This guidance document has been prepared by the UC Office of the President to provide standardized systemwide guidance concerning COVID-19 and to assist UC locations in issuing local procedures, should they wish to do so. The guidance applies to all UC locations, including campuses, UC health systems, Agriculture & Natural Resources and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
This guidance document provides information and recommendations to assist academic leaders, managers and supervisors in addressing concerns related to COVID-19. The virus[2] causing this illness is different from common coronaviruses that circulate among humans and cause mild illness, similar to the common cold. The recommendations below will help prevent its spread.
UC will act in accordance with all applicable public health directives and UC’s guidance, policies and regulations cannot conflict with public health orders.
For the latest information on travel warnings and UC-related updates, go to ucal.us/coronavirus
Questions/answers related to all members of the campus community
- What should leaders, managers and supervisors communicate to UC individuals concerning COVID-19?
- What should leaders, managers and supervisors communicate to UC individuals regarding travel to countries where a CDC Warning – Level 3 Travel Notice has been issued due to COVID-19?
- What should leaders, managers and supervisors communicate to UC individuals regarding travel to countries where there is an ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 respiratory illness but a Warning – Level 3 has NOT been issued due to COVID-19?
- What should leaders, managers and supervisors communicate to UC individuals already in a foreign country where a CDC Warning – Level 3 Travel Notice has just been issued due to COVID-19?
- What should leaders, managers and supervisors communicate to UC individuals returning from a country where there is an ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 respiratory illness?
- Should individuals who have, in the past 14 days, been to mainland China and DO NOT show signs of respiratory illness be permitted to return to normal on-site activities?
- What actions should a UC location take if individuals who have entered the U.S. after being in an affected geographic area within 14 days of symptom onset DO HAVE symptoms of respiratory illness?
- Should UC locations implement restrictions on individuals returning from locations outside of mainland China where there is an ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 respiratory illness?
- If a child is sick, may a UC-affiliated child care center refuse services to the child?
- Are there steps that leaders, managers and supervisors can take to prepare for an outbreak of COVID-19?
- Should UC Health locations, emergency services or EH&S departments distribute masks (i.e., N95 respirators) to any member of the UC community upon request?
Questions/answers related to employees
- What steps should be taken if an employee becomes ill with fever, cough or other concerning symptoms?
- Does the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or California Family Rights Act (CFRA) entitle an employee to take leave to avoid contracting COVID-19?
- Should UC require an employee who is out sick (not due to COVID-19) to provide a health care provider’s note?
- May UC prohibit an employee from coming to work if the employee is known to have had close contact with someone who has been confirmed to have COVID-19, or who has contracted COVID-19?
- Do the same leave policies apply to represented and non-represented employees?
- What signs and symptoms may indicate that an employee has become ill with COVID-19?
- What additional steps should be taken if an employee is suspected to be ill with COVID-19 at work?
- May UC require an employee who was possibly exposed to COVID-19 and directed to remain quarantined or practice social distancing, or an employee who contracted COVID-19, to provide certification from a health care provider before returning to work?
- Must UC grant leave to an employee who is sick with COVID-19?
- Must UC allow employees who are parents or caregivers time off from work to care for sick family members?
- Does the foregoing advice, with regard to leave, also apply to academic employees?
Questions/answers related to students
- May UC quarantine or isolate students who were possibly exposed to, or who have contracted, COVID-19?
- What steps should be taken before UC initiates quarantine or isolates students who have contracted SARS-CoV-2 or exhibit symptoms of COVID-19?
- May UC prohibit students who have possibly been exposed to, or who have contracted, COVID-19 from attending classes?
Questions/answers related to privacy and duty to report
- Is there a duty to report COVID-19 cases to state or local health authorities?
- What are the responsibilities of local and/or state health departments once they have been notified of a case of COVID-19?
- May student health care providers disclose personal information related to a student suspected to have, or known to have, COVID-19, without consent, as necessary to control the disease?
[1] COVID-19 (an acronym for coronavirus disease 2019) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). That virus was assigned the temporary designation of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Because of the large number of publications and guidance documents produced, the virus may still be referred to by its temporary designation in some references.
[2] SARS-CoV-2