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San Bernardino Community College District

Reopening Update - Frequently Asked Questions

Last modified at 11/29/2021 12:04 p.m.

SBCCD Reopening Update (11.29.21)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Download FAQs (PDF)

Regulatory Guidance

1.   What regulatory guidance is SBCCD following?

  • SBCCD is following the latest guidance and regulations issued from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Cal/OSHA.

2.   Which COVID-19 preventative measures does SBCCD require per the current guidance?

  • As of August 2, 2021, face coverings must be worn when indoors and on the campuses or District sites.
  • COVID-19 cases, or those in close contact with COVID-19, must report their status to the campus and District.
  • Contact tracing of COVID-19 cases must still be conducted.
  • Cleaning and disinfection of commonly-touched surfaces in campus buildings will continue.

In addition:

  • All SBCCD employees and students working and learning on campus are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 7, 2022 (see “COVID-19 Vaccines, #1”, below for more information).

Face Covering and N95 Mask Guidance

1.   Who is required to wear a face covering?

  • As of August 2, 2021, all individuals (students, faculty, staff, and visitors) are required to wear a face covering when indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
  • Indoor settings include being inside a building or in a work vehicle with at least one other person present. Those who are in a room by themselves are not required to wear a mask.

2.   California is not requiring colleges to enforce universal mask wearing.  Why is SBCCD taking this step?

  • On July 28th, CDPH updated its Guidance on the Use of Face Coverings to encourage all individuals to wear fae coverings when in indoor public settings. The CDC has also updated its guidance with recommendations to mask-up in K-12 schools and other settings. The District recognizes that COVID-19 cases in the County and State have increased sharply in recent weeks, and it is vital that everyone does their part to control the spread of the virus, particularly the more infectious Delta variant.

3.   Are individuals required to wear face coverings outdoors while on campus or District site?

  • Individuals are not required to wear face coverings while outdoors.
  • Per Cal/OSHA, it is recommended, but not required, that unvaccinated employees working outdoors wear face coverings where work duties require employees to be in close proximity (i.e., less than 6 feet from one another).

4.   What is considered an acceptable face covering?

  • Acceptable face coverings include cotton masks, bandanas, gaiters, and disposable (surgical) masks consisting of two or three layers.

5.   Will face coverings continue to be made available?

  • Yes, disposable and cloth face coverings will still be provided upon request.  Employees may ask their supervisors for face coverings.
  • Face coverings will also be provided to students on campus, contingent on available supply.

6.   Are employees required to wear an N95 mask?

  • Employees are not required to wear an N95 mask.

7.   Does an N95 mask provide greater protection than a regular face covering?

  • Yes, in the sense that N95 masks can block aerosolized droplets exhaled by individuals who are not wearing masks.  However, in areas where all individuals are wearing face coverings, the advantage of an N95 mask over a cloth face covering or disposable mask is diminished.

8.   Can employees request an N95 mask?

  • Yes, employees may request an N95 mask for use while working on site.
  • Employees may reach out to their supervisor to request an N95 mask.

9.     Will exemptions to mask-wearing be considered?

  • There may be limited and rare circumstances where those individuals with disabilities or certain medical conditions may not be able to wear a face covering.
  • Faculty and staff members should reach out to Human Resources Analyst, Janae Jacoby (jjacoby@sbccd.edu). Students may submit requests for exemptions via this link for Crafton Hills College, or this link for San Bernardino Valley College.
  • Requests for exemptions will be individually reviewed, and further clarifications and/or documentation may be requested.

10.     What should I do if I see an employee or student not wearing a mask?

  • Faculty and staff members with concerns regarding face covering use should consult with their supervisor. Students with concerns should report them at this link for CHC, or this link for SBVC.

SBCCD’s Vaccination Survey

1.    Do faculty and staff members still need to complete the SBCCD vaccination survey (if they have not already done so)?

  • Yes. Cal/OSHA regulations require the collection of employee vaccination data, regardless of conditions surrounding the use of face coverings.

2.     Who is required to complete the vaccination survey?

  • All faculty and staff members, and Professional Experts, are required to complete the vaccination survey.

3.     Where can I find the vaccination survey?

4.     Will my response to the survey be kept confidential?

  • Yes, all responses will be kept confidential.

5.    I received my first Pfizer/Moderna vaccine shot and I am waiting to receive my second dose. Am I fully vaccinated?

  • You are not considered fully vaccinated until two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks after receiving the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
  • There is an option on the survey to indicate that you will be considered fully vaccinated as of a future date (date specified by the employee).

6.    Am I required to get a booster shot to be considered fully vaccinated?

  • Not at this time. You are considered fully vaccinated once you are two weeks past your las dose of the initial series of vaccine.

7.    Do I have to get the same brand vaccine booster shot as my original vaccination shots?

  • No, you do not. The CDC allows for the mixing of vaccine brands in the administering of booster shots.

COVID-19 Vaccines

1.   What is the District’s vaccination policy for employees?

  • Requiring vaccines is an important aspect of our return to campus and is critical to reducing the spread of the virus.  Vaccinations offer an added measure of safety, especially in office spaces, residential communities, and classroom settings where members of our community congregate. 
  • Therefore, the District requires a full course of COVID-19 vaccination for all faculty and staff who come onto District/College campuses, with certain pathways for exemptions. Those who meet exemption criteria will continue to be subject to weekly COVID-19 testing requirements and strict health and safety protocols. For more information, see the Employee Vaccination Policy.

2.   Will students, faculty and staff members be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine prior to returning to campus or District site?

  • Effective January 7, 2022, all SBCCD employees and students participating in on-site, in-person working and learning must provide evidence of fully-vaccinated status, with limited exceptions.  Please refer to Resolution #2021-09-23-FPC-01 (accessible via the SBCCD COVID-19 web page).

3.  How do I apply for a medical exemption or for a religious or personal belief accommodation (Employees Only)?

  • If you believe you need an accommodation/exemption regarding this policy, you are responsible for requesting a reasonable accommodation/exemption by submitting an exemption form.

     

Medical Exemption

Employees may request a medical exemption due to a disability or serious medical condition. The medical exemption, will require documentation provided by a licensed medical provider requesting an exemption due to a disability or serious medical condition.  

OR

Religious Exemption

Employees may request a religious exemption if they have a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance that conflicts with the District’s requirement that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

OR 

Personal Belief Exemption

Employees may request a personal belief exemption if they have a personal belief, practice, or ethical belief that conflicts with the District’s requirement that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

4.    I heard that the State of California is now requiring teachers and other school workers to be vaccinated, or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.  Does this mandate apply to SBCCD?

  • The State’s Public Health Officer Order issued on August 11th only applies to K-12 schools.  Institutes of higher education, including SBCCD, are exempt from the order.
  • SBCCD staff and faculty members working at K-12 schools (as part of SBCCD employment) may be subject to this order. If this applies to you, please consult with your supervisor for additional information.

5.    I have previously been diagnosed with COVID-19. Am I exempt from this requirement?

  • Depending on your individual health background, you may be eligible for a temporary Exemption on medical grounds for up to 90 days following your diagnosis or certain treatments. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, however, “a positive result from an antibody test does not mean you have a specific amount of immunity or protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection … Currently authorized SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests are not validated to evaluate specific immunity or protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection.” For this reason, individuals who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or had an antibody test are not permanently exempt from vaccination. Exemption request forms can be accessed and submitted here: www.shawhrconsulting.com/SBCCD

