This morning, Alameda County moved back into the Purple tier. A copy of the ACPHD press release can be seen here. The impact on the college will be minimal as all classes have been online since the Fall quarter and will continue online through the Winter quarter. Our current Phase 3-staffing levels will remain the same. Labs and other technique instruction and practice will continue on campus in line with the tier provisions. The Health Center is not impacted and will continue to operate in the same way it is currently.
Guidance from the California Department of Public Health for Institutions of Higher Education provides for the following:
- Self-screen at home using the college’s online screening form, and student screening form, and stay at home if experiencing any symptoms
- Options have been provided for staff and faculty who are at higher risk for severe illness to limit their exposure to risk, including telework and virtual meetings
- Masks must be worn at all times except for staff working in a single occupancy office. Further guidance on the California state mask mandate issued yesterday can be seen here
- Maintain physical distancing of a minimum of six feet
- Frequently wash hands, use hand sanitizer
- Sanitize all desks, chairs, work spaces, lab tables and equipment frequently using the equipment provided at the sanitation stations
- Use of shared objects (eg., lab equipment, computer equipment, desks) should be limited where possible
- In all campus teaching spaces, all chairs and desks must remain at least six feet apart. Please do not move the furniture
- Lectures will be online with labs and other technique instruction and practice using campus spaces with appropriately distanced and sanitized furniture and equipment
- External non-college related groups or organizations may not hold events on campus (Board Exams and Board Reviews are exempt as they are college related groups and deemed necessary for degree advancement)
- Currently open study spaces for individual study will continue to be available with students seated at least six feet apart and the room capacity limited to 25%
- Student lounges and the fitness center will remain closed, the gym remains a technique lab space
- If food is offered at any event, use pre-packaged boxes or bags for each attendee instead of a buffet or family-style meal
- Cafe (and patio) will remain open until Thanksgiving serving grab and go and individually plated meals
- Student events should be virtual where possible. On campus gatherings are prohibited. All club meetings other than technique and hands-on learning clubs, should be virtual
- Rugby scholarship student training can continue subject to the agreed training plan – always wearing masks, maintaining social distance, no contact and no shared equipment
- Athletics and sports clubs must have an activity specific safety and compliance plan authorized and approved by the Athletics Director prior to any off-campus activity
COVID-19 Care Packages: The college is distributing COVID-19 Care Packages to all employees. These include hand sanitizer, face masks and wristbands along with safety tips on how to protect yourself on and off campus. If you have not received your package, please contact Stacy Huber (front desk) or Julie Truong (HR).
The Human Resources Department will continue working with employees who have special circumstances related to COVID-19, on a case-by-case basis.
If you have any questions or feedback you would like to share, please email us at taskforce@lifewest.edu.