UC Berkeley Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates and resources

Friday, July 16, 2021 – 7:30 p.m.

With COVID-19 cases rising locally, Bay Area county and City of Berkeley health authorities announced Friday that they are again recommending that everyone resume wearing face coverings while in indoor public places like grocery or retail stores, theaters, and family entertainment centers regardless of vaccination status to ensure easy verification that all unvaccinated people are masked in those settings and as an extra precautionary measure for all.

In light of this guidance, campus units are authorized to require that face coverings be worn in indoor facilities that serve students and/or the general public. As has been previously communicated, vaccinated employees may choose to wear a face covering at any time.

The advisory does not recommend changes to the campus face covering requirements for employees generally because the campus is an employer that verifies vaccination status.

The City of Berkeley Health Advisory can be read here.

Friday, July 16, 2021 – 11 a.m.

On Thursday, the University of California released the final COVID-19 vaccine policy, with the effective date for policy compliance Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, two weeks before the UC Berkeley fall term begins.

To comply with the policy, all students, faculty and staff should upload a record of their vaccination to eTang if you received it at an off-campus vaccination site.

The policy allows for exceptions to COVID-19 vaccination based on a medical exemption, disability accommodation, or religious objection; pregnant individuals may also request a deferral if they wish for the duration of the pregnancy. Forms and the process for submitting documentation can be found on the COVID-19 requirements webpage.

Unvaccinated individuals with approved exemptions or accommodations may come to campus with the requirement that they remain masked in all public settings and comply with the campus testing plan, which at a minimum will be weekly. Those that are in the process of being vaccinated are also required to remain masked and comply with the testing requirements until fully vaccinated.

Those that are not compliant with the UC vaccine policy by Aug. 4, either with an approved exception or vaccination, may be restricted from some campus access (other than housing).

University Health Services continues to hold on-campus vaccine clinics that are open to all students, faculty and staff either through pre-booked appointments on eTang or by drop-in. In August, large-scale vaccine clinics will be held for those students returning to campus that still have Mandatory TB and Immunization Requirements and/or need a COVID-19 vaccine.

Monday, July 12, 2021 – 9 a.m.

The new face-covering requirements are now in effect.

For fully vaccinated individuals, face coverings are optional, indoors or outdoors.
For unvaccinated individuals, face coverings are required indoors unless you are alone in a room with the door closed. Individuals with an approved medical or religious exemption are still required to wear a face covering while indoors.
For unvaccinated individuals, face coverings are optional outdoors.