6.    Where are the COVID-19 vaccination sites closest to me?

  • As of October 28th, 2021, here are the closest vaccination sites to the campuses:                                          (“State,” “County,” or “VA” denotes the entity hosting the site.)
    • Middle College High School (County)
      • 1260 W. Esperanza St., San Bernardino
      • Sun-Thurs, 10 am – 6 pm
      • Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson
    • Yucaipa – Yucaipa Senior Center (County)
      • 12202 First St., Yucaipa
      • Tues-Sat, 10 am – 6 pm
      • Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson
    • San Bernardino County Health Center (County)
      • 606 E. Mill St., San Bernardino
      • Mon-Fri, 8 am – 4 pm
      • Moderna
      • For this site only: To schedule your appointment, call (800) 722-4777.
    • Rialto – Carl Johnson Center (County)
      • 214 N. Palm Ave., Rialto
      • Mon-Fri, 10 am – 6 pm
      • Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson
    • Ayala Park Community Center (County)
      • 18313 Valley Blvd., Bloomington
      • Tues-Sat, 10 am – 6 pm
      • Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson
    • VA Loma Linda (VA – Veterans & Spouses)
      • 11201 Benton St., Loma Linda
      • Mon-Fri, 7 am – 3 pm
      • Walk-ins accepted: Mon-Fri, 7 am – 2pm
      • Appointments preferred
  • Walk-ins are generally allowed for County sites, however, appointments are strongly encouraged.
  • Additional vaccine locations are available on the State’s COVID-19 web page.
  • For the most up-to-date list of vaccination locations, and to register for testing at a County-hosted site, VA site, or local pharmacy, visit the SB County’s COVID-19 web page or the State’s COVID-19 web page.
  • On-campus vaccination events will also be made available.  Please stay tuned for updates via email.

7.    Is there a cost associated with COVID vaccines?

  • COVID-19 vaccines are provided free of charge.  You may be asked to provide your health-insurance information, but you will not be turned away if you do not have insurance.
  • Your primary healthcare provider may also provide COVID-19 vaccinations free of charge.

COVID-19 Testing

1.    What steps do I take to weekly test?

  • Testing for employees is under development and will be announced in the next few weeks.

2.    If I am vaccinated, do I need to continue to test for COVID-19 weekly?

  • Employees who have completed a full course of vaccination are excused from testing.

3.    If I had a previous exemption from weekly testing, do I need to get tested weekly if I am unvaccinated?

  • Yes. No matter your prior exemption from testing (e.g., tested positive for antibodies, had COVID), if you are not vaccinated, you will need to complete a weekly COVID-19 test.

4.    What will be the process for reporting weekly test results for employees who are not vaccinated and how will the requirement be enforced?

  • Weekly test results will need to be recorded using the COVID Clinic Portal. More information to come on the COVID testing process. Failure to comply with the weekly testing requirement and/or falsely reporting a test taken will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

5.    Where are the COVID-19 testing sites closest to me?

  • As of October 28, 2021, here are the closest testing sites to the campuses:                                                   (“State” or “County” denotes the entity hosting the site.)
    • Colton – Gonzales Community Center (State)
      • 670 Colton Ave., Colton
      • Sun-Thurs, 10 am – 6 pm
    • Yucaipa – 7th Street Pool (State)
      • 12385 7th St., Yucaipa
      • Sun-Tues, 10 am – 6 pm
    • Yucaipa – Yucaipa Senior Center (County) 
      • 12202 First St., Yucaipa
      • Tues-Sat, 10 am – 6 pm
    • Rialto – Carl Johnson Center (County)
      • 214 N. Palm Ave., Rialto
      • Mon-Fri, 10 am – 6 pm
    • Redlands – University of Redlands (University Hall) (County)
      • 1173 E. Brockton Ave., Redlands
      • Mon-Fri, 9:30 am – 5 pm
    • Loma Linda – Loma Linda Senior Center (County)
      • 25571 Barton Rd., Loma Linda
      • Mon-Fri, 10 am – 6 pm
  • Walk-ins are generally allowed for County sites, however, appointments are strongly encouraged.
  • For the most up-to-date list of testing locations, and to register for testing at a State or County-hosted site, visit the SB County’s COVID-19 web page.

6.    Is there a cost associated with COVID testing?

  • For State and County-hosted testing sites, COVID-19 tests are provided free of charge.  You may be asked to provide your health-insurance information, but you will not be turned away if you do not have insurance.
  • Your primary healthcare provider may also provide COVID-19 testing free of charge.
  • Please note that a number of private clinics offer PCR and/or antigen (“rapid”) tests, for a fee.  It is highly recommended that you call the clinic ahead of time to inquire about any applicable out-of-pocket costs.

