To the UC Davis Community:

While we began winter quarter with much of our work being done and many classes being held remotely, we look forward to welcoming students, faculty and staff back to our Davis campus and classrooms, Monday, January 31, as planned.

We are closely following our COVID-19 data, as we have been every day since March 2020. The Davis campus has passed the peak of omicron infections reported by employees and students, with the positivity rate declining. We are moving in the right direction.

Testing

We are thankful so many of you stayed in town as we recommended. If you’re not in the area now, you should come back as soon as possible so you can receive your test results before January 31. Remember, everyone must have a negative COVID-19 test through our campus testing program before accessing campus facilities for the first time this quarter. If you are already here, please get tested this week to help avert long lines at the ARC next week. Our campus testing program is also offered through Healthy Davis Together in Davis, Woodland and West Sacramento.

For fully vaccinated students who live in residence halls: You are already required to undergo testing every seven days. As of January 31, if you have not received your booster shot, you must get tested every four days.

The testing requirements for all other students, faculty and staff remain unchanged: If you have received your first vaccine series, it’s every 14 days. If you are unvaccinated (with an approved exception), you must get tested every four days.

A PCR test (saliva-based like the one we administer, or nasal swab or nasopharyngeal swab) is the most accurate for asymptomatic testing and is the only kind accepted in our screening program. We do not accept the results of home antigen tests.

Masks

Reminder: In accordance with state, county and campus policy, everyone must wear a mask indoors (in most situations) and on mass transit. Unvaccinated people must also wear face coverings outdoors in crowded places.

While cloth face coverings still meet our requirement, we are following recent public health guidance to encourage students and employees to upgrade to N95 and KN95 masks if possible. If you are student, please contact your major department to learn how to get one. We have a limited supply at this time and can provide only one per student. Employees should contact their departments.

Instruction

We recognize that absences from courses are likely to be more common than usual this quarter. Given that, instructors of record have received a survey that allows them to opt in to a program that will support hiring student workers to record and upload lectures. If your instructor opts in, you will receive an email with more information.

Return to campus workplace

Staff may return to campus on January 31. Previously approved flexible work arrangements remain in place. Please follow our campus and public health guidelines and talk with your supervisor if you have questions.

A bright future

For answers to other questions, please see our Q&A about campus COVID-19 operations and our Campus Ready FAQ.

We know it’s been a tough start to winter quarter. We appreciate your patience and understanding. We are getting through this, together.