COVID Workplace Requirements
Sent 6/7/2021
Good morning Valued Team Members,
As we continue bringing employees back to working on campus, we are providing the following reminders to keep you and others in our campus community safe and healthy. The Returning to Campus (Return to Work) Guide, updated 6/7/2021, is attached for your review and reference.
Please note that although you may hear of changes in the news regarding mask wearing (indoors and out) and social distancing, we would like to remind you that the workplace is governed by the regulations provided by Cal/OSHA. Many, if not most, of the changes that have been enacted do not apply to the workplace.
Several critical items remain unchanged:
- Face coverings are still required in all common areas. Please note that cubicles ARE common areas, according to Cal/OSHA and masks must be worn. Even if you are able to remain six feet away from others, masks must be worn in these shared/common spaces. Unless you are in an office alone where a door can be shut, wear a mask.
- Daily self-checks must still be performed to assist with contact tracing, regardless of vaccination status.
- Vaccinations are available via the County of Riverside and our Student Health Center – free of charge. For locations visit COVID-19 Vaccine (rivcoph.org). Learn more about the benefits of getting vaccinated.
As we await updated guidance, we are required to enforce the current rules. We certainly hope that the State and Cal/OSHA update their guidelines in the upcoming weeks to allow more flexibility for employers, but for now it is status quo. In last week’s Cal/OSHA Board meeting, the Board voted to not change mask and social distancing requirements across the board for employers. In fact, they recommended to extend mask wearing into October 2021. The Governor has indicated that he is “opening” California as of 6/15, yet there he has recently indicated that certain mandates will remain in place. Changes may occur in the future, but until then, keep those masks on.
We are all weary of the restrictions to our lives that have been implemented as a result of the pandemic, but please bear with us until these rules are relaxed. We promise to keep employees updated when changes occur that impact us at the workplace. We will be happy to report that day that we can remove our masks. Until then, keep those masks on, keep sanitizing and hand washing, and maintain your social distance. The Return to Work Guide can help you navigate our most current processes and procedures.
As in months past, the Guide will be updated as related guidelines change and we will communicate any changes related to the workplace.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the COVID-19 Taskforce - Ann Jensen (ajensen@msjc.edu), Nicole Piña (npina@msjc.edu), or Jeannine Stokes (jstokes@msjc.edu).
We truly appreciate your compliance, cooperation, and patience!
Ann Jensen, MBA
Director of Risk Management