An update on changes to Oxy's COVID testing protocols and masking requirements as we head into summer.
Dear Oxy Community,
As we finish the spring semester and head into summer, we want to inform you of upcoming changes to Oxy’s COVID testing protocols. As we have done throughout the year, the COVID Operations Group continues to consult with public health officials and our own medical experts as we determine health and safety protocols for our community.
Beginning on Tuesday, May 17:
- There will be no required surveillance testing
- Unvaccinated individuals must continue to test twice weekly
- Testing will remain open for those with symptoms and those who may have been exposed to COVID
- Any Oxy community member can still opt-in for testing
Operational changes to Oxy’s COVID testing protocols beginning Tuesday, May 17:
- COVID testing will move from the AGC to Emmons Wellness Center
- Summer testing days/hours will be limited to:
- Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. - 12 noon
Our testing protocols may evolve as we evaluate these new processes over the first few weeks of summer, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we assess our community needs.
Oxy’s current masking guidance remains in effect:
- Indoor masking is required in public spaces on campus. In places off campus where masking is not required indoors, it is still strongly recommended.
- Continue to wear a high quality mask (surgical, N95, KN95, or KN94)
- It is strongly recommended to wear a mask outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
We anticipate that there will be some relaxing of the masking rules over the course of the summer, but the timing and scope of that change has yet to be determined. COG will be reviewing and evaluating COVID positivity on campus weekly before making changes to masking guidelines.
One final note is that you may have noticed many of the tents around campus coming down this week. COG will continue to work with Academic Affairs over the summer to evaluate teaching and facility needs for fall.
Devon Sakamoto, Assistant Dean of Students for Emmons Wellness Center
COVID Operations Group (COG)
Harry J. Elam, Jr., President
Sharla Fett, Faculty Council President, Professor of American History
Rob Flot, Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students
Amos Himmelstein, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Nora Kahn, General Counsel
Devon Sakamoto, Assistant Dean of Students for Emmons Wellness Center
Marty Sharkey, Vice President of Communications & Institutional Initiatives
Wendy Sternberg, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College
James Uhrich, Vice President for Information Technology Services & Chief Information Officer