At ICR 2022, we are honoring the policies and guidelines set by our hosts at the University of California, Santa Barbara. This is a fully in-person conference, and in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within our community and to assist our students, faculty, and staff in managing the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the University has taken a number of actions and adopted a range of practices and protocols that we also insist on. Those guidelines are as follows:

Masking

With Santa Barbara County reporting ongoing COVID-19 community transmission, indoor masking in shared spaces on the UC Santa Barbara campus continues to be strongly encouraged, in alignment with the recommendations recently released by the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department. Masks are no longer required but are strongly encouraged in indoor shared spaces on campus, regardless of vaccination status, except when working alone in private offices. Universal masking is still required in high-risk settings such as healthcare facilities. Wear a well-fitting mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

Per Cal/OSHA, a face covering is a surgical mask, a medical procedure mask, a respirator worn voluntarily or a tightly woven fabric or non-woven material of at least two layers. A face covering has no visible holes or openings and must cover the nose and mouth. A face covering does not include a scarf, ski mask, balaclava, bandana, turtleneck, collar or single layer of fabric. A summary of California Department of Public Health and CDC face mask guidelines can be found on the Health & Wellbeing page.

Face masks, both surgical and N95, are available without charge for students, faculty, and staff at the UCEN Campus Store Customer Service desk and the A.S. Pardall Center, and at other locations on campus. UC Santa Barbara departments may receive larger quantities of masks by request.

Employees, students and campus visitors are required to follow the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards for the use of face coverings during an outbreak, and California Department of Public Health guidance for the use of face coverings in certain settings, including health care settings, public transit, indoor youth settings and mega events. 

Physical Distancing

Vaccinated individuals are not required to maintain a specific physical distance, whether indoors or outdoors. For non-vaccinated individuals, Cal/OSHA recommends the use of face coverings even outdoors when working within 6 feet of other people. 

Cleaning

Frequent hand washing and surface cleaning is recommended. Wash your hands often with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Disinfection should be performed in work areas where a COVID-19 exposure has been reported.

Building Readiness

In preparation for returning students, faculty, staff, and visitors, Facilities Management conducted an in-depth assessment and provided the following services to ensure the functionality of campus buildings:

• HVAC system assessment (full system operational testing: air handling units, filters, ducts, supply fans, dampers, registers and exhaust fans)

• Water system tested and flushed

• Installed hand sanitizing stations at all building entrances

• Installed hand sanitizing stations at the entrance of all General Assignment classrooms

• Installed and monitor COVID-19 building entrance signage

You can see more detailed reports on campus buildings on the Facilities Management site.

Symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild to severe and may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

Seek medical attention immediately if you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19. These include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse or bluish lips or face. Note: This list is not inclusive. Consult your health care provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person through exposure to respiratory fluids carrying infectious virus, mainly through inhalation of very fine respiratory droplets and aerosol particles produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.

Testing Clinics

To make testing on campus more convenient, the UCSB COVID-19 Testing Clinic is located in Building 434, Room 121, across the bike path from Storke Tower and marked with appropriate signage. Self-collection saliva testing kits are available for pick-up at various locations on campus. Testing appointments will still be made via the Student Health Patient Portal Gateway. Questions will still be answered through email at ucsb-covid19@ucsb.edu.

You can find more testing facilities off-campus and book any necessary appointments through COVIDClinic. We would also be happy to direct you to additional testing resources that meet your specific needs as best we can.

Positive Test or Suspected Exposure

Anyone in our campus community who suspects they have influenza or coronavirus should stay home. Regardless of your vaccination status, if you test positive for COVID-19 you must remain isolated for at least 5 days following your positive test result or for 5 days from the onset of symptoms, whichever starts earliest. Contact your health care providers for instructions about seeking care. It is important to call prior to arriving at the medical office so health professionals can provide information regarding your illness and plan for your visit, if necessary.

Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, suspects or knows that they have been exposed to the virus, or has traveled out of the state should follow the protocols listed on our information page. (Note: Quarantine and isolation guidelines are based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health.)

Visitors

Visitors and non-campus affiliates may be asked to complete the On Demand screening survey or the COVID-19 Screening for Minor Children. This survey produces clearance certificates that are emailed to the survey taker for use on campus when required. The On Demand Screening Survey also fulfills the requirements that campus visitors using our facilities must attest that their COVID-19 vaccines are up to date, or show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test. Visitors and non-campus affiliates should reference the university’s interim visitors protocol for additional information.

Travel Guidance

For those who must travel, medical experts and the UC Office of the President recommend following all California Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control guidelines. More details can be found in the Travel Advisories section of the Health & Wellbeing page.

Official Prevention Plan

The Office of Environmental Health & Safety has updated its COVID-19 Prevention Plan, an all-inclusive preparation plan for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 within the UC Santa Barbara community amid the campus’s gradual return to in-person instruction, research, operations and other activities.

More detailed information and updates are available online through the UCSB COVID-19 portal. Click the button below to be redirected: