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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Dear Campus Community,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">As previously communicated, updated guidelines for the use of face coverings indoors will go into effect next Monday, April 11.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">While other UC campuses relaxed their requirements in March, UC Riverside’s Public Health Advisory Group recommended two additional weeks of required indoor masking after our return from Spring Break. The
Public Health Advisory Group is composed of Senate faculty with relevant experience and the medical director of Student Health Services.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The use of face coverings indoors will continue to be strongly recommended for all individuals who are up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, and required for all individuals in healthcare settings (e.g., Student
Health Services, UCR Health clinics). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#455A64"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">As April 11 is approaching, we would like to confirm and clarify a few additional details regarding the revised guidelines.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Who will still be required to wear a face covering indoors?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Anyone who is not up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations will be required to wear face coverings indoors while on campus.
<span style="color:black">Being up to date on vaccinations includes receiving all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any single booster dose when eligible (second boosters are not yet required by UC policy). If you have not yet
</span></span><a href="https://insideucr.ucr.edu/announcements/2022/02/14/reminder-submit-proof-covid-19-vaccination-booster"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">submitted your proof</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#455A64">
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">of vaccination or booster in the MyChart system, please do so as soon as possible.
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Can I impose stricter masking restrictions in my individual or group workspace?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Individuals or departments are not permitted to revise university face covering guidelines in campus spaces that they manage. This includes classrooms and research facilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Where can I obtain free masks?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Employees may request surgical or N95 masks
</span><a href="https://ehs.ucr.edu/coronavirus/facecoverings"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">online</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> from Environmental Health & Safety.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Will these guidelines change again?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white">This remains a fluid situation, and it’s possible that these and other health and safety guidelines will change in accordance with public health recommendations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white">What options are available to me if I’m immunocompromised?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Options remain in place for the spring quarter to support members of our community who are at higher risk. The
</span><a href="https://insideucr.ucr.edu/announcements/2022/03/11/updates-covid-19-guidelines"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">compassionate clause</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> allows faculty and staff members who live with children
under the age of 5 and do not attend school of daycare, or immunocompromised individuals, to teach and work remotely this quarter. In addition,
</span><a href="https://hr.ucr.edu/front/workplace-health-wellness/disability-management"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Disability Management</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> and the
</span><a href="https://sdrc.ucr.edu/"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Student Disability Resource Center</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> will continue to work with employees and students who may need a COVID-19-related accommodation.
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Throughout the pandemic, our campus community has had to adapt and re-adapt to new guidance from the CDC, California Department of Public Health, and Riverside County. We thank you for your continued flexibility,
patience, and understanding as we continue to navigate the complexities of the pandemic.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Elizabeth Watkins,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><br>
Gerry Bomotti,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Vice Chancellor for Planning, Budget, and Administration<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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