This is the first in our Back-to-School series. Stay tuned for a message about top tips to get ready for fall semester and a special Back-to-School Berkeley Life Roundup.
Dear undergraduate, graduate, and professional students,
We are reaching out today to provide an update on our COVID-19 mitigation measures for the Fall 2022 semester. We are pleased to report that many of our campus pandemic-related restrictions have eased since the last academic year. However, we still plan to rely on testing, vaccination, and masking to assist us with limiting the spread of the virus, especially if we hit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “high” community transmission level.
Testing
We will have vending machines with free COVID-19 PCR home saliva tests at select locations on campus (learn more). Anyone traveling within the past seven days, or engaging in high-risk activities, is encouraged to test – either through the PCR tests available at the vending machines or by at-home antigen tests.
Students living in on-campus housing (residential halls and apartments) will receive an over-the-counter rapid COVID test on their move-in day. We are requiring our on-campus residents to take a test soon after arriving, and to report back to University Health Services (UHS) only if they test positive. On-Campus residents should also refer to specific, detailed emails we are sharing with them.
Reporting a COVID Positive Case
If you test positive with a COVID test, immediately isolate at home and away from your roommates, and follow these instructions from UHS on what you need to do. Do not go to work or class until you have been cleared from isolation.
Any student experiencing symptoms or who may have been exposed to COVID-19 (or any students with concerns), please call the University Health Services (UHS) Advice Line 24/7 at 510-643-7197 for consultation or send a message through etang.berkeley.edu. For severe symptoms (shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting), call 911.
If you believe you have been exposed to COVID as a close contact, please follow these instructions from UHS.
Vaccinations
COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster shots, are still required per University of California policy (PDF).
For those who are fully vaccinated and boosted or vaccinated but not yet eligible for a booster, regular surveillance testing is no longer required.
For those that are not fully vaccinated, or booster eligible but not yet boosted, or who have an approved exemption, weekly surveillance testing is required.
Masking
UC Berkeley is not currently requiring masks but continues to strongly recommend that masks be worn indoors. Free masks also continue to be available for pick-up on campus.
If you have questions or need additional information regarding COVID-19 at UC Berkeley, please visit the UC Berkeley COVID-19 Resource page at https://coronavirus.berkeley.edu.
We are looking forward to seeing you on campus soon, Bears! Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Sincerely,
Stephen C. Sutton, Ed.D
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Guy Nicolette, MD, CAQSM
Assistant Vice Chancellor
Anna Harte, MD
Medical Director
This message was sent to all undergraduate and graduate students.