mega events, or recommended for outdoor mega events, to provide proof that they are up to date with all recommended doses in their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines or have received a negative COVID-19 test (test must have been conducted in the last 1 day for an antigen test, or 2 days for a PCR test).

    • Attendees cannot self-attest to verify vaccination status or a negative test result.
  • Attendees must follow face covering requirements as described in Face Covering section.

  Employer-Provided Housing

  • Prioritize housing assignments in the following order:
    • Residents who usually maintain a household together outside of work, such as family members, shall be housed in the same housing unit without other persons.
    • Residents who work in the same crew or work together at the same workplace shall be housed in the same housing unit without other persons.
    • Employees who do not usually maintain a common household, work crew, or workplace shall be housed in the same housing unit only when no other housing alternatives are feasible.
  • Face coverings
    • Provide face coverings to all residents and provide information to residents on when they should be used per UC procedures, state or local health orders, or guidance.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting
    • Ensure housing units, kitchens, bathrooms, and common areas are effectively cleaned to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
    • Housing units, kitchens, bathrooms, and common indoor areas shall be cleaned and disinfected after a COVID-19 case was present during the high-risk exposure period if another resident will be there within 24 hours of the COVID-19 case.
    • Ensure that unwashed dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, and similar items are not shared.
  • Report COVID-19 symptoms by filling out the COVID Screening Check.
  • Establish, implement, and maintain effective policies and procedures for COVID-19 testing of residents who had close contact or COVID-19 symptoms.
  • COVID-19 cases  or close contact
    • Effectively quarantine residents who have had close contact with all other residents. Effective quarantine shall include providing residents who had close contact with a private bathroom and sleeping area.  The following are exempt from this requirement:
      • Fully vaccinated residents who do not have COVID-19 symptoms, and
      • COVID-19 cases who meet all the following (a) at least 24 hours have passed since a fever of 100.4°F, or higher has resolved without the use of fever-reducing medication, and (b) COVID-19 symptoms have improved, and (c) at least 10 days have passed since COVID-19 symptoms first appeared, and (d) have remained free of COVID-19 symptoms, for 90 days after the initial onset of COVID-19 symptoms or, for COVID-19 cases who never developed COVID-19 symptoms, for 90 days after the first positive test.
  • Effectively isolate COVID-19 cases from all residents who are not COVID-19 cases. Effective isolation shall include housing COVID-19 cases only with other COVID-19 cases and providing COVID-19 case residents with a sleeping area and bathroom that COVID-19 case residents do not share.

Contact

For more information or additional guidance, please contact:
Environmental Health & Safety
ehspublichealth@ucr.edu