UCOP COVID-19 booster mandate and return to on-site operations
January 10, 2022 •
The following message was sent to all UCOP employees on Jan. 5, 2022:
Dear Colleagues,
Happy New Year! I hope you were able to rest and restore during the winter break.
As we start 2022, I know that our future of work, return to on-site operations and COVID-19-related protocols are top of mind for many, and I am writing to share with you two important updates.
COVID-19 booster mandate
For the safety and well-being of the entire university community, UC’s systemwide COVID-19 Vaccination policy requires, with few exceptions, that all students, faculty and staff be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, including getting booster shots.
Consistent with this policy and President Drake’s recent message, UCOP employees eligible for a booster vaccination must obtain one by Jan. 31, 2022. Employees who are not yet eligible (due to timing of original vaccine dose(s)) must get a booster shot within 30 days of eligibility. Please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for information on who is eligible for booster shots and when.
Being vaccinated, including boosters, and wearing appropriate masks remains our best defense against the COVID-19 virus.
Reporting your COVID-19 booster shot
We are updating the UCOP COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker to accept information about boosters, and we will notify everyone when the tracker is available to upload an updated copy of your vaccination card and booster information. Please note that you will not be able to access a UCOP facility until your compliance with the new booster requirements is confirmed.
Approved employee medical and religious exceptions also apply to boosters. Employees who choose not to be vaccinated, and have no approved exemption, accommodation or deferral, potentially put others’ health at risk and may face disciplinary actions.
Return to on-site operations
The health and well-being of all staff remains our highest priority. We continue to monitor the pandemic situation closely and will follow guidance from the CDC, local public health officials, our own UC infectious disease experts, and other scientific sources.
As planned, we expect to begin our slow-build approach to returning to on-site operations on Jan. 31. However, we will provide more flexibility in the beginning to allow us to ensure our phased return is appropriately calibrated with how COVID infection rates are trending. This includes adjusting our office population density as circumstances warrant.
The UCOP Operations team is working with leadership at each UCOP location on specific return plans and COVID-19 protocols. Each UCOP location’s return process will be slightly different depending on the location’s operational and program needs. We will share more specifics about those plans in the coming weeks.
If you have questions, please talk with your manager or email ucop-covid19-response@ucop.edu.
As always, please continue to take care of yourself and your loved ones and be safe.
Rachael Nava
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
