Re: Face Covering Guidance
To: All campus
February 11, 2022

Dear Bobcats,
 
Like Merced County, UC Merced has seen COVID-19 positivity rate and case counts decrease each week since the height of the omicron surge. We appreciate everyone’s efforts in complying with the campus protocols of the daily symptom checker, getting your vaccine and booster if eligible, following asymptomatic testing requirements, and continuing to mask when indoors.
 
You may be aware that the State of California is lifting its mandate for fully vaccinated persons to mask indoors. Beginning Feb. 16, the state will require indoor masking only for unvaccinated individuals, as well as universal masking (both vaccinated and unvaccinated) only in specified settings. 
 
While this is a positive step, UC Merced’s executive directive on COVID measures will continue to remain in place beyond Feb. 16. This means that universal masking is required in all indoor settings while on UC Merced property, for all students, staff, faculty and visitors for the foreseeable future. 
 
With the expectation that our local public health situation will continue to improve within the next month to 60 days, we are evaluating our mitigation measures with the intention of relaxing measures when advisable.  
 
For the most up to date information on the campus COVID-19 response efforts, please visit the Do Your Part site.

Sincerely,

Andrew Boyd
Chief Resilience Officer