Employee and Student Health Resources

1.    What mental health resources are available to faculty and staff members?

  • The District has contracted with Anthem to make the Employee Assistance Program available to all employees.  Faculty and staff members may access the EAP here with the login code “SISC”. We will also be hosting a number of events throughout the Fall semester to have forums for our health and wellness.

2.    What mental health resources are available to students?

COVID-19 Exposure, Reporting, and Contact Tracing

1.    What should I do if I believe I am exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19?

  • If you are a student, faculty member, or staff member/administrator who is showing COVID-19 symptoms, has been exposed to the virus, or received positive COVID-19 test results, please stay home and immediately inform your supervisor and HR by emailing covid19@sbccd.edu. Please provide the following information in the email:
    • Your full name
    • Contact phone number
    •  Last date on Campus
  • After the email is submitted, a member of the District’s response team will follow up with you to review the information and advise you of next steps.

2.    I may have been exposed to someone with or tested positive for COVID-19. What should I do?

  • If you are a student, faculty member, or staff member/administrator who is showing COVID-19 symptoms, has been exposed to the virus, or received positive COVID-19 test results, please stay home and immediately inform your supervisor/instructor and HR by emailing covid19@sbccd.edu. Please provide the following information in the email:  
    • Your full name
    • Contact phone number
    • Last date on Campus
  • A member of the District response team will contact you to review what you have submitted in the context of CDC guidance, both of which inform next steps.

3.    What Do I Do If an/a Employee/Student Informs Me They Have Been Diagnosed With COVID-19?

  • In the event the employee/student is not on campus when they receive the news:
    • Direct the employee/student to stay at home 
    • Notify Human Resources by emailing covid19@sbccd.edu, and they will get in contact with the Employee/Student.
  • In the event the employee is at work when the employee receives the news:
    • Send the employee/student home immediately
    • Notify Human Resources by emailing covid19@sbccd.edu, and they will get in contact with the Employee/Student.

4.    What are the procedures for someone who is vaccinated and asymptomatic, but who has been exposed to COVID-19?

  • Send an email to covid19@sbccd.edu, a District response team member will be in touch and go over next steps. For those who are asymptomatic and vaccinated, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines advise, and University policy requires, that the individual:
    • Wear a face covering at all times indoors around other people and outdoors within six feet of another person;
    • Test for COVID-19 three to five days after exposure; and
    • Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Under these specific circumstances, quarantine is not necessary.

5.    What Leave Options Are Available for employees to go and get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

  • Employees are given up to 8 paid hours to cover time for getting the vaccine or recovery from any side effects.  Please use the CO19 code on work reports if using this time.

6.    What should I do if I think I have COVID-19? 

7.    What are the criteria for reporting a COVID-19 case?

  • You must report if one of the following scenarios apply:
    • You are symptomatic for COVID-19;
    • You are asymptomatic for COVID-19 but took a COVID-19 test and tested positive;
    • You are asymptomatic for COVID-19 but were in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

8.    What is considered “close contact”?

  • “Close contact” is defined as being within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more.
  • The time period of 15 minutes may occur all at once, or cumulatively over a 24-hour period.

9.    What happens after a COVID-19 case is reported?

  • A staff member of District Human Resources or Environmental Health & Safety will follow up with the employee or student, respectively.

Events on Campus

1.    What is the latest CDPH guidance on large gatherings?

  • As of June 15th, physical distancing restrictions and capacity limits on events have been lifted.

2.    Are we allowed to schedule on-campus events, such as club meetings, fairs, tabling, etc.?

  • It is expected that many on-campus events will be allowed to resume with the latest CDPH guidance.  Please defer to guidance from your campus’s Administrative Services department for further direction.

Archived FAQs

1.    What happened to the previous “Color Tiers” (reopening stages)?

  • The previous reopening stages (Purple, Red, Orange, and Yellow) went away with the elimination of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy on June 15th. Some COVID-19 preventative measures remain in place.